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Blue Angels Cancel Dayton Air Show Appearance

The U.S. Air Force F-22 Raptor is one of the flying attractions that will perform at this year's air show.
Dayton Air Show
The U.S. Air Force F-22 Raptor is one of the flying attractions that will perform at this year's air show.

The Blue Angels will be absent from this year’s Dayton Air Show. The fan favorites have decided not to perform at several air shows, including Dayton's, after last week’s tragic crash in Tennessee—losing one of their own—Marine Captain Jeff Kuss, also known as Blue Angel #6.

The U.S. Air Force F-22 Raptor is one of the flying attractions that will perform at this year's air show.
Credit Dayton Air Show
The U.S. Air Force F-22 Raptor is one of the flying attractions that will perform at this year's air show.

Roger Doctor is the Public Safety Director for the Dayton Air Show. He says the flying unit needs time before performing again.

“The Blues are such a tight knit group. I mean, they spend about three hundred days a year together eating, sleeping, what have you, that the tragic loss of one of their team members has put them in a position where, until they can be both mentally and physically strong, it is in the best interest to not fly," he said.

Air show officials were notified by the U.S. Navy that they would send a single F-18 to perform – that’s the same kind of plane flown by the Blue Angels but it will not be piloted by one.

The 42nd annual Vectren Dayton Air Show is June 18 and 19. It will feature more than 24 military aircraft displayed on the ground and other flying attractions. 

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Jerry Kenney was introduced to WYSO by a friend and within a year of first tuning in became an avid listener and supporter. He began volunteering at the station in 1991 and began hosting Alpha Rhythms in February of 1992. Jerry joined the WYSO staff in 2007 as a host of All Things Considered and soon transitioned into hosting Morning Edition. In addition to now hosting All Things Considered, Jerry is the host and producer of WYSO Weekend, WYSO's weekly news and arts magazine. He has also produced several radio dramas for WYSO in collaboration with local theater companies. Jerry has won several Ohio AP awards as well as an award from PRINDI for his work with the WYSO news department. Jerry says that the best part of his job is being able to talk to people in the community and share their experiences with WYSO listeners.