After a perfect practice show on Friday, the Blue Angels will return to the sky today for the official Homecoming Air Show onboard NAS Pensacola.
It’s the first Homecoming Air Show onboard NAS since 2019 when the base was closed to anyone without a Department of Defense ID. The practice run on Friday, which saw about 72,000 visitors, went off without a major hitch.
Follow along today for our live updates below:
8:40 a.m. | Fans begin looking for best vantage points
All eyes are forward as people begin lining the fence to try and find the best viewing area in preparation for the airshow to begin at 9:30 a.m.
One of the people grabbing a front row seat is Master Sgt. Chuck Doucet, along with his wife Becky, who use every opportunity to see an airshow, even though he is stationed at Maxwell Air Force Base in Montgomery, Alabama.
Friday Rewind:Blue Angels fans pack NAS Pensacola for return of Homecoming Air Show
What you need to know:Blue Angels Homecoming Air Show 2022 returns to NAS Pensacola
“Anytime (the Blue Angels) are flying down here, we try to come,” Chuck said. “It never gets old.”
The Blues hold such a special place in Chuck and Becky’s hearts that they use his leave to see the show.
“We went to see them in Tuscaloosa one year,” Becky said.
8 a.m. | Gates prepare to open
With dew on the ground and the last remnants of fog beginning to dissipate on the horizon, the official Blue Angels Airshow is just hours from beginning.
As the 8 a.m. time for the public grows closer, the base is getting much busier — with increased base personnel, Florida Highway Patrol State Troopers and even two Kona Ice trucks making their way around the base in preparation for the show.
One example is a volunteer for the Blue Angels Souvenirs team and member of the charitable organization Daughters of the Nile, Christine Francis, who can’t wait to provide merchandise to onlookers while watching the show herself.
“I’ve been coming since 1962,” she said. “My organization, Daughters of the Nile, has been volunteering here for seven years.”
Wrap up from Friday show:Blue Angels fans pack NAS Pensacola for return of Homecoming Air Show
What you need to know:Blue Angels Homecoming Air Show 2022 returns to NAS Pensacola
Where is parking?
NAS Pensacola is expecting large crowds for the homecoming air show this year. The Main and West Gates will open to the public at 8 a.m. on Saturday. Inbound traffic will stop at 1:30 p.m. on both days, or earlier if capacity is met, so plan to arrive early.
Handicap seating and parking will be available for those in need. Parking will be laid out similar to years prior with traffic being directed to parking lots by security personnel and signs. Buses will be available to shuttle spectators to the airfield from designated parking lots.
RV and travel trailers are allowed onto NAS Pensacola but parking is limited and on a first-come, first-served basis. No overnight parking will be allowed. Qualified visitors may contact Oak Grove Park or Blue Angels Park for camping reservations.
All guests must exit the base at the conclusion of the air show.
Parking and admission for the event is free.
Do I need tickets?
Admission is free to attend, but premium box seat tickets can be purchased that provide reserved seats located directly on the flight line.
This area offers “in and out” privileges from the box seating area throughout the day for guests to check out static displays, concessions, souvenir booths and exhibitors.
Pick your seat and it will be assigned to you for the entire day. Seating is not under shade for maximum viewing of the air show. However, there will be shade tents available in the back of the seating area on a first- come, first- served basis — standing room only.
Tickets can be purchased at shorturl.at/fBEJU.
Blue Angels schedule
Gates open at 8 a.m. and the show will begin at 9:30 a.m. Guests are encouraged to arrive early and bring their own seating.
The Blue Angels will fly at approximately 2 p.m. Saturday.
Other acts currently expected are:
- A-10 Demonstration Team
- Yak 110
- Ladies For Liberty
- Brian Correll Air Shows
- Stearman Flight Team
- Flash Fire Jet Truck
Blue Angels attractions
In addition to the show, static displays, food, a kids’ zone and memorabilia will be available at numerous concessions stands.
Kids’ zone
The kids’ zone is packed with activities for kids of all ages. There will be an inflatable obstacle course, Spider Mountain, bounce houses and more.
