Thunderbirds will fly with Blue Angels during homecoming air show

Benjamin Johnson, Pensacola News Journal
Updated ·2 min read

Naval Air Station Pensacola announced Monday that the U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds will fly alongside the U.S. Navy Flight Demonstration Squadron Blue Angels during Pensacola's Homecoming Air Show in November.

In a release, NAS Pensacola says the Thunderbirds will perform alongside the Blue Angels on Nov. 1 and Nov. 2 onboard NAS Pensacola to finish Blues' 2024 show season.

"Having our military's top flight demonstration teams perform at the 'Cradle of Naval Aviation' will undoubtedly be an experience you won't want to miss!" said Capt. Terry Shashaty, NAS Pensacola's commanding officer. "The Blue Angels and Homecoming Air Show are most certainly ingrained in the identity of Pensacola and the surrounding communities, and we are proud to be able to host a family-friendly event showcasing the capabilities and precision of both the Navy and Air Force teams as well as our civilian performers!"

The announcement comes after NAS Pensacola released a 17-second video Thursday of a single photo showing three F-16 Fighting Falcon jets flown by the Thunderbirds on each side of the Blue Angels' famous Delta formation, forming the "Super Delta" formation.

Thunderbirds leader Lt. Col. Nathan Malafa said, "The NAS Pensacola Blue Angels Homecoming Air Show will provide an exciting finale to our 2024 season.

The U.S. Navy Blue Angels and Air Force Thunderbirds practice a joint formation over Imperial Valley, California. Both flight demonstration squads will be flying at the Blue Angels Homecoming Air Show Nov. 1-2.
The U.S. Navy Blue Angels and Air Force Thunderbirds practice a joint formation over Imperial Valley, California. Both flight demonstration squads will be flying at the Blue Angels Homecoming Air Show Nov. 1-2.

"Our demonstrations showcase the incredible milestones a team can accomplish when they work together," Malafa said. "It's an honor to perform alongside our Navy counterparts; we both started building the foundations of our 2024 teams together in El Centro and will end our seasons together in a display of excellence."

Who fly the Thunderbirds F-16 Fighting Falcon jets?

Here are the six pilots who fly for the Thunderbirds in the 2024 season, according to the Air Force:

  • Lt. Col. Nathan Malafa — Commander

  • Maj. Zachary Taylor — Left wing pilot

  • Maj. Tyler Clark — Right wing pilot

  • Maj. Jake Impellizzeri — Slot pilot

  • Maj. Eric Tise — Lead solo pilot

  • Maj. Jeffrey Downie — Opposing solo pilot

Have the Blue Angels and Thunderbirds ever flown together?

In Late April 2017, the Flying Blues and Thunderbirds combined for a rare joint training in Pensacola, and the two teams combined again three years later in 2020 for another joint training in Pensacola.

They later debuted the "Super Delta" formation during the 16th annual National Memorial Day Parade in 2021. The "Super Delta" is created when three of the Thunderbirds' F-16 Fighting Falcon jets flank each side of the Blue Angels' traditional Delta formation, creating a 12-jet formation.

Both teams performed in the Point Mugu Air Show in 2023 at Naval Base Ventura County in California.

This article originally appeared on Pensacola News Journal: Blue Angels, Thunderbirds will fly at Homecoming Show at NAS Pensacola