March 29, 2024

Pax River Set for Weekend Air Show

Air Expo

Despite the absence of the Blue Angels, the Patuxent River Naval Air Station Air Expo 2016 will be held as planned on Oct. 29 and 30, and there will be lots to see and experience.

The Blue Angels announced recently that they would not be able to perform at NAS Patuxent River this year. However, the Air Expo is a popular event and Pax River officials decided to hold the expo anyway. There will be plenty to see and do at the expo.

air show Pax River

The planes that trained World War II Navy pilots return to Naval Air Station Patuxent River to thrill spectators with a breathtaking demonstration of precision combat maneuvers that helped define the Greatest Generation. The team’s six vintage SNJ training aircraft will roar over air show crowds in an 18-minute, low-level precision-flying demonstration honoring the US armed forces.

There will be both military and civilian acts, such as the US Air Force F-22 Raptor demonstration team performing precision aerial maneuvers in the Air Force’s newest fighter aircraft; the US Army Black Daggers Special Operations Command parachute demonstration team showcasing their aerial acrobatics skill and precision; the Geico Skytypers’ low-level precision flying act; Nalls Aviation’s first flyable privately owned FA-2 Sea Harrier; “Panchito,” a WWII B-25J; Clemens Kuhlig and his iconic Pitts S1S airplane; former astronaut and Navy test pilot Joe Edwards in his T-28; Manfred Radius’ quiet and elegant sailplane performance; and Scott Francis’ MXS stunt plane; static displays; and more.

Visitors will be able to look inside the bomb bay of the Panchito at the exact replicas of the bombs and count the machine guns. Panchito appears today exactly as the original Panchito did on Okinawa during summer 1945 carrying out bombing missions over Japan.

Information about all the performers and static displays is available on the expo website.

The gates to the show will open at 8 am each day and close at 5 pm. Full schedule information is available on the expo website.

Visitors to the expo will not be allowed to bring large bags, large backpacks, or ice chests to the event. No outside food or drink is allowed. Bags will be checked at the entry points. For comfort, expo planners suggest wearing comfortable shoes for lots of walking and wearing sunscreen.

Traffic Impacts

Communities surrounding the naval air station are advised that increased traffic in and around the basecan be expected due to the air show from Friday, Oct. 28, to Sunday, Oct. 30, between the hours of 11 a.m. and 6 p.m.

Traffic flow surrounding the installation will be impacted in the following areas Saturday, Oct. 29, and Sunday, Oct. 30:

Intersection of Pegg Road and Route 235 in Lexington Park, MD – Drivers coming from Pegg Road will be directed north or south on Route 235; no access to NAS Pax River Gate 1 from Pegg Road. 

Following the Air Expo completion for the day on Oct. 29 and 30, traffic leaving from NAS Pax River Gate 1 will be directed north on Route 235 only; no access to Pegg Road from Gate 1. 

Following the Air Expo completion for the day Oct. 29 and 30, traffic leaving from NAS Pax River Gate 2 will be allowed access to Great Mills Road or south on Route 235; no right turn north on Rt. 235 from Gate 2.

For more information about Pax River Air Expo 2016 and its performers, visit the website.

For more about Lexington Park, visit the community’s Leader member page.

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