Ready to watch the Blue Angels Pensacola Beach Air Show? Here's what you need to know
It's July. Which means frequent rain, searing heat and, of course, the annual Blue Angels Pensacola Beach Air Show.
Being the U.S. Navy Flight Demonstration Squadron Blue Angels hometown, Pensacola gets a few extra fun encounters with the Blues leading up to the official air show, known as Red, White and Blues Week.
Here's everything you need to know about the Blue Angels Pensacola Beach Air Show.
What is the Blue Angels schedule for the Pensacola Beach air show?
The Pensacola Beach Air show acts as the culmination of Red, White and Blues Week in Pensacola.
Here's the schedule for the week:
July 10 at 8 a.m.: Breakfast with the Blues on Casino Beach
July 11 at 2 p.m.: Blue Angels air show practice on Casino Beach
July 12 at noon: Full Pensacola Beach Air Show dress rehearsal on Casino Beach
July 13 at noon: Official Pensacola Beach Air Show on Casino Beach
When is the Blue Angels Pensacola Beach Air Show?
The Pensacola Beach Air Show will begin around noon as civilian flight demonstrations begin and conclude around 3 p.m. on July 13.
The Blue Angels are scheduled to begin flying around 2 p.m. and will perform for roughly one hour.
Where to watch the Blue Angels at the Pensacola Beach Air Show?
Prime viewing of the Blue Angels at the Pensacola Beach Air Show is on Casino Beach.
If there's room, you can grab a seat at Casino Beach Bar & Grill, Crabs We Got 'Em or beachside hotels if you've reserved a room facing the Gulf of Mexico.
Where can I park at the Blue Angels air show on Pensacola Beach?
The best place to park is the Casino Beach parking lot, but it's your best bet to arrive before the sun rises. In recent years, the parking lot filled before 6 a.m.
If spots are full, additional parking is available at Park East and Park West.
The Santa Rosa Island Authority will be operating its free trolley the day of the air show, which will take beachgoers to and from the main beach.
Pensacola Beach Air Show performers
Here's who you can expect to see before the Blue Angels:
Skip Stewart
Redline
Carol Pilon and Third Strike Wingwalking
Veterans Flight
Julian MacQueen
Kevin Coleman
Red Bull Air Force Team with pilot Aaron Fitzgerald
Patty Wagstaff
When do the Blue Angels fly during the Pensacola Beach Air Show?
The Blue Angels will begin their demonstration around 2 p.m. with fan favorite Fat Albert to round out the show.
After Fat Albert's demonstration, the Blues will perform for roughly an hour.
Will the Thunderbirds fly with the Blue Angels at the Pensacola Beach Air Show?
No. The U.S. Air Force 3600th Air Demonstration Unit Thunderbirds will not fly with the Blues during the Pensacola Beach Air Show.
However, the Thunderbirds are scheduled to fly together during the Pensacola Homecoming Air Show scheduled for Nov. 1-2.
What jets do the Blue Angels fly?
This will be the fourth year the Blue Angels fly the Super Hornet F/A-18 E/F jets.
The team previously flew the F/A-18 Hornets, which they flew since 1986.
Blue Angel pilots in 2024
Here are the Blue Angels pilots who will perform during the 2024 Pensacola Beach Air Show.
#1 Cmdr. Alexander Armatas — Cmdr. Alexander P. Armatas is a native of Skaneateles, New York. He graduated from the United States Naval Academy in 2002 with a Bachelor of Science in aerospace engineering.
#2 Lt. Cmdr. Jack Keilty — Lt. Cmdr. Jack Keilty, is a native of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, where he attended Mount Saint Mary Catholic High School, graduating in 2005. He attended the Virginia Military Institute in Lexington, Virginia, where he lettered in football and earned a Bachelor's Degree in history in 2010. Upon graduation he was commissioned an ensign in the United States Navy and reported to Naval Air Station Pensacola, Florida, for Aviation Preflight Indoctrination (API)."
#3 Lt. Wesley Perkins — Lt. James Wesley Perkins is a native from Pordenone, Italy, grew up in Georgetown, Texas, and graduated from Hutto High School in 2009. He attended Texas A&M University graduating with a degree in ocean engineering in 2014. Perkins commissioned as an ensign through the Reserve Officers' Training Corps.
#4 Lt. Cmdr. Amanda Lee — Lt. Cmdr. Amanda Lee is a native of Mounds View, Minnesota. She graduated from Irondale High School in 2004, where she competed in soccer, ice hockey and swimming. While attending the University of Minnesota Duluth, Amanda enlisted in the U.S. Navy as an aviation electronics technician (AT) and reported to her first command, VFA-136 "Knighthawks." She was selected to commission as a pilot through the Seaman-to-Admiral (STA-21) commissioning program in 2009. The following year, Lee attended the Naval Science Institute (NSI) for officer training in Newport, Rhode Island, and simultaneously began her studies at Old Dominion University in Norfolk, Virginia, where she received a Bachelor of Science in biochemistry.
#5 Lt. Cmdr. Griffin Stangel — Lt. Cmdr. Griffin Stangel is a native of Madison, Wisconsin, and graduated from Madison West High School in 2008. He attended the University of North Dakota in Grand Forks, North Dakota, and graduated with a Bachelor of Science in air traffic control in 2012. Immediately after graduation, he reported to Newport, Rhode Island, where he received his commission as an ensign in the United States Navy after completion of Officer Candidate School.
#6 Cdr. Thomas Zimmerman — Cmdr. Thomas Zimmerman is a native of Baltimore, Maryland. He graduated from St. Paul's School in 2004 lettering in football, wrestling and lacrosse. After graduation, he attended the United States Naval Academy Preparatory School in Newport, Rhode Island, for one year prior to attending the United States Naval Academy in Annapolis, Maryland. He lettered in lacrosse at both schools and graduated from the Naval Academy with a Bachelor of Science in ocean engineering, earning his commission as an Ensign in the U.S. Navy in 2009.
#7 Lt. Connor O'Donnell (Narrator) — Lt. Connor O’Donnell is a native of Freeport, Maine, and graduated from Yarmouth High School in 2011. Following high school, he attended the United States Naval Academy and graduated in 2015 with a Bachelor’s Degree in operations research."
#8 Lt. Cmdr. Brian Vaught — Lt. Cmdr. Brian Vaught is a native of Englewood, Colorado. He graduated from Cherry Creek High School in 2004, where he lettered in lacrosse. After high school he attended the University of Colorado in Boulder, Colorado, where he graduated with a Bachelor of Science in business administration. Upon graduation, Brian worked in professional sports marketing and promotions, eventually attending Officer Candidate School in Newport, Rhode Island, where he earned his commission as an ensign in the U.S. Navy in 2011."
What can you bring to the Pensacola Beach Air Show?
Here are some things you should bring with you to the Pensacola Beach Air Show:
Chairs, blankets or something comfortable to sit on
Food and snacks
A cooler to bring drinks and keep them cool
Backpacks
Sunscreen
What can't you bring to the Pensacola Beach Air Show?
The Santa Rosa Island Authority says you cannot bring the following to Pensacola Beach:
Glass containers
Alcohol (if west of the Pensacola Beach Gulf Pier)
Open containers off the boardwalk or establishment
Grills
Dogs or animals outside of designated dog parks (excludes service animals)
This article originally appeared on Pensacola News Journal: Blue Angels air show 2024 on Pensacola Beach set for July 13
