Blue AngelsBlue Angels

By: Michael H.By: Michael H.

The Blue Angels are an aerial stunt team for the navy which started at the end of World War II. Chester W. Nimitz, then the Chief of Naval Operations started a flight demonstration team to keep the public interested in naval aviation. The Blue Angels performed their first flight demonstration less than a year later in June 1946 at their home base, Naval Air Station in Jacksonville, Florida. Flying the Grumman F6F Hellcat, they were led by Lt. Cmdr. Roy “Butch” Voris.

The F6F Hellcat

Lt. Cmdr. Roy “Butch” Voris

Chester W.

Nimitz

Only two months later on August 25, 1946, Only two months later on August 25, 1946, the Blue Angels transitioned to the the Blue Angels transitioned to the Grumman F8F Bearcat. One year later the Grumman F8F Bearcat. One year later the 1947 team led by Lt. Cmdr. Robert Clarke 1947 team led by Lt. Cmdr. Robert Clarke introduced the now famous “Diamond introduced the now famous “Diamond Formation.”Formation.”

“Diamond Formation” F8F Bearcat Lt. Cmdr. Robert Clarke

By the end of the 1940’s the Blue By the end of the 1940’s the Blue Angels were flying their first jet aircraft, the Angels were flying their first jet aircraft, the Grumman F9F-2 Panther. Grumman F9F-2 Panther.

F9F-2 Panther

During the Korean War extra fighter pilots were During the Korean War extra fighter pilots were needed. The Blue Angels were called in to help needed. The Blue Angels were called in to help fight. In 1950 the team reported to the aircraft fight. In 1950 the team reported to the aircraft carrier USS Princeton and became a part of the carrier USS Princeton and became a part of the Fighter Squadron #191. In June of 1952 they Fighter Squadron #191. In June of 1952 they began their demonstration flights once again as began their demonstration flights once again as the Blue Angels.the Blue Angels.

F9F-2 Panther

The team reorganized the next year and reported The team reorganized the next year and reported to Naval Air Station in Corpus Christi, Texas. to Naval Air Station in Corpus Christi, Texas. There they began flying the newer and faster There they began flying the newer and faster version of the Panther the F9F-5 Cougar. The Blue version of the Panther the F9F-5 Cougar. The Blue Angels were stationed in Corpus Christi until the Angels were stationed in Corpus Christi until the winter of 1954 when they relocated to their present winter of 1954 when they relocated to their present day home base at the Naval Air Station in day home base at the Naval Air Station in Pensacola, Florida. It was here that they changed Pensacola, Florida. It was here that they changed to the swept-wing Grumman F9F-8 Cougar.to the swept-wing Grumman F9F-8 Cougar.

F9F-8 CougarF9F-8 Cougar

The following 20 years the Blue Angels The following 20 years the Blue Angels switched to two more aircraft, the Grumman switched to two more aircraft, the Grumman F11F-1 Tiger in1957 and the McDonnell F11F-1 Tiger in1957 and the McDonnell Douglas F-4J Phantom II in1969. Douglas F-4J Phantom II in1969.

F-4J Phantom II F11F-I TigerF11F-I Tiger

In December 1974, the Navy Flight Demonstration In December 1974, the Navy Flight Demonstration Team began flying the McDonnell Douglas A-4F Team began flying the McDonnell Douglas A-4F Skyhawk II and was reorganized as the Navy Skyhawk II and was reorganized as the Navy Flight Demonstration Squadron. This Flight Demonstration Squadron. This reorganization permitted the establishment of a reorganization permitted the establishment of a commanding officer . Cmdr. Tony Less was the commanding officer . Cmdr. Tony Less was the squadron’s first official commanding officer. squadron’s first official commanding officer.

A-4F SkyHawkA-4F SkyHawk

On November 8, 1986, the Blue Angels completed On November 8, 1986, the Blue Angels completed their 40th anniversary year presentation their now their 40th anniversary year presentation their now present aircraft the new sleek F/A-18 Hornet the present aircraft the new sleek F/A-18 Hornet the first multi-role fighter/attack aircraft now serving on first multi-role fighter/attack aircraft now serving on the nation’s front lines of defense. In 1992 more the nation’s front lines of defense. In 1992 more than one million people viewed Blue Angel’s than one million people viewed Blue Angel’s performances in Europe, Sweden, Finland, performances in Europe, Sweden, Finland, Russia, Romania, Bulgaria, Italy, the United Russia, Romania, Bulgaria, Italy, the United Kingdom, Spain and the United States.Kingdom, Spain and the United States.

F/A-18 HornetF/A-18 Hornet

The 2007 show season brought out more The 2007 show season brought out more than 15 million viewers. Since 1946, the than 15 million viewers. Since 1946, the Blue Angels have performed for more than Blue Angels have performed for more than 427 million fans.427 million fans.

     

    

     

    

     

    

     

    

     

    

     

    

     

    

     

    

     

    

     

    

     

    

     

    

     

    

     

    

     

    

     

    

There is a total of 16 officers with the Blue Angels. Each year the team selects three fighter jet pilots, two officers and one Marine Corps C-130 pilot.The Chief of Naval Air Training selects “A Boss ” the Blue Angels Commanding Officer. “ The Boss ” must have at least 3,000 jet flight-hours and have commanded a jet squadron. The Commanding Officer flies the Number 1 jet.

To the left are all the officers for the 2009 team.