The Blue Angels are the United States Navy’s flight demonstration squadron. They are one of the oldest aerial demonstration teams in the world, having first performed in 1946. The Blue Angels showcase the pride and professionalism of the United States Navy and Marine Corps by inspiring a culture of excellence and service through flight demonstrations and community outreach. Their home base provides facilities for training, aircraft maintenance, and hosting air shows.
History of the Blue Angels
The Blue Angels were formed in 1946 at the orders of Admiral Chester W. Nimitz, the Chief of Naval Operations. Nimitz wanted to boost public morale and interest in naval aviation after the demobilization that occurred at the end of World War II. The first Blue Angels team used propeller-driven Grumman F6F Hellcats. The Blue Angels transitioned to jet aircraft in 1949, using the Grumman F9F-2 Panther. Other aircraft used over the years include the McDonnell Douglas F-4J Phantom II, the Douglas A-4F Skyhawk, the McDonnell Douglas F/A-18 Hornet, and currently the Boeing F/A-18E/F Super Hornet.
The squadron was originally based at Naval Air Station Jacksonville, Florida. For over 25 years, the Blue Angels operated out of Forrest Sherman Field at Naval Air Station Pensacola, Florida. In 1987, the team moved to Naval Air Station Corpus Christi, Texas. Currently, the Blue Angels are based at Naval Air Station Pensacola following their return to Pensacola in 1993.
Facilities at the Blue Angels’ Home Base
The Blue Angels operate out of Forrest Sherman Field at Naval Air Station Pensacola in Pensacola, Florida. This air station provides extensive facilities to support the squadron’s training and maintenance requirements and hosting air shows.
Naval Air Station Pensacola is the initial training base for all Navy, Marine Corps, and Coast Guard aviators and Naval Flight Officers. It is home to the Naval Aviation Schools Command and Chief of Naval Aviation Training. This provides the Blue Angels with access to aviation training facilities and aircraft simulators.
The air station has two asphalt paved runways measuring 8,000 feet and 7,000 feet long. There is ramp space for over 300 aircraft, as well as 700,000 square yards of paved airfield parking space and 1.3 million square yards of concrete ramp parking space. Hangars provide nearly half a million square feet for aircraft maintenance and storage.
Other features that support the Blue Angels include:
– Aviation training facilities with classrooms and simulators
– Maintenance hangars for aircraft repair and overhaul
– Supply warehouses for spare parts and equipment
– Fuel storage and distribution systems
– Weather forecasting capabilities
– Air traffic control tower
– Emergency response capabilities including crash, rescue, and firefighting services
– Base administrative offices, flight planning center, and living quarters
– Public viewing areas for air shows
Forrest Sherman Field
The Blue Angels perform their practices and air shows at Forrest Sherman Field on the southern side of Naval Air Station Pensacola. Named after the World War II admiral, Forrest Sherman Field has a crowd capacity of over 700,000 spectators. The field has large parking aprons to accommodate the Blue Angels’ aircraft. The open layout allows sufficient space for the team’s ground operations, maintenance tents, and Fat Albert transport aircraft. There is bleacher seating for over 12,000 spectators, and additional grass areas can accommodate fold-out chairs and blankets for viewing air shows.
History of Naval Air Station Pensacola
Naval Air Station Pensacola has a long history as the home base of Naval aviation training and is known as the “Cradle of Naval Aviation”:
| Year | Milestone |
|---|---|
| 1825 | Navy Yard established in Pensacola |
| 1859 | Navy flyers first train at Pensacola |
| 1914 | Naval Aeronautical Station established |
| 1916 | Naval Air Station commissioned |
| 1923 | Forrest Sherman Field commissioned |
| 1935 | Naval Air Training Center established |
| 1941 | Naval Air Technical Training Center established |
| 1948 | Jet aircraft introduced for pilot training |
| 1993 | Blue Angels return to Pensacola |
Some key historic milestones in the development of Naval Air Station Pensacola:
– 1859 – The first Navy air component, a flying camp known as the Naval Air Camp, was established on the grounds of the Navy Yard Warrington in Pensacola. Navy pilots began flying aircraft like hot air balloons and kite balloons for reconnaissance.
– 1914 – Pensacola was selected as the site for one of the Navy’s first two air stations. The Navy recognized the need for a permanent training air base in Pensacola because of its good weather and large bay. Naval Aeronautical Station Pensacola was established.
– 1916 – Congress authorized the construction of a naval air station in Pensacola. Naval Air Station Pensacola was commissioned in order to recruit and train aviators.
– 1935 – The station became the center for primary flight training under the Naval Air Training Center concept.
– 1941 – Just before U.S. involvement in World War II, the station became the Naval Air Technical Training Center.
– 1993 – After leaving in 1987, the Blue Angels returned to their original home base at Pensacola.
Role in Training Naval Aviators
Naval Air Station Pensacola is home to the Naval Aviation Schools Command and serves as the initial training base for all Navy, Marine Corps, and Coast Guard aviators and flight officers. It is also the final stop for naval aviation training before aviators and flight officers join the fleet. Key training programs located at NAS Pensacola:
– The Naval Aviation Schools Command (NASC) oversees flight training, aviation preflight indoctrination, aviation technical training, and professional development courses.
– The Training Air Wing Six conducts primary flight training for student naval aviators, naval flight officers, and flight students from allied nations.
– The Center for Naval Aviation Technical Training (CNATT) provides technical training for sailors and Marines in aviation-related maintenance specialties.
