JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – The Blue Angels are gearing up for an amazing air show this weekend at Naval Air Station Jacksonville (NAS Jacksonville).
The NAS Jax Air Show, the birthplace of the Blue Angels, will take place at NAS Jax on Saturday, Oct. 19 and Sunday, Oct. 20. The gates open at 9 am and the show will begin at 11 a.m. It will be the last time the Jacksonville area will see the group for a little while, as they’re not scheduled to perform in the county next year.
This year, the Blue Angels have selected seven new officers to join the team for the 2024 air show. Each year, there is a new selection for the Blue Angels Team at their home base in Pensacola.
A02 Marcos Ivey gets to be a part of keeping that legacy, that he watched growing up, alive.
“Well, my dad would take me to the air shows here in Jacksonville since I was a little kid,” Ivey said. “And it’s always been a dream to be a blue angel and part of the team.”
🔒River City Guide: Blue Angels, Northeast Florida Fair among incredible events taking place this weekend (Oct. 18-20)
The Blue Angels team consists of over 100 active-duty Sailors and Marines. Lt. Commander Natalia Luchetti is one of them. She said she’s happy to be a part of this, especially as a woman who helps keep those who fly safely since she’s an assistant maintenance officer.
“It is truly and incredibly humbling I’ve been in the Navy 23 years and this is 1000 percent the highlight of my career just being able to represent every sailor and marine that I have served with during my time in the military,” Luchetti said.
If you want to catch them, this weekend is the time. They will not be coming back to Jacksonville in 2025.
“If you’ve never seen the Blue Angels flight demonstration or an air show in general, certainly the Blue Angels, I would tell people it’s very difficult to describe and I would encourage people to come out and see what this team does and watch the teamwork and professionalism on display,” Capt. Alex Armatas said.
The NAS Jax Airshow will consist of a variety of military and civilian demonstrations, ending with a grand finale of the Navy’s flight demonstration team, The Blue Angels, which will begin at 2:30 p.m.
Alongside the airshow, there will be fun activities to enjoy, such as military and civilian aircraft displays, a novelty shop, food, and a KidsZone for all ages. An ATM will be onsite, and it is recommended that you bring cash with you.
Gates open at 9 a.m., and the show will begin at 11 a.m. The event is open and free to the public; no tickets are required. Spectators over 18 must show photo ID at the gate. You may also be able to see the Blue Angels as they practice for the weekend on Friday, Oct. 18. Be sure to look up and listen!
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