The kids’ zone will remain open throughout the full show. Parents are encouraged to grab a lost parent/child bracelet at the gate, which will provide the parent’s phone number in the event that they are separated from their child.
What you can bring to Blue Angels show?
- Hearing protection is encouraged for all air show spectators, especially children. Ear plugs will be available for purchase at the show.
- Wagons and strollers — strollers, carriages and wagons cannot take up aisle space in the seating areas and must be stowed under the bleachers.
- Chairs and blankets are allowed and recommended for general spectator seating. Items are subject to search.
- Small purses and diaper bags — most other bags, including backpacks and camera bags, will not be allowed.
- Cameras and equipment is allowed, but must be hand carried.
- FRS/GMRS radios are permitted.
What isn’t allowed at Blue Angels show?
- Pets
- Smoking — there are limited smoking areas at the event.
- Coolers
- Outside food and drinks
- Roller skates
- Skateboards
- Bikes
- Personal golf carts
- Weapons — including pocket knives, multi-tools, replicas, toy weapons and pepper spray.
- Radio transmitters/transceivers
U.S. Navy Blue Angels
The Blue Angels flight demonstration team is more than just a group of individuals; brought together to represent the United States Navy and Marine Corps. This team combines the best and brightest, at the top of their craft. Their camaraderie and chemistry assure the team mission is more than just a job – it’s a passion!
Since 1946, the Blue Angels have flown for more than 260 million spectators. The Blue Angels are an American air show favorite and delight audiences across the country with their precision, speed, and aerobatics. During their aerobatic demonstration, the Blues fly six F/A-18 Hornet aircraft, split into the Diamond Formation (Blue Angels 1 through 4) and the Lead and Opposing Solos (Blue Angels 5 and 6). Most of the show alternates between maneuvers performed by the Diamond Formation and those performed by the Solos.
A-10 Demonstration Team
The A-10 is the Air Force’s premier close air support aircraft, providing invaluable protection to troops on the ground. The Air Combat Command A-10 Thunderbolt II Demonstration Team, stationed out of Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, Arizona, brings the aircraft to air shows around the country to showcase the unique combat capabilities of the A-10 “Warthog.” They perform precision aerial maneuvers while highlighting the mission and professionalism of the men and women of the United States Air Force. Additionally, the team brings attention to the Air Force’s proud history by flying formations with historical aircraft in the Air Force Heritage Flight.
Yak 110
The Yak 110 aircraft was originally conceived by renowned Airshow pilot Jeff Boerboon and Master Mechanic Dell Coller in 2013. The Yak 110 is the result of many great people coming together with an incredible passion for aviation innovation and is a re-purposing of two aerobatic aircraft that will certainly inspire the next generation of aviation enthusiasts.
Brian Correll Air Shows
Inspired by Kansas aviation pioneers such as Harold Krier and Tex Johnston, Brian began flying airshows in 2008 and upgraded to his current aircraft in 2010. Correll and his wife Rachel live near Wichita Kansas in a community airpark with their two sons. He is a Production Test Pilot for Textron Aviation and an Instructor Pilot in the Air Force Reserves.
Stearman Flight Team
Stearman Flight is dedicated to enhancing safety and proficiency in Stearman formation flying. They provide FAA authorized Formation Flight Training and F.A.S.T. certification for Stearman pilots, receiving “best in class” acknowledgment by the F.A.S.T. Board of Directors.
Flash Fire Jet Truck
The Flash Fire Jet Truck has a fire-breathing 12,000 horsepower jet engine and reaches speeds exceeding 350 mph. You will be amazed by the amount of fire, smoke, heat, noise, and speed of the Jet Truck driven by Neal Darnell.
Ladies for Liberty
Ladies for Liberty have been known for their renditions of the 1940s, WWII, 1950s Korean War Era, and 1960s Vietnam War Era music. We are still presenting this program of the Andrew Sisters’ style of music through their own rendition of vocals, costumes, hairstyles and the spirit of patriotism reminiscent of the 1940s and 1950s.
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