The following list contains important milestones in the Blue Angels’ illustrious 76-year history. For more detailed descriptions, we recommend reading Blue Angels Decades or any of the many books listed in the Media dropdown menu, Blue Angels Books.
Admiral Chester Nimitz orders formation of a U.S. Navy Flight Demonstration Team. LCDR Roy “Butch” Voris assigned to preparing a report determining feasibility and best practices.
Upon reading Voris’ report, he is selected to serve as the Officer in Charge (OinC) of the Team. Based out of NAS Jacksonville (Jax), Voris selects the Grumman F6F Hellcat as the Team’s aircraft, as well as the pilots and maintainers.
Training commences.
The Team participates its first demonstrations for the public, at the inaugural Southeastern Air Show and Exhibition at Craig Field, Jacksonville, FL.
Voris and Team perform a demonstration at NAS Jax for RADM Ralph Davisson, Chief of Naval Air Advanced Training. Impressed by what he has seen, Davisson approves Team for public performances.
During their appearance at the World’s Fair of Aviation in Omaha, NE the press refers to the Team as “The Blue Angels”. The name is soon officially adopted.
First public performance with the Grumman F8F Bearcat takes place at Stapleton Field near Denver, CO.
The diamond formation is introduced to the demo.
The Team flies a ‘farewell’ show at NAS Jax, and soon relocates to NAS Corpus Christi, TX.
The official Blue Angels crest is introduced. Designed by Team’s OinC, LCDR Raleigh “Dusty” Rhodes.
The Grumman F9F-2 Panther makes its public debut at he Beaumont, TX airshows.
After flying its show at NAS Dallas, TX, the Team is disbanded. Many of the officers and men go on to form the nucleus of VF-191, and serve in the Korean War.
The Navy decides to reinstate the Team, assigning Voris to again serve as its OinC.
The Team flies its first public performances in the Grumman F9F-5 at NAS Memphis.
CAPT Chuck Hiett becomes the first Marine Aviator assigned to the Team.
Team transitions to the Grumman F9F-8 Cougar.
Team performs at the International Aircraft Show in Toronto, Canada, their first public demonstrations outside of the U.S.
Team transitions to Grumman F11F-1 (later redesignated F-11A) Tiger.
6-plane Delta formation added to the demonstration.
The Farvel manuver is introduced.
1,000th demonstration flown in Pocatello, ID.
Team performs in Mexico City, Mexico.
Team flies public demonstrations in the Bahamas, Puerto Rico and Jamaica.
A Lockheed C-121J Constellation replaces the Team’s R5D.
LT Mary Russell reports in, serving as Assistant Public Affairs Officer and the first woman to serve on the Team.
Team transitions to the McDonnell Douglas F-4J Phantom II.
Logistical duties taken over by “Fat Albert”, a USMC Lockheed KC-130F Hercules.
First Blue Angels’ tour of South America, with demonstrations flown in Panama and Ecuador.
Five public demonstrations flown in Hawaii.
First-ever Far East tour. Demonstrations flown in Korea, Japan, Taiwan, Philippines and Guam.
Team is commissioned as the U.S. Navy Flight Demonstration Squadron, and transitions to the McDonnell Douglas A-4F Skyhawk II.
2,000th demonstration flown at NAS Atlanta, GA.
Aviation Electrician’s Mate Penny Edwards beccomes the first female enlisted Sailor to serve as a Blue Angel.
The Blue Angels perform their final demonstration in the A-4F Skyhawk II at NAS Pensacola and unveil the first F/A-18 Hornet painted in Blue Angel colors.
The Blue Angels perform their first public demonstration of the F/A-18 Hornet at MCAS Yuma
The Team perform a flyover of Super Bowl XXII at Jack Murphy Statium in San Diego, California
3,000th demonstration at Grand Forks, ND
The Blue Angels become the first U.S. military flight demonstration team to perform in Russia, Romania and Bulgaria as part of the largest European tour in Team history.
CDR Donnie Cochran becomes the first African American commanding officer and flight leader of the Blue Angels
The Blue Angels celebrate their 50th anniversary
CDR Patrick Driscoll makes the first arrested landing and catapult launch of a Blue Angels jet aboard an aircraft carrier, the USS Harry S. Truman (CVN 75)
In the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, the team begin their ongoing support of Toys for Tots, converting Fat Albert into Santa’s sleigh for toy deliveries to areas most affected by disasters.
Fat Albert performs the last JATO takeoff at the Blue Angels Homecoming Air Show at NAS Pensacola.
During sequestration, the Blue Angels provide over 5,000 hours of community service
The Team perform a flyover of Super Bowl 50 at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, California.
Operation America Strong: The Blue Angels and Thunderbirds conduct multi-city flyovers in show of support for frontline responders during the COVID-19 pandemic
The first Blue Angels F/A-18E Super Hornet arrives at NAS Pensacola from Boeing’s facilities at Cecil Field
The Team debuts a new Fat Albert C-130J Super Hercules highlighted by a new livery
The Team performs their first public demonstration of the F/A-18E Super Hornets in Lakeland, FL at the Sun ‘n Fun Aerospace Expo
Lt. Amanda “Stalin” Lee of Mounds View, Minn., was selected as the first female F/A-18 jet demonstration pilot for the 2023 season.
The Blue Angels Association (BAA) works closely with the Blue Angels Foundation (BAF). The Foundation’s mission is to support wounded veterans, who proudly volunteered to serve our nation and preserve our freedom. The BAF helps wounded warriors transition back to a civilian life full of dignity and purpose by assisting them in with housing, counseling, PTSD resolution, life skills, transportation and employment opportunities. While we are separate organizations, the BAF falls under the leadership of the BAA. For more information on the BAF, visit their website
The members of the Blue Angels Association (BAA) are primarily former officers and Honorary Blue Angels. The Blue Angels Alumni Association (BAAA) members are former enlisted Blue Angels. Both organizations are dedicated to supporting the current Blue Angels and keeping friendships and camaraderie alive among teammates across the years. Once a Blue Angel, Always a Blue Angel!
Please stay tuned and check back for updates.
