The base is  just 3 hours from Washington, DC and the East Coast’s only Master Jet Base, the largest type of tactical fighter air base. It  manages a sophisticated array of attack and support aircraft of over 250 aircraft, including both F/A-18 Hornet and Navy F-14 Tomcat squadrons.

From vintage aviation to the latest in military firepower, the show includes demonstrations from the hottest fighters in the U.S. arsenal including the F-22 Raptor, F/A-18C Hornet, the Super Hornet, and the E-2C Hawkeye warning and control system plane.

Here’s a link to the long lost of scheduled performers and aviation demonstrations.

Oceana Air Show – 2008
Naval Air Station Oceana
16 miles East of the City of Norfolk
Virginia Beach, VA – about 200 miles or 3 hours from DC, (map it or click here for basic directions)

Dates and Times – Saturday and Sunday, September 20 – 21, 2008. Gates open at 8:00 a.m., flying starts at 10:00 a.m. and the Blue Angels perform at 3:00 p.m. check the website for the schedule.

Tickets – Admission is FREE, with additional paid seating available. Bleachers – $4.00, General – $8.00, Reserved – $12.00 and are available online.

Parking – Free.

Images – Raptor – U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Ben Bloker, F/A-18 – DOD photo/Navy Lt. Peter Scheu,

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Post from: The DC Traveler

I had the lucky experience on a dive boat, while scuba diving off of the Big Island of Hawaii several years ago. 

My encounter occurred while cruising to a new dive site, a pod of about ten humpback whales, ranging from 10-foot calves to 45-foot adults, came within about 20 feet of our boat. 

The experience was something I’ll never forget. My only regret was that I couldn’t (by law) jump in the water with them. To protect the whales, swimmers/divers have to be in the water and the whales need to come to you.

Every winter, humpback whales move to warmer southern waters during their annual migration. Whales can be spotted along the Pacific coast as well as along our Atlantic coast. And the closest place to Washington, DC to take a whale watching boat tour is from Virginia Beach, just a 3-hour drive from DC.

Through March 16th, daily 2-3 hour whale watching tours depart from the Virginia Aquarium & Marine Science Center in Virginia Beach.  

While whale sightings are not guaranteed, there is a good chance you might see either migrating humpback whales or fin whales. 

The whales you may encounter off the coast of Virginia Beach may not be as friendly as this gray curious whale off of Baha, Mexico shown in the first video clip.  But if you don’t encounter any whales on your cruise, check out the IMAX film Whales, at the Virginia Aquarium after your cruise.

And when a 45-foot dead Pacific Gray whale washes up on the Oregon coast and you try to find a way to dispose of it, dynamite is definitely NOT the answer… (from Nov. 1970).

Whale Watching off Virginia Beach
The Virginia Aquarium
717 General Booth Blvd.
Virginia Beach, VA. 23451

Whale Watching Tours Dates and Times – Thursdays and Fridays – 2:30 p.m., weekends – 9:00 a.m., Noon & 3:00 p.m.

Whale Watching Tickets – Adults – $28, kids 4-11 – $24.00. Tickets are available at the Aquarium or at the dock. For additional information, call 1-757-385-FISH.

Museum Hours  and Admission - Daily – 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.  Adults – $11.95, Seniors -$10.95, kids 3-11 – $7.95

Attire – Dress VERY warmly and bring your camera.

Images – Flickr

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Post from: The DC Traveler

Boats depart from the Virginia Aquarium & Marine Science Center in Virginia Beach and take you on a 2-3 hour whale watching tour. 

While not always sighting whales, you get a chance to see both fin and humpback whales as they migrate annually to warmer southern waters to mate and calf for the winter and feed in the food-rich Chesapeake Bay along the way.

The adult humpback whales are between 40 and 50 feet long and can grow to over 75,000 pounds.  While the Fin or Finback Whale, are the second largest animal on the planet behind only the blue whale, and can grow up to 88 feet long and weigh over 140,000 pounds.

For more information, call 1-866-59-WHALE and select the option to speak with a live operator.

Cruises do not guarantee that whales will be cited. And trips may be canceled due to sea conditions but not generally due to rain.  The waters off Virginia Beach can be a bit rough so people susceptible to sea sickness should be advised to use caution.

Cruise Dates
January 4 – March 18, 2007 

Cruise Schedule
- Thursdays and Fridays – 2:30 p.m.
- Saturdays, Sundays & Holidays that occur on Mondays -  9:00 a.m., Noon & 3:00 p.m.

Cost
Adults $30 adults (12 and over), kids $25 (4 -11)

Attire
Dress warmly as it’s colder on the water so hats, gloves, warm coats, shoes and  socks are strongly recommended.

And don’t forget your binoculars and camera.

The Virginia Aquarium & Marine Science Center is open daily from 9:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m.  Admission is $11.95 for adults, $1.00 less for seniors, kids 3-11 are $7.95. __________________________________________________________  

Post from: The DC Traveler