'Celebrating One Small Step': NAS Pensacola announces Blue Angels Homecoming Airshow theme

Naval Air Station Pensacola announced Monday 2024's theme for the Blue Angels Homecoming Airshow, celebrating "one of the most significant events in aviation history."

Pensacola's homecoming show, featuring the U.S. Navy Flight Demonstration Squadron Blue Angels and U.S. Air Force Air Demonstration Squadron The Thunderbirds, is themed "Celebrating One Small Step" after the Apollo 11 mission's lunar landing on July 20, 1969.

"Twenty-five percent of all U.S. astronauts have served in either the U.S. Navy or Marine Corps, and as Navy or Marine Corps aviators, they started their training and careers right here in Pensacola," said Capt. Terry Shashaty, NAS Pensacola's commanding officer. "Given the enormity of what NASA was able to accomplish more than a half century ago, celebrating this at the NAS Pensacola 2024 Blue Angels Homecoming Airshow will pay homage to not only a great aviation accomplishment, but will also celebrate the U.S. Navy and Marine Corps' contribution to one of mankind's greatest achievements."

During 1969's Apollo 11 mission, Navy pilot Lt. j.g. Neil Armstrong became the first person to set foot on the moon, while uttering his famous line, "That's one small step for man, one giant leap for mankind."

Related: Headed to your first Blue Angels air show? Here's what to know about the team

"In a tribute to those famous words, the NAS Pensacola 2024 Blue Angels Homecoming Airshow will be 'Celebrating One Small Step,' a tribute to the intrepid spirit of the men and women who have served in the U.S. Armed Forces' aviation communities as well as to NASA's commitment to making air and space available to everyone, for the benefit of all."

The 2024 Blue Angels Homecoming Airshow is scheduled for Nov. 1 and 2 onboard NAS Pensacola.

This article originally appeared on Pensacola News Journal: Blue Angels homecoming air show themed after Apollo 11 mission to moon