PENSACOLA, Fla., Oct. 29, 2024—The Blue Angels Homecoming Air Show is scheduled for Friday and Saturday.

Gates open at 8 a.m. with air show events beginning at 9:30 a.m. The event is free and open to the public.

The Naval Air Station Pensacola Blue Angels Homecoming Air Show is one of Pensacola’s largest events, attracting 150,000-180,000 spectators during this two-day show, according to an NAS news release.

The Blue Angels are the last performer of the day and are scheduled to fly around 2 p.m. This is the last Blue Angels performance of the 2024 air show season.

Spectators are encouraged to bring their own seating. Paid seating is available for purchase online.

Additionally, the National Museum of Naval Aviation will be open to air show visitors.

This event will also mark the last performance of the season for the U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds.

The Thunderbirds will join the Blue Angels to perform what’s known as a “super delta” where all 12 jets join up in a large delta formation as they cross the sky around 11:30 a.m. tomorrow. Time is subject to change.

This aerial event can be seen at Johnson, Pensacola and Oriole beaches, and downtown Pensacola, according to the release.

Lunar landing

This year’s Pensacola air show, “Celebrating One Small Step,” is saluting the 55th anniversary of the lunar landing.

On July 20, 1969, a national goal set by the late President John F. Kennedy was realized when astronauts, Navy aviator and Apollo 11 mission commander Neil A. Armstrong and Air Force Col. Edwin “Buzz” Aldrin, successfully landed on the Moon.

Armstrong became the first man to take that historical first step on the Moon’s surface.

The United States is planning on returning to the moon onboard the Orion Artemis II spacecraft. This crew will include two naval aviators, Capt. G. Reid Wiseman as mission commander and Capt. Victor J. Glover as pilot.

Military performers

Also performing at this weekend’s air show will be the Air Force’s F-35A Lightning demonstration team. The F-35 is the Air Force’s largest fifth-generation fighter. They are based throughout the United States, including Eglin and Tyndall Air Force bases in Florida.

Joining the F-35A will be the Navy’s F-35C demonstration team. The C-model was designed and built explicitly for aircraft carrier operations.

The U.S. Special Operations Command Para-Commandos aerial parachute demonstration team joins the lineup. The jump team is composed of active duty special operators such as Army Special Forces, Army Rangers, Navy SEALs, Air Force combat controllers and Marine Raiders.

Civilian air show acts round out the event.

In addition to performers, a number of Navy aircraft will be on display.

Access

All visitors to NAS Pensacola must present a valid/current photo identification issued by the United States government or a state government as part of the screening process.

This excludes minors under the age of 18, if accompanied by an adult with valid identification.

Foreign national visitors must provide valid photo identification, such as a passport, issued by their country of origin. Foreign national visitors are advised to expect an additional screening process and to plan accordingly. 

Navy security personnel reserve the right to deny access to any person on a case-by-case basis without explanation.

Civilian lineup

• Adams Baker Airshows
• Jarrod Linderman, RAD Aerosports
• Tanner Matheny, Manney Airshows LLC
• Redline Air Shows
• Ghostwriters Air Show
• Retired Air Force Lt. Col. Rusty “Crash” Miller
• Skip Steward Airshows
• Rob Holland Aerosports
• Jeff Shetterly-Radial Rumble
• Kyle Fowler-Go EZ Aerobatics
• The Hot Streak Jet Truck
• Air show announcer Rob Reider