Approximately 15 million spectators go out to watch a Blue Angels Air Show every single year. The Blue Angels, AKA the US Navy Flight Demonstration Squadron, has its official home in Pensacola, FL, but they perform aerial aviation shows all over the country. The Blue Angels are currently on tour, so it’s a great time to find a show nearby and take the whole family out to see them.
History
The Blue Angels Association explains that the Blue Angels first formed after WWII when the “Chief of Naval Operations, Adm. Chester W. Nimitz, ordered the formation of a flight demonstration team to showcase naval aviation”. Less than a year after their formation, they performed their first air show on June 15, 1946, in Jacksonville, FL. Since then, the flight team has been creating countless new aviation tricks to show spectators. For example, The Blue Angels’ trademark, the Diamond Flight Position, was first introduced by Lt. Cmdr. Bob Clarke in 1947. The Blue Angels haven’t always been a demonstration team, however. The Blue Angels Association explains that “in 1950, the Korean Conflict put a great demand on naval aviation. The Navy responded by reassigning the Blue Angels to the aircraft carrier USS Princeton (CV-37), where the Blue Angels became the nucleus of Fighter Squadron 191 (VF-191), known as ‘Satan’s Kittens'”.
The Blue Angels haven’t always been a demonstration team, however. The Blue Angels Association explains that “in 1950, the Korean Conflict put a great demand on naval aviation. The Navy responded by reassigning the Blue Angels to the aircraft carrier USS Princeton (CV-37), where the Blue Angels became the nucleus of Fighter Squadron 191 (VF-191), known as ‘Satan’s Kittens'”. The Blue Angels actually didn’t move to their present home in Pensacola until 1955, after they were stationed in Corpus Christi, TX for four years. The Blue Angels were finally recognized as the US Navy Flight Demonstration Squadron in 1973. It was also in 1973 that they redefined their mission to support Navy recruitment.
Blue Angels Shows
Blue Angels shows are truly one of a kind. They perform all over the country and at different events, like the Naval Acadamy graduation and Disney World. Lilli Burke, from Pensacola, says that her favorite air show is the Pensacola Beach Air Show. She explains that at this show, “they do their regular tricks, but it’s more fun because you go by boat or just sit on the beach. Thousands of people go to the shows. It’s crazy”.
While the Blue Angels tour all over the country, they have two shows every year in Pensacola and people are allowed to watch their practices every Tuesday and Wednesday morning at 11:30, starting in March every year. They also host meet-and-greets at the National Naval Aviation Museum in Pensacola. Lilli explains that the planes fly upside down and get extremely close to each other. “It’s very suspenseful to watch,” she says.
If you’re looking for a fun family friendly event this summer, check out the Blue Angels Schedule and make plans to see one of their air shows!
