U.S. Navy’s Blue Angels: Aerial Acrobatics at its Finest
After the end of World War II, Chief of Naval Operations Chester W. Nimitz decided that the U.S. needed something to attract and keep the public’s interest in Naval Aviation. So he ordered the assembly of a flight demonstration team. Less than a year later, in June 1946, the “Blue Angels” performed their first official flight demonstration at their home base in Jacksonville, Florida.
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It’s been over 64 years since that first demonstration and the U.S. Navy’s Blue Angels have continued to stun and amaze audiences from around the world. Since 1946 they have entertained over 463 million fans with their stunt-filled performances.
Over the years, the Blue Angels have flown a variety of aircraft including: Grumman F6F Hellcat, Grumman F8F Bearcat, Grumman F9F-2 and F9F-5 Panther, Grumman F9F-8 Cougar, Grumman F11F-1 Tiger, McDonnell Douglas F-4J Phantom II, McDonnell Douglas A-4F Skyhawk II and the Boeing F/A-18 Hornet.
All of the Blue Angels jets are carrier-capable and with a few adjustments can be made combat ready within about 72 hours. The one except is the squadron’s C-130, aka “Fat Albert”, which is manned by a Marine Corps crew and was not designed for carrier operations.
If you haven’t had the privilege of seeing the Blue Angels perform, I highly recommend you figure out how you get to one of their shows. You can check out their schedule on their website. To say you will be amazed in a definite understatement. Just take a look at the amazing U.S. Navy’s Blue Angels!
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