Airshows at Naval Air Station JAX were regular events until the 1970s when the airshow shifted to NAS Cecil Field. The airshow returned to NAS JAX for the 50th anniversary of the base in 1990. Since 2001, the airshow now alternatives between the naval base and Jacksonville Beach. The Jacksonville airshow is one of only three events where the Blue Angels have flown all eight types of demonstration aircraft used through their 72-year history.
2018 NAS JAX Air Show
United States Department of Navy
Naval Air Station
Jacksonville, Florida
October 27, 28, 2018
U.S. Navy Blue Angels by
Paul Sager, on Flickr
The Blue Angels are the United States Navy's flight demonstration squadron, with aviators from the Navy and Marines. The Blue Angels' six demonstration pilots currently fly the Boeing F/A-18 Hornet, typically in more than 70 shows each calendar year at 34 locations throughout the United States. The F/A-18 Hornet is a twin-engine, supersonic, all-weather, carrier-capable, multirole combat jet, designed as both a fighter and attack aircraft (hence the F/A designation). The F/A-18 was initially developed and manufactured by McDonnell Douglas and has been built and further refined by Boeing since 1996.
U.S. Navy Blue AngelsThe first official Blue Angels team insignia or "crest" was designed in 1949 by Flight Leader Lt. Cmdr. Raleigh "Dusty" Rhodes. The aircraft silhouettes change as the team changes aircraft.
U.S. Navy Blue AngelsIn the television animated series
Star Wars: Clone Wars, Anakin Skywalker's starfighter is named Azure Angel, after the Blue Angels team
U.S. Navy Blue AngelsThe "Blues" performed nationwide until the start of the Korean War in 1950, when the team was disbanded and its members were ordered to combat duty due to a shortage of pilots and planes. The Blue Angels were officially recommissioned on 25 October 1951 and assigned the NAS Corpus Christi, Texas. The team's current home is NAS Pensacola, Florida.
U.S. Navy Blue AngelsThrough the 2018 season there have been 270 pilots in the squadron's history. There have been 26 Blue Angel pilot fatalities in the team's 72-year history.
U.S. Navy Blue AngelsThe Blue Angels name was suggested by Right Wing Pilot Lt. Maurice "Wick" Wickendoll after reading about the Blue Angel nightclub in
The New Yorker magazine in a column called Goings On About Town. Voris said, "That sounds great! The Blue Angels. Navy, Blue, and Flying!"
U.S. Navy Blue Angels2019 is the team's 73rd anniversary and marks the Blue Angels' 33rd year flying the Boeing F/A-18 Hornet.
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