Blue Angels return 'home' to celebrate 60th anniversary

Nimitz's purpose for the Blue Angels was to showcase naval aviation and generate public support for the armed services. The squadron performed their first air show June 15, 1946 at Craig Air Field, Jacksonville. Since then, the team has relocated to NAS Corpus Christi in 1951 and finally settled at its current location, Sherman Field NAS Pensacola in 1955.

The aircraft currently used by the Blue Angels is the Boeing F/A-18 Hornet, introduced in November 1986. However, over the past 60 years, the squadron has used eight different models of aircraft. The F8-F Bearcat was the inaugural aircraft and only made it for the first two years of presentation before technology sped the advancement of jet engines. In 1948, the F9-F Panther was introduced and a whole new level of demonstrations was launched for the public. The Blues were able to incorporate shocking stunts and formation flying since the propellers of the Bearcat were no longer an issue.

Also used today as part of the Blue Angels demonstration is ''Fat Albert'', the C-130 that the Blue Angels have had since 1970. Fat Albert holds 46,000 pounds of fuel and has a cruising speed of 300 mph. The maximum takeoff weight is 155,000 pounds and the shaft horsepower is about 4,500 per engine.

The Blue Angels have performed for more than 393 million spectators since their inception and have had nearly 70 air shows scheduled for the 2006 flight season. The members of the team spend a lot of time away from home, dedicating most of their time and commitment to the integrity of the squadron. ''The ambition and dedication that it takes to be a member of the Blue Angels must come from an inspiration that goes beyond the call of duty,'' said Blue Angels No. 6 pilot, Lt. Cmdr. John Allison. ''I grew up around the Blue Angels training base and went to the air shows. It looked like a fun job and I was attracted to the precision and professionalism.''

When Allison, who was away from home for more than 300 days last year, was asked where his favorite place to perform is, he replied, ''Each place is good in it's own way. Some are beautiful and some have such nice people it makes your head spin.''

Other scheduled events at the air show this year were U.S. Army Special Operations Command Black Daggers Parachute Team, P-3 and S-3 Viking flight demonstrations, Disabled American Veterans B-25 Bomber and an assortment of other air show performers, both civilian and military. The Blue Angel's mission is to enhance Navy and Marine Corps recruiting efforts and to represent the naval service to the United States, its selected leadership and foreign nations. The Blue Angels serve as positive role models and goodwill ambassadors for the U.S. Navy and Marine Corps.