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HISTORY<br />
From Page 8<br />
NAS Jacksonville, and he lead the team move to NAS Corpus<br />
Christi, Texas, in October 1948. Additionally, not only was the<br />
Blue Angels patch used today designed by CDR Rhodes but he<br />
was also the flight leader that transitioned the team into the jet<br />
age. In 2008 and 2010, Al Taddeo, Commander, USN (Retired)<br />
was our special VIP guest. CDR Taddeo, the last surviving pilot<br />
of the original Blue Angels team, flew the original number three<br />
plane when the team flew F6F “Hellcats.” CDR Taddeo had<br />
not returned to NAS Jacksonville since being here as a Squadron<br />
Commander in Fighter Squadron 43 (VF-43) in 1954.<br />
The 2011 Air Show celebrated “The Centennial of Naval<br />
Aviation.” Once again Al Taddeo and his wife Joan were our air<br />
show VIP guests for this special anniversary commemorating<br />
100 years of Naval Aviation excellence here at NAS Jacksonville!<br />
The scheduled 2013 Air Show was cancelled due to government<br />
sequestration efforts. The Blue Angels announced their<br />
season would terminate early; with their last air show flown<br />
at NAS Key West on March 24, 2013. The NAS Jacksonville<br />
scheduled 2013 October air show was then rescheduled for<br />
2014. Although NAS Jacksonville celebrated their 75th Golden<br />
Anniversary in 2015, it was not possible to have an air show due<br />
to a massive $51.9M runway renovation project. The runway<br />
was officially opened on June 27, 2016 and air shows were once<br />
again scheduled starting in 2017.<br />
Spectators gather around a<br />
Consolidated PBY Catalina<br />
aircraft during the Naval<br />
Air Station Jacksonville<br />
Air Show in 1945. The<br />
aircraft were used for antisubmarine,<br />
patrol bombing,<br />
convoy escorts, search<br />
and rescue operations<br />
and cargo transport<br />
during World War II. They<br />
were retired from military<br />
operations in the 1980s but<br />
are still used today for aerial<br />
firefighting operations.<br />
U.S. Navy Photo<br />
Air show<br />
enthusiasts<br />
check out an F7F<br />
Tigercat during the<br />
Naval Air Station<br />
Jacksonville Air<br />
Show in 1945.<br />
The Tigercat was<br />
a heavy fighter<br />
aircraft serving<br />
with the United<br />
States Navy and<br />
Marine Corps from<br />
late in World War<br />
II until 1954.<br />
U.S. Navy Photo<br />
ó 2017 NAS Jax Air Show ó 9
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