– The Marine Aviation Training Support Group 23 trains new Marine Corps aviators and aviation technical personnel.
– The Naval Operational Medicine Institute provides medical training to prepare air crew and flight surgeons for the rigors of flight.
– The Naval Aerospace Physiology Training school trains sailors in aerospace physiology to monitor aircrew health.
Nearly 1,500 military pilots complete flight training at NAS Pensacola each year. All Blue Angels pilots served as flight instructors at Pensacola earlier in their careers. For naval aviators, Pensacola serves as both the beginning and culmination of their training – from ab initio training to joining the fleet’s demonstration team.
Airfield Operations to Support Training and Air Shows
The airfield at NAS Pensacola must support extensive flight operations for training as well as hosting air shows. Air station personnel manage airfield operations, air traffic control, weather services, and aircraft rescue and firefighting functions.
Key airfield operations related to Blue Angels activities include:
– Handling a high volume of training flights for student pilots. The field must accommodate around 200,000 takeoffs and landings per year.
– Supporting the Blue Angels’ flight training missions. The team conducts training flights year-round to practice maneuvers.
– Coordinating with civilian ATC for Blue Angels transit flights to show sites.
– Providing weather forecasting to inform flight planning and scheduling.
– Performing thorough airfield inspections and maintenance to ensure safe operations.
– Managing air traffic control for the parallel runways and directing aircraft and vehicles on the ground.
– Conducting sweeps of the airfield before performances to ensure no unauthorized access.
– Providing rapid response with aircraft rescue and firefighting units, ambulances, and medical personnel.
Air Show Support
When the Blue Angels perform an air show at home, NAS Pensacola must support huge crowds. Additional airfield staff are brought in to handle:
– Parking and traffic control for tens of thousands of visitors.
– Security screening at entry gates.
– Concessions for food, drinks, and souvenirs.
– Coordination of public viewing areas, seating, Jumbotrons, and announcers.
– Sanitation and cleanup throughout the air show.
– First aid services and emergency medical care.
The airfield must maintain flight safety despite the presence of crowds, infrastructure, and distractions.
Aircraft Maintenance and Support Facilities
Naval Air Station Pensacola provides extensive facilities, equipment, and personnel to maintain and service the Blue Angels’ aircraft fleet. Blue Angels maintainers work out of Hangar 31 at Forrest Sherman Field.
Key maintenance capabilities include:
– Multiple large hangars to house the aircraft indoors. This allows all-weather access for maintenance.
– Specially equipped backshops for avionics, powerplants, hydraulics, structures, ejection systems, etc.
– Assembly and disassembly of the Boeing F/A-18 airframes for component maintenance.
– Supply warehouses stocking spare parts, equipment, and consumables.
– Specialized tools, jacks, and testing equipment for F/A-18 maintenance.
– Trainer aircraft used for systems troubleshooting and problem replication.
– Fueling stations providing JP-5 jet fuel and equipment like oil dispensers.
– Corrosion control and cleaning facilities.
– Machine shops to fabricate or repair parts.
– Engine test cells to test turbofan engine operation after maintenance.
In addition to sailors who are maintainers by trade, support personnel assist with maintenance tasks:
– Quality assurance inspectors evaluate maintenance for completeness and airworthiness.
– Plane captains are responsible for servicing and preparing their assigned aircraft.
– Aviation storekeepers handle parts ordering, storage, issue, and inventory.
– Aviation machinist’s mates operate machine shops and related equipment.
| Maintenance Facility | Purpose |
|---|---|
| Hangars | Aircraft housing for maintenance and storage |
| Backshops | Specialized component repair shops |
| Warehouses | Spare parts storage and distribution |
| Tools | Specialized tools for maintainers |
| Support equipment | Jacks, lifts, generators, testing equipment |
| Corrosion control | Aircraft cleaning and painting |
| Machine shops | Part fabrication and repair |
| Engine test cells | Ground runup and testing of engines |
The station provides all the required equipment, facilities, technical manuals, and supplies to keep the Blue Angels aircraft in perfect flying condition.
Community Outreach Programs
In addition to their air shows, the Blue Angels participate in community outreach programs during their home base time. These programs aim to inspire young people, honor veterans, and connect the Navy with the local community.
Key outreach programs include:
– Show site speaker programs – Team members give talks at local schools and community groups near show sites.
– School field trips – Local students can tour the squadron’s hangars and facilities.
– Pilot mentorship programs – Pilots are paired with high school students to provide motivation and perspective.
– Hospital ward visits – Team members visit VA hospitals and medical centers to recognize patients.
– Veterans memorials – The squadron holds ceremonies honoring those who served.
– Static aircraft displays – The public can access aircraft on the ground and interact with pilots.
– Autograph signings – Blue Angels pilots sign autographs and take photos with fans.
– Galley tours – Chefs demonstrate how they prepare meals for the team.
– Maintenance demonstrations – Sailors show how aircraft are serviced and repaired.
Connecting with the community provides a deeper understanding of the team’s mission, while motivating young people to pursue aviation, technical fields, and military service.
Conclusion
Naval Air Station Pensacola has been the home base of the Blue Angels since their inception in 1946, except for a period from 1987 to 1993. Its facilities for flight training, aircraft maintenance, and community support allow the squadron to thrive as the Navy’s premier demonstration team. The capabilities found at NAS Pensacola enable the Blue Angels to inspire the public with aviation excellence and honor the naval service. The air station serves as both the cradle of naval aviation and the home of its most iconic squadron.