Guide Note
The Blue Angels are the Navy Flight Demonstration Squadron that travel around the world performing air shows. Their mission is to "enhance Navy recruiting and credibly represent Navy and Marine Corps aviation to the United States and its Armed Forces to America and other countries as international ambassadors of good will."1
Fast Facts
- Created in 1946
- Part of the U.S. Navy
- Home base: Naval Air Station Pensacola in Florida
- Currently fly Boeing F/A-18 Hornets
- Command Master Chief: Eric Hodge
- Have performed for over 427 million spectators2
- Perform every August for Seattle's Seafair celebration
Key Dates
- 1946: First flight demonstration performed in Jacksonville, Florida
- 1947: Introduce "Diamond Formation"
- 1954: Relocate to NAS Pensacola
- 1957: Fly Grumman F11F-1 Tiger
- 1969: Fly McDonnell Douglas F-4J Phantom II
- 1974: Reorganized from Navy Flight Demonstration Team to Navy Flight Demonstration Squadron
- 1986: Introduce F/A-18 Hornet
