‘Fat Albert’ Resumes Zero G Maneuvers at Extreme Blue Thunder Air Show - East Idaho News
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‘Fat Albert’ Resumes Zero G Maneuvers at Extreme Blue Thunder Air Show

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The following is a news release from the Extreme Blue Thunder Air Show.

IDAHO FALLS — After being decommissioned for maintenance during the 2016 airshow season, we are thrilled to announce that the U.S. Navy Blue Angels’ C-130 Hercules, affectionately called “Fat Albert,” will be back performing zero g maneuvers in Idaho Falls on July 22-23.

Fat Albert is the U.S. Navy Blue Angels’ workhorse. A Marine Corps crew of three pilots and five enlisted aircrew flies the 24-year-old aircraft. It flies more than 100,000 miles during airshow season to deliver 45 maintenance and support personnel as well as their equipment to 35 airshows across the country each year. If equipment breaks during the air show, Fat Albert travels to the nearest supply point to gather supplies and get the aircraft back in the air by the following day.

Lockheed’s C-130 Hercules began flying in the 1950s. The aircraft has the longest continuous production run of any military aircraft. Marine Maj. Mark Hamilton, a native of Becker, Minnesota, will fly Fat Albert. Maj. Hamilton attended Purdue University in West Lafayette, Indiana and was selected for the Blue Angels in 2014.

The 2017 Extreme Blue Thunder Air Show will be held at the Idaho Falls Regional Airport on Skyline Drive. The show will feature the U.S. Navy’s Blue Angels and the U.S. Air Force’s F-35 Heritage Flight Team accompanied by the P-51 Mustang. Other performers include Brad Wursten, Julie Clark & her SMOKIN’ MENTOR T-34 Aerobatic Team, and a local favorite Driggs’ Mig Fury Fighters.

RELATED | DRIGGS GROUP TO PERFORM AT IDAHO FALLS AIR SHOW

Ticket prices from June 1-July 21 are $25 for adults and $15 for children. Tickets will be available at the gate for $30 for adults and $15 for children. Children (ages 5 & under) are free.

Tickets are available online. Tickets can also be purchased with cash or credit card at all Westmark Credit Union locations. Pricing for tickets purchased at Westmark will be identical to the prices available online. After operating costs, proceeds from the air show will be donated to local non-profit organizations.

CLICK HERE FOR TICKET INFORMATION

Each ticket is good for one day, either July 22 or July 23, but not both days. Gates open at 9 a.m. on both days. Static displays, vendors and merchandizing will be available throughout the day. The show concludes around 4:30 p.m. To ensure everyone can view the performance, the air show will be an open-seating environment.

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