Blue Angels 2023 practice schedule in Pensacola announced

Pensacola News Journal
·4 min read

Keep your eyes on the skies, because the Blue Angels are back in town.

The U.S. Navy Flight Demonstration Squadron, the Blue Angels, announced its 2023 practice schedule on Monday, with the first of 40 scheduled shows slated for March 28 and 29.

"After a long and successful winter training and two air shows in California, your U.S. Navy Blue Angels are headed home!" a Facebook post from the Blue Angels said. "Keep an eye on the sky around 2 PM CST so you can watch as we buzz the beach and return to our beloved hometown of Pensacola, FL."

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The National Naval Aviation Museum will open the flight line behind the museum to view Blue Angels practice flight demonstrations. On practice dates, gates open at 9:30 a.m. and the Blues are scheduled to take to the skies at 10:30 a.m.

The museum and these practices are open to Department of Defense ID cardholders and their guests who can access NAS Pensacola.

The Blue Angels 2023 practice schedule

  • March - 28, 29

  • April - 4, 5*, 11,12*, 18, 19*, 25, 26*

  • May - 2, 3*, 9, 10*, 16, 17*, 31*

  • June - 6,7*, 13, 14*, 20, 21, 27, 28*

  • July - 11, 12, 25, 26*

  • August - 1, 16*, 22, 23*, 29

  • September - 6*, 12, 19

  • October - 18*, 24, 25*

*Indicates Blue Angels autograph sessions in the museum.

Where can I watch Blue Angels practice off of NAS Pensacola base?

Fort Pickens on Gulf Islands National Seashore

Located across Pensacola Bay from Naval Air Station Pensacola on the tip of Santa Rosa Island, many spots around the historic fort offer great views of the Blue Angels practices. The fort can be reached by car from Pensacola Beach.

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Pensacola Bay

Most Pensacola-area charter boat companies offer trips centered around the Blue Angels practices.

Navy Point

A beach-side neighborhood park at the corner of Gibbs and Baublits is a popular location for many folks on the west side of Pensacola to watch the show. Navy Point is located north of Bayou Grande across from Naval Air Station Pensacola and residents routinely get great views of practices.

Walmart parking lot at Blue Angel Parkway

A Walmart parking lot might not sound like the ideal place to hang out, but as the base continues its indefinite closure to the public, it is an optimal spot to see the jets fly. The Walmart Supercenter at 2951 S. Blue Angel Parkway offers lots of space, and you can even take care of your grocery shopping when the show ends.

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Blue Angels 2023 air show schedule

Here is the complete schedule for the 2023 season:

March 11: Naval Air Facility El Centro, California

March 18 to 19: Naval Air Station Point Mugu, California

March 25 to 26: Barksdale Air Force Base, Louisiana

April 1 to 2: Lakeland, Florida

April 15 to 16: Naval Air Station Key West, Florida

April 22 to 23: Marine Corps Air Station Beaufort, South Carolina

April 29 to 30: Fort Lauderdale, Florida

May 6 to 7: Corpus Christi, Texas

May 13 to 14: Scott Air Force Bse, Illinois

May 20 to 21: Seymour Johnson Air Force Base, North Carolina

May 24 and 26: U.S. Naval Academy, Annapolis, Maryland

May 27 to 28: Long Pond, Pennsylvania

June 10 to 11: Smyrna, Tennessee

June 17 to 18: Columbus, Ohio

June 24 to 25: North Kingstown, Rhode Island

July 1 to 2: Oklahoma City, Oklahoma

July 8: Pensacola Beach, Florida

July 15 to 16: Duluth, Minnesota

July 22 to 23: Milwaukee, Wisconsin

Aug. 5 to 6: Seattle, Washington

Aug. 12 to 13: Billings, Montana

Aug. 19 to 20: New Century, Kansas

Aug. 26 to 27: Lincoln, Nebraska

Sept. 2 to 4: Toronto, Ontario, Canada

Sept. 16 to 17: Naval Air Station Oceana, Virginia

Sept. 23 to 24: Marine Corps Air Station Miramar, California

Sept. 30 to Oct. 1: McMinnville, Oregon

Oct. 7 to 8: San Francisco, California

Oct. 14 to 15: Grand Junction, Colorado

Oct. 21 to 22: Jacksonville Beach, Florida

Oct. 28 to 29: Greenfield, Indiana

Nov. 3 to 4: Naval Air Station Pensacola, Florida

This article originally appeared on Pensacola News Journal: Blue Angels 2023 practice schedule in Pensacola and where to watch