Blue Angels to return to Bethpage Air Show

The 2012 Memorial Day weekend Jones Beach air show will feature the U.S. Navy Blue Angels and another military precision-flying team after the lack of a traditional headliner this year resulted in a steep dive in attendance.

The Blue Angels will return to the state park after a two-year absence, along with the Royal Canadian Air Force Snowbirds, who last performed three years ago.

The Blue Angels and Air Force Thunderbirds had alternated appearances at the event since the show started in 2004. But last year, the Air Force sent the Thunderbirds, who were next up in the rotation, to an air show in Turkey instead.

The absence of a headliner precision team and the cancellation of a scheduled appearance by an Air Force F22 Raptor Stealth Fighter because the planes were grounded with mechanical issues disappointed or confused the public, said George Gorman Jr., deputy regional director for the state Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation.

"A lot of people thought there was no air show," he said. Only 251,000 people attended over the two days, compared with 356,000 the previous year.

The Bethpage Air Show, sponsored by Bethpage Federal Credit Union, will be Saturday, May 26, and Sunday, May 27, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Among the other participants are the U.S. Army Golden Knights Parachute Team, the American Airpower Museum Warbirds, Navy F18 Super Hornet, 106th New York Air National Guard Rescue Demo Wing HC-130/HH-60 and the Geico Skytypers.

The show is free with the $10 vehicle-entrance fee.