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St. George • There will be thunder over southern Utah when the U.S. Navy's Blue Angels precision flying team performs aerial acrobatics at the St. George airport on March 17-18.
"Utah is a place we always wanted to fly so when the opportunity was available we took it," said Blue Angels team member Lt. Cmdr. Todd Royles, who flew into St. George on Tuesday for a news conference about the upcoming performance and to finalize logistics.
Royles said the team wants to make sure everything from lodging and transportation to security and open air space are in place for the pilots, who travel with a 55-member support team and a C-130 plane nicknamed "Fat Albert."
The Blue Angels, based in Pensacola, Fla., perform 35 times between March and November each year in cities around the country. St. George will be the second show of the season this year.
Tickets are $20 for adults, free for children 15 years and younger if purchased in advance at thunderoverutah.com. Tickets will also be sold on performance days for $25. All money from ticket sales is donated to charity.
Royles said the flying team is made up of six blue and gold F-18 Hornets that are 20 years old but cared for meticulously by mechanics and others with the support crew. In addition to performing for crowds, the team is a good recruiting tool for all the armed forces, he said.
"We represent all the troops defending this great nation," said Royles. "We hope to inspire others to follow in our footsteps."
Lt. Mark Tedrow, who piloted the two-seat F-18 into St. George on Tuesday, said he has been on the team for a year. Most members serve on the team from two to three years. Tedrow said he was chosen from a field of 50 to 60 applicants, and the appointment was a dream come true for him.
"When I was a kid I remember seeing the Blue Angels from my backyard and told myself that's what I want to do," he said. "I still pinch myself every morning to make sure I'm not dreaming."
Tedrow, who has been flying for the Navy since 2004, said Blue Angel pilots must have served in combat aboard an aircraft carrier. Tedrow said he served two tours of duty flying over Afghanistan.
Kevin Walsh, the air show director, said more than 35,000 people are expected for the two-day event. In addition to the Blue Angels, the shows will feature a wing walker and a P-51 Mustang, an aircraft that gained fame during World War II.
Walsh said the Mustang will take part in a re-enactment of a World War II battle featuring American and Nazi troops, tanks and other armored vehicles. Other performances will be announced on the event's website.
St. George Mayor Dan McArthur said the event will showcase the city's year-old airport.
"It shows you that you don't need a big metro area [airport] to have a show like this," he said. "People should really come out and see it. It's an opportunity we've never had before in our area."
Angels visit Utah
P The Navy's Blue Angels precision flying team will perform March 17-18 at the St. George municipal airport. General admission tickets are $20 for adults, free to children 15 years and younger, if purchased in advance at thunderoverutah.com. Tickets are $25 on performance days.