Living the Perdido Key lifestyle comes with many benefits: white beaches, abundant wildlife, gorgeous sunsets…and the Blue Angels. Created in 1946, the Blues are an integral part of the local landscape and represent the best of what the Gulf Coast has to offer. Originally titled the Navy Flight Exhibition Team, the Blue Angels have evolved both their name and jets, but their deep hometown support has never wavered. As you watch the seven blue and gold Boeing F/A-18 Hornets cut through the air at thrilling speeds, you’ll quickly understand why the Blue Angels continue to hold the hearts of Perdido Key residents and visitors.

Each July, the Blue Angels return home from performing throughout the U.S. and put on one of the area’s most anticipated events: the Homecoming Air Show.

Watch the Blues Practice!

Beginning in March each year, when the Blues are in town, you can see them practice Tuesday and Wednesday mornings at 11:30 a.m. (weather permitting). After practice on select Wednesdays, visitors and locals can meet the pilots, take photos with them and even get their autographs. Practices and meet-and-greets are held at the National Naval Aviation Museum, one of the world's largest air and space museums. Also at the museum, visitors can visit the Blue Angels Atrium to have their photos taken with real Blue Angels aircraft, positioned in flying formation.

Details and facts about the Blue Angels:

• Blue Angels pilots don’t wear G-suits because they can get in the way of maneuvers-rather, the pilots train themselves to contract their muscles to stop the blood from rushing from their head when performing.
• The name for the Blue Angels came from the original team in 1946 when they read about the New York City’s Blue Angel nightclub in the New Yorker Magazine.
• None of the Blue Angels pilots are paid. Blue Angels pilots volunteer for duty and the opportunity and honor to perform with U.S. Navy.
• How close is too close? Blue Angels pilots fly as close as 18 inches from each other during the Diamond 360 maneuver.
• The Blue Angels fly as fast as 700 mph (just under Mach 1) and fly at speeds of 120 mph as well.
• The Blue Angels’ gold and blue colors represent the official colors of the U.S. Navy

"The appearance of U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) visual information does not imply or constitute DoD endorsement."