![U.S. Navy Blue Angels in formation flight [FLYING Archive]](https://flyingmag1.b-cdn.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2013/12/httpswww.flyingmag.comsitesflyingmag.comfilesimport2013sitesallfiles_images201312top2013-blueangels.jpg?width=1000&height=603)
The Blue Angels, the U.S. Navy’s aerial demonstration team, will not be performing at San Francisco Fleet Week from October 5-13 due to the government shutdown. For decades the Blue Angels have been a fan favorite at the event.
Since 1981 San Francisco Fleet Week has been a showcase of America’s maritime forces with public concerts, ship tours, STEM activities, public safety demonstrations, and an airshow over the bay between the Golden Gate Bridge and Alcatraz Island. The annual celebration, which opened on October 5 and runs through Monday, attracts millions from around the world.
The event is produced and managed by the San Francisco Fleet Week Association, a nonprofit organization dedicated to honoring those who serve and strengthening the bond between military and civilian communities through public events, celebrations, and education. This year’s show represents the official West Coast celebration of the U.S. Navy’s 250th anniversary.
Fleet Week is not the only cancellation for the Blue Angels.
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Last week the Navy flyers had to cancel an appearance at the California International Airshow in Salinas. They were scheduled to fly October 4-5. The show’s Facebook page carried this message: “Dear Salinas Airshow fans, the 44th annual California International Airshow will go on this weekend. Unfortunately, due to the government shutdown, the U.S. military will not be allowed to participate….”
In the meantime, Fleet Week organizers are happy to have the Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) military precision flying team, the Canadian Snowbirds, topping the bill. The Snowbirds fly bright red CT-114 Tutor jets. The aircraft served as the primary jet trainer for the RCAF until 2000. The team, known for its precision low-level aerobatic flying, has performed at Fleet Week in the past.
Civilian acts round out the show. These include the Patriots Jet Team, Ace Maker T-33, Sukhoi West Demo Team of Randy Howell and Cory Lovell, and the P-51 Mustangs of JackAces Formation Acrobatic Team.
The biggest civilian performer is a United Airlines 777. Fleet Week organizers note that this is the only airshow to feature an airliner flying a “fully choreographed act.”
The airshow is presented by United Airlines and produced by the Air Show Network. There will be airshow performances through Sunday.
The Blue Angels still have several more performances on their schedule for 2025, including Wings Over North Georgia in Rome on October 18-19; Sea and Sky Air Show in Jacksonville Beach, Florida on October 25-26; Florida International Airshow in Punta Gorda on November 1-2; and the Blue Angels Homecoming Air Show at NAS Pensacola, Florida, on November 7-8.
