The mission of the United States Navy Flight Demonstration Squadron is, "to showcase the pride and professionalism of the United States Navy and Marine Corps by inspiring a culture of excellence and service to country through flight demonstrations and community outreach."

Blue Angels - Sun Day 2 by Paul Sager, on Flickr


The team flies fighter aircraft which have formerly served in the fleet and are maintained to nearly combat-ready status. Modifications to each aircraft include removal of the weapons and replacement with the tank that contains smoke-oil used in demonstrations, and outfitting with the control stick spring system for more precise aircraft control input.

Blue Angels - Sun Day 2


Originally established in April 1946 by World War II hero and then-Chief of Naval Operations Admiral Chester Nimitz, the flight exhibition team was created to keep the American public interested in – and supportive of – naval aviation, as well as to maintain high morale within the Navy. Many of the original members of the team were naval aviators who served in World War II.

Blue Angels - Sun Day 2


Originally, the Blue Angels flew the Grumman F6F Hellcat, a propeller plane used extensively during World War II. Over the subsequent decades, the team has flown several different kinds of aircraft as aviation technology has improved.

Blue Angels - Sat Day 1


Members of the Navy and Marine Corps who wish to apply to be a part of the Blue Angels team must meet certain requirements, including being an aircraft carrier-qualified tactical jet pilot with a minimum of 1,250 flight hours.

Blue Angels - Sun Day 2


The Blue Angels typically fly the oldest planes in the Navy inventory, planes that are still combat ready, but are approaching their carrier landing and / or flight-hour service limits. The 'new' Blue Angel Super Hornets are the oldest F/A-18E/Fs still in the Navy inventory, early production (Block 21/22) aircraft that the first Super Hornet squadron (VFA-115) used for training Navy pilots in the early 2000s.

Blue Angels - Sun Day 2


At the outbreak of the Korean War in 1950, the Blue Angels squadron briefly disbanded and members joined Fighter Squadron 191 (VF-191), “Satan’s Kittens,” aboard the aircraft carrier USS Princeton, which was deployed to Korea. Today, however, the Blue Angels do not fly in combat while assigned to the demonstration team. Rather, team members transition back to active fleet assignments are the end of their Blue Angels tour. All of the Blue Angels' jets are carrier-capable and can be made combat ready in about 72 hours.

Blue Angels - Sun Day 2


Images shared in this post were captured in RAW using an EOS 5DIII and either the EF 300mm f/2.8L IS II and EF Extender 1.4x III (effective 420mm configuration) or the EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS II. Processing was performed only in Adobe Lightroom v6.

Blue Angels - Sat Day 1


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