North Carolina

Oohs and ahhs as storied Blue Angels take to the skies at Cherry Point Air Show

By Ethan Hyman

Here’s a curated selection of photos from the Triangle and beyond as captured through the lenses of News & Observer photojournalist Ethan Hyman. On Sunday, May 10, the U.S. Navy Blue Angels performed during the MCAS Cherry Point Air Show in Havelock. Thousands attended the two-day event, which featured the Blue Angels, F-35 Lightning II, the F-16 Viper, the AV-8B Harrier and many other performers.

This feature can be seen in Sunday’s newspaper, as well as in our online Edition. See it at eedition.newsobserver.com.

The Blue Angels perform during the MCAS Cherry Point Air Show in Havelock, N.C., Sunday, May 10, 2026. Thousands attended the two day event which featured the Blue Angels, F-35 Lightning II, the F-16 Viper, the AV-8B Harrier and many other performers.
The Blue Angels perform during the MCAS Cherry Point Air Show in Havelock, N.C., Sunday, May 10, 2026. Thousands attended the two day event which featured the Blue Angels, F-35 Lightning II, the F-16 Viper, the AV-8B Harrier and many other performers. Ethan Hyman ehyman@newsobserver.com
The Blue Angels perform during the MCAS Cherry Point Air Show in Havelock, N.C., Sunday, May 10, 2026. Thousands attended the two day event which featured the Blue Angels, F-35 Lightning II, the F-16 Viper, the AV-8B Harrier and many other performers.
The Blue Angels perform during the MCAS Cherry Point Air Show in Havelock, N.C., Sunday, May 10, 2026. Thousands attended the two day event which featured the Blue Angels, F-35 Lightning II, the F-16 Viper, the AV-8B Harrier and many other performers. Ethan Hyman ehyman@newsobserver.com
Marco Bouw performs in a Sukhoi SU-31during the MCAS Cherry Point Air Show in Havelock, N.C., Sunday, May 10, 2026.
Marco Bouw performs in a Sukhoi SU-31during the MCAS Cherry Point Air Show in Havelock, N.C., Sunday, May 10, 2026. Ethan Hyman ehyman@newsobserver.com
The Blue Angels perform during the MCAS Cherry Point Air Show in Havelock, N.C., Sunday, May 10, 2026. Thousands attended the two day event which featured the Blue Angels, F-35 Lightning II, the F-16 Viper, the AV-8B Harrier and many other performers.
The Blue Angels perform during the MCAS Cherry Point Air Show in Havelock, N.C., Sunday, May 10, 2026. Thousands attended the two day event which featured the Blue Angels, F-35 Lightning II, the F-16 Viper, the AV-8B Harrier and many other performers. Ethan Hyman ehyman@newsobserver.com
The Blue Angels perform during the MCAS Cherry Point Air Show in Havelock, N.C., Sunday, May 10, 2026. Thousands attended the two day event which featured the Blue Angels, F-35 Lightning II, the F-16 Viper, the AV-8B Harrier and many other performers.
The Blue Angels perform during the MCAS Cherry Point Air Show in Havelock, N.C., Sunday, May 10, 2026. Thousands attended the two day event which featured the Blue Angels, F-35 Lightning II, the F-16 Viper, the AV-8B Harrier and many other performers. Ethan Hyman ehyman@newsobserver.com
An AV-8B Harrier lands during the MCAS Cherry Point Air Show in Havelock, N.C., Sunday, May 10, 2026. The jet is being retired by the Marine Corps, replaced by the F-35B.
An AV-8B Harrier lands during the MCAS Cherry Point Air Show in Havelock, N.C., Sunday, May 10, 2026. The jet is being retired by the Marine Corps, replaced by the F-35B. Ethan Hyman ehyman@newsobserver.com
A MIG-17F performs a low pass during the MCAS Cherry Point Air Show in Havelock, N.C., Sunday, May 10, 2026.
A MIG-17F performs a low pass during the MCAS Cherry Point Air Show in Havelock, N.C., Sunday, May 10, 2026. Ethan Hyman ehyman@newsobserver.com
Marines pass by a MV-22 Osprey waiting to take off during a Marine Air-Ground Task Force demonstration in the MCAS Cherry Point Air Show in Havelock, N.C., Sunday, May 10, 2026.
Marines pass by a MV-22 Osprey waiting to take off during a Marine Air-Ground Task Force demonstration in the MCAS Cherry Point Air Show in Havelock, N.C., Sunday, May 10, 2026. Ethan Hyman ehyman@newsobserver.com
Spectators wave to a passing F-35B before its demonstration flight during the MCAS Cherry Point Air Show in Havelock, N.C., Sunday, May 10, 2026.
Spectators wave to a passing F-35B before its demonstration flight during the MCAS Cherry Point Air Show in Havelock, N.C., Sunday, May 10, 2026. Ethan Hyman ehyman@newsobserver.com

This story was originally published May 14, 2026 at 3:32 PM.

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