Blue Angels Airshow 2023 at NAS Pensacola: What you need to know
The NAS Pensacola Blue Angels Homecoming Air Show returns Friday and Saturday with a special theme: “Celebrating Women in Aviation.”
The two-day air show will be held onboard the Naval Air Station Pensacola. Gates will open around 8 a.m. and the show starts promptly at 9:30 a.m.
Here’s everything we know about the Blue Angels Homecoming Show.
Where do you park?
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. 3 and 4.
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.
Parking and admission for the event is free.
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. both Friday and Saturday. Guests are encouraged to arrive early and bring their own seating. The Blue Angels will fly at approximately 2 p.m. both Friday and Saturday.
The Blue Angels Homecoming Air Show is the bittersweet culmination of the Blue Angels’ return to their home base: NAS Pensacola. It’s a wrap-up celebration of their performance season in which the Blues put on one last hurrah before the season ends and the last time residents will hear the familiar roars of their blue and gold F/A-18 Super Hornets until practice resumes next spring.
Where can you see the Budweiser Clydesdales?
The world-famous Budweiser Clydesdale horses are going to be prancing and posing at the jet-loud annual Blue Angels Air Show, Nov. 3 and Nov. 4 at Naval Air Station Pensacola.
The Budweiser Clydesdales will be hitched to their famous beer wagon and on display near the flightline at least 90 minutes before the 9:30 a.m. airshow start. Gates open at 8 a.m.
Local Anheuser-Busch distributor the Lewis Bear Company is host for the Pensacola Clydesdale events.
What civilian acts perform at Blue Angels show?
Civilian and other aerobatic demonstration teams begin performing at 9:30 a.m. and perform throughout the day with breaks in between.
F-35 Demo Team
The F-35A Lightning II is the U.S. Air Force’s newest fifth-generation fighter. The Lightning II is a stealthy, multirole, all-weather air-to-air and surface attack fighter. It is designed to enable direct attack against the most heavily defended ground targets. It will replace the U.S. Air Force’s aging fleet of F-16 Fighting Falcons and A-10 Thunderbolt II’s, which have been the primary fighter aircraft for more than 20 years, and bring with it an enhanced capability to survive in the advanced threat environment in which it was designed to operate.
Rob Holland
Rob Holland is one of the most decorated, respected, and innovative aerobatic pilots and airshow performers in the world today. Flying the MXS-RH, an all carbon fiber, competition-ready, single-seat aerobatic airplane designed and built by MX Aircraft, Holland brings an unrivaled performance to airshows across North America, thrilling millions of spectators with his dynamic and breathtaking display.
Adam Baker Airshows
Adam "Shake n' Bake" Baker is an award-winning airshow pilot who loves to share his story with the younger generations. He is one of the few in the industry who didn't come from an airshow or aviation family. Baker has dedicated his entire professional career to the progression of flying. He loves to fly it all and holds almost every rating possible, from Jets to helicopters to the most agile of aerobatic aircraft.
RAD Aerosports
Jarrod Lindemann is a fourth-generation aviator. Growing up on a farm in rural North Dakota, he always worked with his hands. He watched his father in his aerial spraying business. From his first flight, he was hooked and loved watching his father fly. Working his way up in the airshow business, Lindemann now enjoys performing and sharing the one and only Jet Waco with the world. Not only does Lindemann fly the Jet Waco, but he has also partnered with nonprofits and Veteran organizations to raise awareness, promote, and honor our Veterans.
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.
Third Strike WingWalkers
Third Strike Wingwalking offers a variety of different acts. The staples to any Third Strike act are a bright red biplane, a daring wing walker, the best pilot skills available and mountains of billowing smoke. Third Strike routine acts include the original Third Strike wing-walking routine, a dual act featuring two wingwalkers traveling atop the bi-plane and the Vintage Stearman solo, which depicts the USAF service of the aircraft.
Smoke and Thunder Jet Car
The Smoke and Thunder Jet Car has a fire-breathing, 10,000-horsepower jet engine that can approach speeds up to 400 mph. The Smoke and Thunder will race a plane, giving it a 150-mph head start.
Rusty “Crash” Miller, Lt Col USAF (Ret)
Retired Lt Col Rusty "Crash" Miller retired after 20 years in the U.S. Air Force after having accumulated over 3,000 military flight hours. He flew over 2,000 miles in the F-15C aircraft, including over 250 combat hours over IRAQ during Operation Desert Shield and Desert Storm, Provide Comfort and Southern Watch.
Daniel "Doc" Serrato
After graduating from Medical School, Dan “Doc” Serrato completed a general surgery sub-specialty residency in Houston. In January 1989, he joined the Navy and completed the Student Naval Flight Surgeon Program at NAS Pensacola.
He soloed the T-34C and received his Wings of Gold on June 29, 1989. His first duty station was officer in charge of Branch Medical Clinic at NAF Detroit at Selfridge Air National Guard Base. For four years, he provided medical coverage for Navy, Marine, Air Force, Army, and Coast Guard service members.
After leaving active duty and starting an anesthesia residency in Mississippi, he affiliated with the Navy Reserves at NAS Memphis. Moving back to Georgia, he was attached to VAW-77 at NAS Atlanta, the Navy’s only dedicated counter-drug squadron that operated in the Caribbean and Eastern Pacific. It was tasked with 180 days a year in theater, and from 1998 to 2013 was a major player in surface and air interdiction. Doc was able to serve as the flight surgeon and co-pilot and accumulated about 1,200 hours in the E-2C Hawkeye.
After VAW-77 was decommissioned in 2013, Doc became a VR-54 flight surgeon at NAS New Orleans until his retirement in May of 2015 after 26.5 years of service. Doc continues to fly in his T-34B and has owned a T-28C and a C-1A Grumman COD. Doc is a commercial MSEL instrument-rated pilot with 4,00 flight hours, is a senior medical examiner for the FAA, and has flown in the NAS Pensacola air shows since 2005.
Melissa Burns
Melissa is a professional aerobatic pilot, display skydiver and B.A.S.E. Jumper. In 2006, at 22 years old Melissa became the youngest female member of the United States Unlimited Aerobatic Team in history. She placed 3rd overall in the 2015 World Aerobatic Championships after 10 years of competing at the Unlimited World Level. Melissa was named the Fastest Woman in the World at the World Champion Wingsuit B.A.S.E. Jumping Race in Norway in 2015 and has participated in numerous Skydiving World Records. She was also named as an inductee to the Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University Chancellor's Hall of Fame in 2015 in Prescott, AZ. She now travels with her team performing in Airshow Displays for audiences worldwide.
Tora Tora Tora
The Tora Bomb Squad, part of the Commemorative Air Force, will dazzle the crowd with a firewall so that you can feel the heat radiating and see the explosions.
Precision Exotics
Precision Exotics is the culmination of multiple individuals' life experiences and passions combined into one idea. The team has over 50 years of combined military or military-related experience, most in the aviation sector.
The United States Navy Band - Pride
Navy Band Southeast "Pride" Popular Music Group is one of the many units comprised of musical ambassadors that inspire pride and patriotism for public concerts, school clinics and much more throughout the southeastern U.S.
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, bounce houses, a Euro Bungee, and much 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.
Is there a handicap area?
Yes but it is first come, first served. A companion may sit with the wheelchair member, but large family groups are asked not to take up space that others with handicap needs would like to use.
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 Homecoming?
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
This article originally appeared on Pensacola News Journal: Blue Angels Airshow 2023 at NAS Pensacola: What you need to know
