The United States Blue Angels are based in Pensacola, Florida and currently fly the McDonnell Douglas F/A-18 Hornet. The Blue Angels flew their first air show in June of 1946 at Naval Air Station Jacksonville, Florida. The air show season begins in March with the first air show flown at the winter training facility in El Centro, California. The final show for the season is flown in Pensacola, Florida during the second week of November. In total the Blues will perform over 60 show in 35 cities across the world.
The aerial demonstration is divided into three elements. The Diamond, Solos, and Delta. The Diamond consists of jets 1 -4, the Solos 5 & 6, and the Delta brings all of the jets together. There are three shows that the Blues will fly. The high, mid, and low show. The two factors that determine which show the Blues will fly are ceiling and visibility.
The Blue Angels support crew and parts travel to each show site with the teams own C-130 , also known as Fat Albert. At selected show sites Fat Albert will also participate in the show using JATO (Jet Assist Takeoff), a high speed pass, and a tactical landing.
