Fenway Flyover 2021 ~ The Bedford Connection

The Blacklion squadron at Fenway Park before the Red Sox Kansas City game on June 29

Cmdr. Brian Pinckney of the Blacklions Strike Fighter Squadron (r) with Adm. Mike Gilday, Chief of Naval Operations at Fenway after the flyover.

Four F-18s from the Blacklion Strike Fighter Squadron VFA-213 touched down at Hanscom Field on June 29 causing Facebook consternation among new residents and euphoric recall of past air shows among more seasoned Bedfordians.

Lee Lavi noted on Facebook, “While some may complain about the noise, I personally loved hearing the jets take off. Today was no different. Makes me proud to be an American and thankful for the men and women who serve to keep us safe.” Editor’s Note: See a gallery of Lee Lavi’s images at the end of this article.

In a rapid-fire early evening takeoff sequence, the quartet departed shortly before their Fenway Park flyover at the start of Tuesday’s Red Sox game vs Kansas City.

Cmdr. Pinckney greets Col. Katrina Stephens, commander of the 66th Air Base Group at Hanscom Air Force Base ~ Image Todd Maki, Hanscom Air Force Base, 2021

Why a flyover of a mid-season game against Kansas City? Lowell native Admiral Mike Gilday, Chief of Naval Operations, was Fenway along with a large group of local sailors.

Based at Naval Station Oceana in Virginia, such flyover flights are often training missions. Adding excitement to a Red Sox game, and being able to get back to watch the game after the flyover is a bonus.

During the Red Sox/Kansas City game at Fenway Park on June 29

This the second time F-18 Hornets from Oceana have made the news in Bedford. On January 22, 2018, a pair woke the neighbors as they took off from Hanscom surfacing concerns about the use of afterburners over populated areas. Four days later Jessica Casserley, a public information officer at Hanscom Air Force Base, put The Citizen in touch with NAS Oceana’s press office where Jennifer Colaizzi noted, “Using afterburner for takeoff in a Hornet/Super Hornet is standard procedure. No danger is implied by the use of afterburner.”

Local air show fans who might be in the Virginia Beach area instead of at Bedford Day on September 18 take note: The NAS Oceana Air Show is scheduled for 18-19 September and we’re pleased to announce that IT WILL BE OPEN TO THE PUBLIC!! The entire team is eager to once again open our doors and welcome aboard visitors from near and far to this Master Jet Base to see the return of the Air Show. This year our theme is “The Blues are Back!” The Blue Angels will be making their first appearance at NAS Oceana since 2018, celebrating their 75th anniversary and flying the demonstration in their brand new F/A-18 Super Hornets.