Blue Angels Arrive On Long Island For Memorial Day Weekend Air Show

FARMINGDALE, N.Y. (CBSNewYork) -- The U.S. Navy Blue Angels have landed on Long Island as they prepare for the popular Bethpage Air Show at Jones Beach this weekend.

Hundreds of people lined up to greet the Blue Angels and their F-18 Hornets as they flew into Republic Airport on Thursday morning.

This will be Lt. Matt Suyderhaud's first time at the annual Memorial Day weekend event.

"When you first show up to a new place and the first thing you see is a bunch of people waiting for you just to land it makes you feel very welcome and it invigorates you to put on a good show," he told WCBS 880's Sophia Hall.

The Blue Angels, who bill themselves as the world's oldest and most renowned flight demonstration team, suspended air shows in 2013 because of federal budget cuts.

Thousands are expected to pack the beach for the air show, which is being held Saturday and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

For directions and more visit, bethpageairshow.com.