OCEAN CITY – Two members with the U.S. Navy’s Blue Angels team met with officials Tuesday in Ocean City to discuss plans for their appearance at the 2017 OC Air Show. Lt. Brandon Hempler, Blue Angel 7, and airshow narrator, and Lt. Dave Steppe, Blue Angel 8 and events coordinator for the 2017 airshow, landed at NASA Wallops Flight Facility after surveying Ocean City’s beaches for next year’s show, scheduled June 17-18. The meetings, held at both Wallops and the Public Safety Building of Ocean City, addressed plans such as airfield, lodging and safety accommodations, according to the pair. But the visit was also an opportunity for the Blue Angels to acquaint themselves with OC Air Show officials, first responders and the resort community. Hempler of Kansas and Steppe of Alabama both said they have never visited Ocean City, but said the fly-by and meetings allowed them to scope the unfamiliar landscape and meet the townspeople. “The city has opened its arms to us every year we have been here,” Steppe said. This will be the Blue Angels’ second performance at the OC Air Show, according to Cathy Bassett, director of public relations for the event. The first appearance in [...]