The Blue Angels are the United States Navy’s Flight Demonstration Squadron, flying aerial displays in front of more than 400 million spectators since their formation in 1946. The Angels were created in order to boost Navy morale and demonstrate the Navy’s air power. The group is made up of aviators from the Navy and United States Marine Corps. Pilots generally serve two years on the team. The current plane of the Blue Angels, the McDonnell Douglas FA-18 Hornet was unveiled in 1986. In 2008, more than 13 million people watched the choreographed acrobatics of the flight squad. They are scheduled to fly 69 air shows in 2009.
Here’s a video showing the Blue Angels for those that want more information:
