Originally the team was known as the Navy Flight Exhibition Team. They were re branded as the Blue Angels after one of the pilots came across the name of New York City's Blue Angel Nightclub in The New Yorker magazine.  They officially were introduced as the Blue Angels to the public on July 21, 1946 in Omaha Nebraska.

Current aircraft

The Blues' F/A-18 Hornets are former fleet aircraft that are nearly combat-ready. Modifications to each aircraft include removal of the aircraft gun and replacement with the tank that contains smoke-oil used in demonstrations, and outfitting with the control stick spring system for more precise aircraft control input. The standard demonstration configuration has a spring tensioned with 40 pounds (18 kg) of force installed on the control stick as to allow the pilot minimal room for uncommanded movement. The Blues do not wear G-suits, because the air bladders inside them would repeatedly deflate and inflate, interfering with the control stick between the pilot's legs. Instead, Blue Angel pilots tense their muscles to prevent blood from rushing from their heads and rendering them unconscious.

The Lead Solo-Blue Angel #5 image: Collection

The show's narrator flies Blue Angel 7, a two-seat F/A-18D Hornet, to show sites. The Blues use this jet for backup, and to give demonstration rides to VIP civilians. Three backseats at each show are available; one of them goes to members of the press, the other two to “Key Influencers”.The No.4 slot pilot often flies the No. 7 aircraft in Friday's “practice” shows.

Blue Angel #7 image: Flickr

The Blue Angels use a United States Marine Corps C-130T Hercules, nicknamed “Fat Albert”, for their logistics, carrying spare parts, equipment, and to carry support personnel between shows. Beginning in 1975, “Bert” was used for Jet Assisted Take Off (JATO) and short aerial demonstrations just prior to the main event at selected venues, but the JATO demonstration ended in 2009 due to dwindling supplies of rockets. “Fat Albert Airlines” flies with an all-Marine crew of three officers and five enlisted personnel.

Fat Albert image: Collection

Team Members

Members of the 2016 U.S. Navy Blue Angels are: 

• Flying Blue Angel No.1, Commander Ryan Bernacchi, USN (Commanding Officer/Flight Leader)
• Flying Blue Angel No.2, Lieutenant Matt Suyderhoud, USN (Right Wing)
• Flying Blue Angel No.3, Lieutenant Lance Benson, USN (Left Wing)
• Flying Blue Angel No.4, Lieutenant Andy Talbott, USN (Slot)
• Flying Blue Angel No.5, Lieutenant Ryan Chamberlain, USN (Lead Solo)
• Flying Blue Angel No.6, Captain Jeff Kuss, USMC (Opposing Solo)
• Flying Blue Angel No.7, Lieutenant Tyler Davies, USN (Advance Pilot/Narrator)
• Events Coordinator, Blue Angel No.8, Captain Corrie Mays, USMC
• Flying Fat Albert, Major Mark Montgomery, USMC
• Flying Fat Albert, Major Mark Hamilton, USMC
• Flying Fat Albert, Captain Katie Higgins, USMC
• Executive Officer, Commander Bob Flynn, USN
• Maintenance Officer, Lieutenant Samuel Rose, USN
• Flight Surgeon, Lieutenant Commander Joe Schwartz, MC USN
• Administrative Officer, Lieutenant junior grade Phillip Harper, USN
• Supply Officer, Lieutenant Gregory Bollinger, USN
• Public Affairs Officer, Lieutenant Joe Hontz, USN

Experience the Blue Angels in 360-degree video 

Source: USA Today

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