The US Navy’s Blue Angels will bid farewell to legacy Hornets in one final flight in the aircraft that will take place on November 4.
The Flight Demonstration Squadron flying in F/A-18 A/B/C/D Hornets will take-off and land at Naval Air Station (NAS) Pensacola following a 30-minute flight.
The final flight of the Legacy Hornets will signify the official transition of the Blue Angels to the F/A-18 E/F Super Hornet platform.
The 2020 show season marked the end of the service life of the aircraft the team has flown for 34 years. The 2021 show season will be the Blue Angels’ first year flying the Super Hornet platform as well as the 75th anniversary of the team. The squadron recently also received a new “Fat Albert” C-130J plane that will fly alongside the Super Hornets.
“We are incredibly honored to have the opportunity to salute those teams who have flown, maintained and supported this platform for over three decades of service,” said Cmdr. Brian Kesselring, US Navy Blue Angels commanding officer and flight leader.
Flyover locations will include Orange Beach, Gulf Shores, Fort Morgan, Ferry Pass, Navarre Beach and Pensacola Beach, among others. The Blue Angels will be visible from many locations throughout the Pensacola area and along this route.
The squadron is scheduled to begin their winter training syllabus over NAS Pensacola later this month. The team will return to its winter training facilities in El Centro, CA in January. Training will continue through April in preparation for the 2021 show season.
