Blue Angels Homecoming Air Show 2022 returns to NAS Pensacola: What you need to know
The Blue Angels announced in September that the team would wrap up the 2022 air show season onboard the Naval Air Station Pensacola on Friday and Saturday.
This will be the first time NAS Pensacola hosts the homecoming show since 2019. The base has been closed to everyone but Department of Defense ID cardholders since December 2019.
The theme for this year's air show will celebrate 100 years of carrier aviation.
Here’s everything you’ll need to know before heading out this weekend.
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 Nov. 11 and 12. 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.
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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, and are only valid for the day for which they have been purchased.
Directions to Main, West gates
Instructions: Click more options to enter your starting point address. Google Maps will then map out the best route. Both the Main and West Gates will be open.
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. Nov. 11 and 12. There will not be a night show this year. A special operations paratrooper team will be parachuting out of Fat Albert, the Blue Angels’ C-130 Hercules. 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.
Static displays
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.
Theme
In March 1922, the USS Jupiter was recommissioned as the USS Langley, the first aircraft carrier, catapulting naval aviation to the forefront of naval operations. This year, planes will be flying in honor of this anniversary. Chief among those flying for this celebration will be the Blue Angels.
Weather
According to accuweather.com, weather for Friday and Saturday should be mostly sunny and warm, with highs expected to be in the 70s. Airshow officials are keeping track of what is now Subtropical Storm Nicole, which is not expected as of Monday to impact the Pensacola area.
Updated forecast below:
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
About the performers
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.
This article originally appeared on Pensacola News Journal: Blue Angels Air Show 2022 Homecoming: Everything you need to know
