The U.S. Navy Blue Angels are gearing up to return to the Columbus Air Show in August 2025, and crew members recently visited Rickenbacker International Airport to start planning their performance. According to NBC4i, Major Scott Laux and Lieutenant Commander Lilly Montana, both of the Blue Angels, were on-site Monday to lay the groundwork for an event that drew sold-out crowds two years earlier during its inaugural comeback.
In a statement obtained by The Columbus Dispatch, Laux, scheduled to be the show's narrator, highlighted the Blue Angels' mission "to showcase the teamwork and professionalism of the Navy and Marine Corps through flight demonstration and community outreach, hoping to inspire a culture of excellence and service to country." In contrast, Montana is due to coordinate event logistics, including transport and local provisions. They both joined the team in September and have been actively preparing since.
The upcoming air show, set for Aug. 22-24, 2025, anticipates a lineup with the Blue Angels as headliners and civilian aerobatic stars, modern military aircraft, and classic warbirds, offering a blend of aerial and ground spectacles. FOX 28 Columbus mentioned the tickets for the show are currently for sale online.
For Laux, the Columbus visit is more than just business. According to interviews by NBC4i and The Columbus Dispatch, he has personal ties to the area through his wife's family and shared, "My children run around the house yelling, 'O-H!' all the time.” Laux's family members, having witnessed his flight, expressed profound pride. "It was pretty exciting, especially as they flew over the building so close we could almost see his face," Joan Schlagheck, Laux's mother-in-law, said, echoing the excitement of other relatives at the sight of the familiar aviator in their majestic, airborne form.
Herb Gillen, the owner of Herb Gillen Airshows and producer of The Columbus Air Show, conveyed the community's excitement to The Columbus Dispatch, "We're very excited to have them back. We know the central Ohio community is going to be very supportive of them coming back." Alongside the show's featured stars and acts, attendees can expect to witness a portrayal of Maverick and Iceman from "Top Gun," a Firewalkers Pyro show, and performances by the Titan Aerobatic Team.
