U.S. Navy Blue Angels & U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds practice for the upcoming air show season
In anticipation of the 2025 air show season, before dawn last Saturday morning I made the two-hour drive from my home in San Diego to Seeley, California, just beyond a runway and outside a perimeter fence of Naval Air Station (NAS) El Centro, in order to watch and photograph a practice session of the U.S. Navy Blue Angels, which were rumored to be taking off at 8:00AM, followed shortly thereafter by the U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds.
My drive east on I-8 went through a scenic mountain pass covered by a millions-of-years-old, massive expanse of rounded boulders, and huge, towering wind turbines. Then the terrain flattened and I reached my destination in the Imperial Valley.
It had been several years since I had last been here. At that time, the more athletic photographers were able to climb on top of a large stack of conveniently placed hay bales, in order to take pictures of the planes taking off without having the perimeter fence in their shots. See https://automatters.net/2017-naval-air-facility-el-centro-air-show-featuring-the-blue-angels/.
These days the hay bales are no longer there, so the large number of spectators watched from the boundary dirt road — some photographers shooting from the beds of pickup trucks, through sunroofs and from ladders. I mostly opted for the stability of standing on the ground.
As we are told by the Commanding Officer regarding the U.S. Navy Blue Angels: “Since 1946, it has been our honor to represent the United States Navy and Marine Corps to audiences both at home and abroad as we showcase the excitement, precision, and power of naval aviation.”
“Our team consists of 140 world-class, active-duty Sailors and Marines, each one bringing experience and expertise from their service in the fleet. We are honored to serve as the representatives of the more than 800,000 active-duty, reserve, and civilian men and women currently serving worldwide in the Navy and Marine Corps.”
“By design and by their nature, naval forces operate abroad and are seldom seen by our nation’s citizens. The Blue Angels have the unique ability to highlight the importance of naval aviation while honoring its historical significance. We proudly represent the heritage, agility, flexibility, and importance of naval aviation to 21st-century warfighting.”
“Our team looks forward to showcasing the mainstay of modern naval air power operating off U.S. aircraft carriers, the combat-proven F/A-18 Super Hornet, along with the Marine Corps’ premiere logistics support aircraft, the C-130J Super Hercules. Both of these aircraft are operating around the world and around the clock carrying out the mission of our Navy and Marine Corps team.”
“We enter our 79th year with a dedication to the mission, strong work ethic, and a relentlessly positive attitude. These values have underscored every Blue Angels performance since the organization’s inception. Each member of our team strives daily to ensure the flight demonstration epitomizes the teamwork, professionalism, and precision found in every aspect of the United States Navy and Marine Corps. Our team is thrilled to have the opportunity to share our passion for our profession and our nation with people around the world.”
Likewise, at the website of the U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds, we learn that: “On May 25, 1953, just six years after the U.S. Air Force became its own branch of service, the Thunderbirds were born as the Air Force’s official air demonstration team. The team, designated the 3600th Air Demonstration Unit, was activated at Luke AFB, Arizona. Over the years and with many different aircraft, the Thunderbirds have continued to represent those who deserve the most credit: the hardworking Airmen who serve our country every day.”
“The Thunderbirds perform for people all around the world to display the pride, precision and professionalism the U.S. Air Force represents. Through air shows and flyovers, they aim to excite and inspire. In addition to showcasing the elite skills all pilots must possess, the Thunderbirds demonstrate the incredible capabilities of the Air Force’s premier multi-role fighter jet, the F-16 Fighting Falcon.”
“There is nothing like experiencing a Thunderbirds performance in person. Watch powerful fighter jets elegantly maneuver in the sky with only a few feet separating each wingtip.”
For more information and air show schedules, visit https://www.blueangels.navy.mil and https://www.airforce.com/thunderbirds/overview.
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Copyright © 2025 by Jan Wagner – AutoMatters & More #873
Those are real great photos.
I’ve always love Jet fighters in movies and I’ve watched a lot of youtube videos of them.
Great article Jan.
Congrats.
Thank you for the complement. At their air shows spectators may not be near the end of the runway, so being there gave us unique, close-up views of the airplanes. Hearing protection was absolutely necessary.
Jan
Jan, great photos. To my unprofessional eyes, the plane in your 2017 hay bale photo seems to be the same model used today. I wonder how many years they use the same planes before they are retired?
One question. I know the Blue Angels and Thunderbirds appear in the same air show, but do they ever perform together in the same formation?
David.
Thanks David,
Those are good questions. I wish that I knew the answers. Maybe our friend Google knows?
Jan