United States Air Force Thunderbirds to headline 14th Annual Bethpage Air Show at Jones Beach taking place May 27-28, 2017
Levittown native Major Kevin Walsh, Thunderbird #7, to return to Long Island
BETHPAGE, NY (December 7, 2016) — Bethpage Federal Credit Union, New York State’s largest credit union, and the New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation, are very pleased to announce that the United States Air Force Thunderbirds will headline the 14th Annual Bethpage Air Show at Jones Beach taking place on Saturday, May 27, 2017 and Sunday, May 28, 2017. The announcement was made today at the International Council of Air Shows (ICAS) Convention at the Paris Las Vegas in Las Vegas, Nevada.
This will be the legendary demonstration squadron’s fifth appearance at the show. Long Island will also be welcoming a hometown hero – Thunderbird # 7 Major Kevin Walsh. Currently Director of Operations for the U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds, Walsh grew up in Levittown, and attended St. Anthony’s High School in South Huntington. Major Walsh’s family still resides on Long Island.
Also announced at the ICAS Convention is the return of the United States Army Golden Knights Parachute Team in the 2017 lineup. The United States Navy Blue Angels have also committed to headline the 2018 Bethpage Air Show at Jones Beach. This will be the eighth time the U.S. Navy Blue Angels have headlined the Bethpage Air Show at Jones Beach, one of the country’s largest and most prestigious air shows.
“We are excited to welcome back the United States Air Force Thunderbirds to Long Island for their fifth headlining appearance at the Bethpage Air Show at Jones Beach,” said George Gorman, Deputy Regional Director, New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation.
“Over 439,000 spectators chose the Bethpage Air Show as their Memorial Day holiday weekend destination in 2015 when the Thunderbirds last visited. We are confident that their return to Long Island in 2017 will draw an equally large crowd as well,” said Linda Armyn, Senior Vice President of Corporate Affairs, Bethpage.
Last year, the Bethpage Air Show at Jones Beach saw record breaking attendance when 453,000 people attended the show which included its biggest line up ever. During this show, for the first time, three jet teams performed including show headliners, the United States Navy Blue Angels, the Royal Canadian Air Force Snowbirds, and the Breitling Jet Team.
The Thunderbirds were formed in 1953, and since have been charged with demonstrating the professionalism of Airmen and the capabilities of modern airpower. Their performance at the Bethpage Air Show will include approximately 40 maneuvers, featuring formation flying and solo routines.
About Bethpage Federal Credit Union
Bethpage Federal Credit Union is a premier community financial institution committed to enriching the lives of its members, employees and the communities it serves for the past 80 years. Bethpage is the largest credit union in the Northeast Region, and the 14th largest in the nation.
As a not-for-profit credit union, Bethpage is committed to its members and the communities it serves. In addition to giving back to its members in the form of great rates and low fees, the Bethpage Cares program invests heavily in local, high-impact community programs that serve with an eye towards creating better communities through diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging.
Named a Forbes “Best Place to Bank in New York,” the fifth “Best Company to Work for in New York State” by the New York State Society for Human Resources Management and a Glass Door Top Place to work for Small & Midsize companies in the US, Bethpage is a federally chartered credit union, available to people nationwide who open a $5 dollar membership account. Bethpage offers a robust digital platform that allows members to bank from anywhere. Bethpage is a part of the national CO-OP network that gives members access to their accounts at over 30,000 free ATMs and 5,000+ shared branches across the U.S. As a financial cooperative, Bethpage offers the best-in market rates, lowest fees and world-class service, plus a full menu of personal and commercial financial services. For more information on Bethpage’s robust portfolio of banking, borrowing, and investment services, visit www.lovebethpage.com or call 1-800- 628-7070.
