Changes

|}

|}

The '''Blue Angels''' is the [[United States Navy]]'s flight demonstration who's mission is to enhance Navy and Marine Corps recruiting efforts and to represent the naval service to the United States, its elected leadership and foreign nations. The Blue Angels serve as positive role models and goodwill ambassadors for the U. S. Navy and Marine Corps.

The '''Blue Angels''' is the [[United States Navy]]'s flight demonstration team whose mission is to enhance Navy and Marine Corps recruiting efforts and to represent the naval service to the United States, its elected leadership and foreign nations. The Blue Angels serve as positive role models and goodwill ambassadors for the U. S. Navy and Marine Corps.

A Blue Angels flight demonstration exhibits choreographed refinements of skills possessed by all naval aviators. It includes the graceful aerobatic maneuvers of the four-plane Diamond Formation, in concert with the fast-paced, high-performance maneuvers of its two Solo Pilots. Finally, the team illustrates the pinnacle of precision flying, performing maneuvers locked as a unit in the renowned, six-jet Delta Formation.

A Blue Angels flight demonstration exhibits choreographed refinements of skills possessed by all naval aviators. It includes the graceful aerobatic maneuvers of the four-plane Diamond Formation, in concert with the fast-paced, high-performance maneuvers of its two Solo Pilots. Finally, the team illustrates the pinnacle of precision flying, performing maneuvers locked as a unit in the renowned, six-jet Delta Formation.

The team reorganized the next year and reported to NAS Corpus Christi, Texas, where they began flying the newer and faster version of the Panther, the F9F-5. The Blue Angels remained in Corpus Christi until the winter of 1954 when they relocated to their present home base at NAS Pensacola, Florida. It was here that they progressed to the swept-wing Grumman [[F9F-8 Cougar]].

The team reorganized the next year and reported to NAS Corpus Christi, Texas, where they began flying the newer and faster version of the Panther, the F9F-5. The Blue Angels remained in Corpus Christi until the winter of 1954 when they relocated to their present home base at NAS Pensacola, Florida. It was here that they progressed to the swept-wing Grumman [[F9F-8 Cougar]].

The ensuing 20 years saw the Blue Angels transition to two more aircraft, the Grumman [[F11F-1 Tiger]] (1957) and the [[McDonnell Douglas]] [[F-4J Phantom II]] (1969).

The ensuing 20 years saw the Blue Angels transition to two more aircraft, the Grumman [[F11F-1 Tiger]] (1957) and the [[McDonnell Douglas]] [[F-4|F-4J Phantom II]] (1969).

[[Image:Blue Angels.JPG|thumb|250px|right|Blue Angels in their current aircraft, the Boeing F/A-18 Hornet]]

[[Image:Blue Angels.JPG|thumb|250px|right|Blue Angels in their current aircraft, the [[McDonnell Douglas]] F/A-18 Hornet]]

In December 1974, the Navy Flight Demonstration Team began flying the McDonnell Douglas [[A-4F Skyhawk]] II and was reorganized as the Navy Flight Demonstration Squadron. This reorganization permitted the establishment of a commanding officer vice a flight leader (Cmdr. Tony Less was the squadron’s first official commanding officer), added support officers and further redefined the squadron’s mission, emphasizing the support of recruiting efforts.

In December 1974, the Navy Flight Demonstration Team began flying the McDonnell Douglas [[A-4F Skyhawk]] II and was reorganized as the Navy Flight Demonstration Squadron. This reorganization permitted the establishment of a commanding officer vice a flight leader (Cmdr. Tony Less was the squadron’s first official commanding officer), added support officers and further redefined the squadron’s mission, emphasizing the support of recruiting efforts.

On November 8, 1986, the Blue Angels completed their 40th anniversary year during ceremonies unveiling their present aircraft, the new sleek [[Boeing]] [[F/A-18 Hornet]], the first dual-role fighter/attack aircraft now serving on the nation’s front lines of defense.

On November 8, 1986, the Blue Angels completed their 40th anniversary year during ceremonies unveiling their present aircraft, the new sleek [[F/A-18 Hornet]], the first dual-role fighter/attack aircraft now serving on the nation’s front lines of defense.

In 1992 more than one million people viewed Blue Angel’s performances during a 30-day European deployment to Sweden, Finland, Russia, Romania, Bulgaria, Italy, the United Kingdom and Spain. This was the first European deployment in 19 years.

In 1992 more than one million people viewed Blue Angel’s performances during a 30-day European deployment to Sweden, Finland, Russia, Romania, Bulgaria, Italy, the United Kingdom and Spain. This was the first European deployment in 19 years.

=="Fat Albert"==

=="Fat Albert"==

An all-Marine Corps crew of three officers and five enlisted personnel operate the [[Lockheed-Martin]] [[C-130T Hercules]], affectionately known as Fat Albert Airlines. Fat Albert joined the team in 1970 and flies more than 140,000 miles each season. It carries more than 40 maintenance and support personnel, their gear and enough spare parts and communication equipment to complete a successful air show.

An all-Marine Corps crew of three officers and five enlisted personnel operate the [[Lockheed-Martin]] [[C-130 Hercules|C-130T Hercules]], affectionately known as Fat Albert Airlines. Fat Albert joined the team in 1970 and flies more than 140,000 miles each season. It carries more than 40 maintenance and support personnel, their gear and enough spare parts and communication equipment to complete a successful air show.

Fat Albert cruises at a speed of more than 320 knots (approximately 360 miles per hour) at 27,000 feet. Four Allison turboprop engines, which produce more than 16,000 shaft-horsepower, provide Fat Albert Airlines with the power to land and depart on runways as short as 2,500 feet.

Fat Albert cruises at a speed of more than 320 knots (approximately 360 miles per hour) at 27,000 feet. Four Allison turboprop engines, which produce more than 16,000 shaft-horsepower, provide Fat Albert Airlines with the power to land and depart on runways as short as 2,500 feet.

==Links==

==Links==

[http://www.blueangels.navy.mil/index.htm Official website]

[http://www.blueangels.navy.mil/index.htm Official website]