| Blue Angels U.S. Navy flight demonstration squadron | |
|---|---|
 Blue Angels insignia | |
| Active | 24 April 1946–present |
| Country |  United States |
| Branch | United States Navy |
| Role | Aerobatic flight demonstration team |
| Size | Navy: 13 officers Marine Corps: 4 officers Navy & Marine Corps: 100+ enlisted personnel |
| Garrison/HQ | Naval Air Station Pensacola, Florida NAF El Centro, California (Winter Facility) |
| Nickname(s) | The Blues |
| Colors | "Blue Angel" blue "Insignia" yellow |
| Website | www |
| Commanders | |
| Current commander | CDR Adam L. Bryan |
| Aircraft flown | |
| Fighter | Navy: F/A-18E Super Hornets (single seat) (Demonstrations use F/A-18Es #1 to 6; backup is a pair of F/A-18Fs #7) |
| Transport | Marine Corps: 1 C-130J Super Hercules |
The Blue Angels, formally named the U.S. Navy Flight Demonstration Squadron, are a flight demonstration squadron of the United States Navy.[1] Formed in 1946, the unit is the second oldest formal aerobatic team in the world, following the Patrouille de France which formed in 1931. The team has six Navy and one Marine Corps demonstration pilots. They fly the Boeing F/A-18 Super Hornet and the Lockheed Martin C-130J Super Hercules.
The Blue Angels typically perform aerial displays in at least 60 shows annually at 30 locations throughout the United States and two shows at one location in Canada.[2] The "Blues" still employ many of the same practices and techniques used in the inaugural 1946 season. An estimated 11 million spectators view the squadron during air shows from March through November each year. Members of the Blue Angels team also visit more than 50,000 people in schools, hospitals, and community functions at air show cities.[3] Since 1946, the Blue Angels have flown for more than 505 million spectators.[4] In 2011, the Blue Angels received $37 million from the annual Department of Defense budget.[5][6]
- ^ "History of the Blue Angels". Blue Angels official site.
- ^ "Show Information And Schedules, 2019 Show Schedule". United States Navy. Retrieved 10 March 2019.
- ^ Atkeison, Charles (2018). "Navy's Blue Angels Announce New Pilots, Officers for 2019". AVGEEKERY.COM. Retrieved 15 March 2019.
- ^ "Blue Angels fly into age of budget woes". USA Today. 23 November 2011. Archived from the original on 29 March 2014. Retrieved 23 November 2011.
- ^ "Blue Angels FAQ". Archived from the original on 4 April 2012.