2014: The Return of the US Navy Blue Angels

With the relaxing of the budget, 2014 has seen a limited return to the US air show circuit of military jets including the US Navy Blue Angels display team who fly the McDonnell Douglas F/A-18 Hornet. I am happy to say I got to see the Blues once again at the Sun ‘n Fun air show in Lakeland, Florida this year.

The Blue Angels are ready to hit the skies

Naturally the display was kicked off by a spirited Fat Albert flyby. Fat Albert is a Lockheed C-130 Hercules flown by the US Marine Corps which acts as the support aircraft for the team and always puts on a special show of its own.

Here comes Fat Albert

Hey, hey, hey!

Filling the sky with jet noise, soaring far and wide then close and tight, the Blue Angels put on an impressive show! The team kept the crowd enthralled from the moment they took off. As always their display was one to remember!

So close

These guys are incredibly skilled and a formation like this shows it so well

Go Blues!

US Navy Blue Angels

Precision flying

The McDonnell Douglas F/A-18 Hornet is the steed of the Angels

Letting it all hang out (even whilst inverted)!

Landing gear and arrestor hook down

The Blues fill the sky

Break!

The full team reach for the skies

Great display!

The Angels have landed

It’s hard to beat the noise and speed of the fast jets and the Blue Angels are one of the best teams you will see in the world. The 12 month hiatus wasn’t much fun for anyone (the team included) but what a blast it was to see them finally fly again!

US Navy Blue Angels – Thankyou Gentleman