In 1946, the Chief of Naval Operations, Admiral Chester Nimitz, had a vision to create a flight exhibition team in order to raise the public's interest in naval aviation and boost Navy morale.
In the 1940's, the Blue Angels thrilled audiences with precision combat maneuvers in the F6 Hellcat, the F8 Bearcat and the F9 Panther. During the 1950's, the Angels refined their demonstration with aerobatic maneuvers in the F9 Cougar and F-11 Tiger and introduced the first six-plane delta formation, still flown to this day. By the end of the 1960's, the Blue Angels were flying the F-4 Phantom, the only two seat aircraft flown by the delta formation. In 1974, they transitioned to the A-4 Skyhawk, a smaller and lighter aircraft with a tighter turning radius allowing for a more dynamic flight demonstration. In 1986, the Blue Angels celebrated their 40th Anniversary by unveiling the Boeing F/A-18 Hornet, which they still fly to this day.
On September 4th and 5th the Blue Angels were performing at the Brunswick Maine Executive Airport (formerly the Brunswick Naval Air Station). Some photos from a great show highlighting “Flight & Freedom” are shown here.
