The Blue Angels

The Blue Angels, formally named the U.S. Navy Flight Demonstration Squadron, is a United States Navy flight demonstration squadron. Formed in 1946, the unit is the second oldest formal aerobatic team in the world, following the Patrouille de France, which formed in 1931. The team has six Navy and one Marine Corps pilots. They fly Boeing F/A-18E/F Super Hornet and the Lockheed Martin C-130J Super Hercules. Blue Angels typically perform in 60 or more shows annually at 32 locations throughout the United States and two shows in Canada. The "Blues" still employ many of the same practices and techniques used in the inaugural 1946 season. An estimated 11 million spectators view the squadron during air shows from March through November each year. The Blue Angels visit more than 50,000 people in schools, hospitals, and community functions at air show cities. Since 1946, the Blue Angels have flown for more than 505 million spectators. In 2011, the Blue Angels received $37 million from the annual Department of Defense budget.