JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — The U.S. Navy Blue Angels are back here in Jacksonville to perform at NAS JAX Air Show for the first time since it was canceled last year.
It’s even more meaningful they’ve returned to NAS Jax, where they got their wings back in 1946.
We caught up with pilot Griffin Stangel back in April as crews were starting to prepare.
PREVIOUS COVERAGE: U.S. Navy Blue Angels return in October for the annual airshow in Jacksonville
“Seeing the air show is back 100 percent, fully up and running is absolutely thrilling,” he said then.
And now, audiences are less than 48 hours away from seeing these impressive stunts.
“Look up. You’ll be able to see us flying in the air,” said Charone Gatlin, crew chief for the Blue Angels.
“[We’re doing] everything to make sure the aircraft is gonna operate exactly how it’s supposed to,” he noted.
“We are going tip to tail on this aircraft,” echoed Brian Abe, maintenance officer for the Blue Angels.
“Making sure they are ready to go for the pilots.”
Starting Saturday, you can get a front-row seat view of the Blue Angels and other talented pilots as they zip through the air with the utmost precision and some hard-core aerobatics.
This year, the Blue Angels are also unveiling the F/A 18 Super Hornets, which are bigger and louder than ever before!
That means they need you, the crowd, to be the same.
“I get chills. I instantly get chills. That’s the instant gratification that these jobs give you. It’s not like you’re working towards a goal that you can’t see. Just the fact that the jets are about to take off, you can hear the roar of the crowd and people are excited to see these blue and gold jets fly, it’s just that much [more] fulfilling,” Gatlin described.
“I personally feed off the energy from the crowd, everybody’s so excited,” Stangel also shared.
“This weekend is gonna be spectacular,” Abe added.
After last year’s canceled air show, this crew isn’t taking this opportunity for granted, and they’ll continue doing what they do best: aiming for the sky.
“Never set your sights low,” Gatlin emphasized. “Follow your heart. Follow your dreams.”
For more info, you can check out the NAS JAX Air Show website HERE.
Here are details from that event website:
The NAS Jax Air Show, Birthplace of the Blue Angels, will be held October 22 & 23, 2022 aboard NAS Jacksonville. This event has free admission and parking, no tickets are required to attend.
The gates open at 9 am and the show will begin at 11 am.
At the NAS Jax Air Show, you will witness thrills like never before from a variety of military and civilian demonstrations. The grand finale will be the Navy’s flight demonstration team: The Blue Angels.
While you are at the show, enjoy military and civilian aircraft displays, shop at novelty, food and beverage booths, or head to the Kids Zone for games and activities for all ages. While there will be 2 ATMs onsite, it is highly recommended that you bring cash with you.
The practice show will be held Friday, October 21 and is only open to those with base access and local school children. If you would like to attend with your school, please contact the NAS Jax Public Affairs Office to register, at nasjaxpao@navy.mil.
[SIGN UP: Action News Jax Daily Headlines Newsletter]
Click here to download the free Action News Jax news and weather apps, click here to download the Action News Jax Now app for your smart TV and click here to stream Action News Jax live.
