The Blue Angels headline at the 2010 Joint Service Open House and Air Show at Andrews Air Force Base outside of Washington, D.C.By Bree Tracey (MNS)
The Blue Angels are a flight demonstration team with the U.S. Navy. Six F-18 Hornets and a C-130T Hercules, also called “Fat Albert”, performed at this year’s Joint Service Open House and Air Show at Andrews Air Force Base outside Washington, D.C.
Since their creation in 1946, The Blue Angels act as a recruitment tool for the U.S. Navy. Commander Greg McWherter, the flight officer of the Blue Angels, said performing in air shows across the country also gives tax payers an opportunity see what the planes are capable of, especially in tough economic times.
“I think there are some people out there who think, ‘how can you justify a demonstration squadron in these fiscal times,’” said McWherter. “I think it’s a valid question, but by and large most people think, ‘Wow, I had no idea our military could do this.’”
McWherter said The Blue Angels perform in about 70 different shows a year. During their flight demonstration, the jets will fly as close as 18 inches away from each other. Their next performance will be at Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point in North Caroline on May 22-23.