The U.S. Navy Blue Angels and U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds have just completed conducting joint training at NAS El Centro, CA.
El Centro is where the Blues conduct their 2-month winter training every year, before kicking off a busy air show season. The team has 64 flight demonstrations scheduled at 32 locations this year. Check out their schedules this year here.
5th consecutive year of joint training
It’s the 5th consecutive year that both teams have come together for annual joint training. Even though they are different branches of the military, each team shares a similar mission.
“Engaging in collaborative training with the Thunderbirds allows us to exchange knowledge and skills,” says Blue Angels commanding officer and flight lead Cdr Alex Armatas.
“Our Air Force counterparts truly grasp the level of commitment and effort required to execute flight demonstrations nationwide.”
During joint training the team’s do not put on any public performances. That however does not stop hundreds of avgeeks from descending on the perimeter of El Centro, aiming to capture photos and videos of both teams together. Each team conducts training flights separately and together, with similar profiles to the air show routine each will fly during the season. The crews mix with each other to learn from each other.
Busy air show season ahead
Both teams are now about finished with their training seasons, and will be kicking off their first air shows later this month. The Blues are in their 78th year, and scheduled to perform their first show at El Centro on March 9.
The Thunderbirds are now in their 71st year. They are scheduled to kickoff their first air show of 2024 on March 23-24 at Luke Air Force Base, Arizona.
