[smartd]

..................They're the ones who ignored the Navy's advice concerning development around the base; as a result Oceana's going to be closed in the not too distant future. Although Oceana survived BRAC 2005, the Navy has put the city on notice that Oceana cannot meet projected mission requirements due to the encroachment. It's gone, probably within the next 20 years. The Navy is looking around for a site for a new Master Jet Base to replace it........


Rush... that's a bummer, VA Beach was one place I had envisaged retiring.... Oceana, Norfolk NAS, Langley, Fort Eustis, Elizabeth City .... fabulous place for anyone interested in aviation/military

[Rush104]

Originally Posted by smartd

..................They're the ones who ignored the Navy's advice concerning development around the base; as a result Oceana's going to be closed in the not too distant future. Although Oceana survived BRAC 2005, the Navy has put the city on notice that Oceana cannot meet projected mission requirements due to the encroachment. It's gone, probably within the next 20 years. The Navy is looking around for a site for a new Master Jet Base to replace it........


Rush... that's a bummer, VA Beach was one place I had envisaged retiring.... Oceana, Norfolk NAS, Langley, Fort Eustis, Elizabeth City .... fabulous place for anyone interested in aviation/military

Yes, it is a bummer. VB was a great place to grow up. In the neighborhood I grew up in, we were on the border with Norfolk. I used to see the planes taking off out of Norfolk International, planes going in to land at Norfolk NAS, and less frequently, planes on their way to Oceana and (going the other direction) to Langley. I have many fond memories of Crusaders, Tomcats, Phantoms, F-106s, and Virginia ANG F-105s going over the neighborhood. I used to see a fair share of out of towners, too, like the good old Argus dropping down to Norfolk. But three of the most memorable were an F-104 in 1976 (turned out to be one from Luke-saw it on the ground at the Langley air show a couple of days later); a Vulcan leaving Norfolk after an airshow in 1982; and one of the Space Shuttles being ferried on the 747 back to Florida.
Also, I used to see lots of airplanes flying north or south, going over the house. These planes were way up there, they were definitely not coming into or leaving any of the bases close by. Steppng out into the backyard on a cool crisp fall day with a pair of binoculars was a great form of entertainment. You never knew what you might see!
While I have my issues with VB today, looking back, it was a fantastic place (especially for an airplane nut) to grow up in.
Hope I don't come across as bitter. But, I for one will sure hate to see Oceana close. At any rate, I will be out of VB before it goes.

[smartd]

Rush, it sure is a fantasic place. Always started my airshow season with Norfolk NAS in April for the Azeala Festival and ended it with Oceana. I always figured those 2 weeks holiday made my Canadian summer that much longer. My wife in the early days and subsequent other significant others also fell in love with the place. The changes over the years have not all been kind and have certainly made it a very busy place. But we always had fast movers to entertain us. Shot lots of film there over the years.
Fort Story has always been my favourite hangout to chill in the sun, but even that has changed since 9/11
Finally made the Christmas lights on the beach in 2005... had always wanted to do that... way cool.

[Rush104]

Originally Posted by smartd

Rush, it sure is a fantasic place. Always started my airshow season with Norfolk NAS in April for the Azeala Festival and ended it with Oceana. I always figured those 2 weeks holiday made my Canadian summer that much longer. My wife in the early days and subsequent other significant others also fell in love with the place. The changes over the years have not all been kind and have certainly made it a very busy place. But we always had fast movers to entertain us. Shot lots of film there over the years.
Fort Story has always been my favourite hangout to chill in the sun, but even that has changed since 9/11
Finally made the Christmas lights on the beach in 2005... had always wanted to do that... way cool.

Right on!
Yeah, one thing this place has always had was good airshows. It used to be that the Blues would fly both Norfolk and Oceana in the same season; nowadays I think they only make it to one of the two during the season, and they alternate. That's OK, it gives us a chance to see somebody different headline at the other show. I really liked seeing the Snowbirds the year they headlined Oceana.
If you ever get a chance to catch a Langley airshow, I'd recommend it. I haven't been to an airshow at Langley in years; I have yet to see the F-22 fly its demo.
I did learn to bring some cold weather gear to the Oceana shows. In 1995, the Blues performed there. I had family from Pennsylvania down, so I took them to see the show. What started out as a 70 something degree day degenerated down into the low fifties a couple of hours later. I've never been to an airshow where my teeth chattered. I've had bones shaken and eardrums rattled, but never teeth chattering!
Speaking of beautiful places, I'd like to retire somewhere around Comox...

[Shawn 507]

I just have one question. What sort of vet doesn't recognize the missing man formation???

[SKUNKY]

Originally Posted by Shawn 507

I just have one question. What sort of vet doesn't recognize the missing man formation???

...a blind one?????....

[gbeck]

Skunky,

Even a blind one wouuld recognize the formation from the noise and stand to salute!

GBeck

[skidmarksdiecast]

Originally Posted by Shawn 507

I just have one question. What sort of vet doesn't recognize the missing man formation???

Betcha he was the personal chef for some admiral.