When it comes to choreographed spectacle, nothing beats the precision of a military demo team.
The Navy’s flying demonstration squadron, the Blue Angels, teamed up with their fellow squadrons in two separate events as they were ready to perform for the 2023 season.
The squadron’s F/A-18 jets joined their Air Force counterparts, the Thunderbirds’ F-16s, for a joint training exchange in California. A Blue Angels transport, the C-130J, affectionately known as “Fat Albert”, joined the Marine Corps’ Silent His Drill Platoon for a photo shoot in Arizona.
The Marine Corps Silent Drill Platoon performed on the runway at Marine Corps Air Station Yuma as Fat Albert made a flyover. Photo by Marine Corps Colonel Lance.Jade Venegas
The Marines performed various drill sequences while Fat Albert flew overhead. Photo by Marine Corps Colonel Lance.Pranav Ramakrishna
Yuma’s performance kicked off the platoon’s 2023 Battle Color Detachment Tour. Photo by Marine Corps Colonel Lance.Jade Venegas
About 60 miles west, members of the Blue Angels welcomed the Thunderbirds to Naval Air Station El Centro, their home for winter training. Photo by Navy Petty Officer 1st Class Bobby Baldock
The two squadrons trained together there for a week. Fat he was also in El Centro Albert. It was on the ground in Super Delta, the squadron’s famous consolidation formation. Photo by Air Force Senior Air Force Officer Dakota Carter
The Blue Angels and Thunderbirds debuted the Super Delta two years ago at El Centro. They are considered emblematic of the teamwork, discipline, and skill of U.S. soldiers around the world. Photo by Air Force Staff Sergeant.Andrew Thurber
Here’s how Super Delta works:
The Blue Angels and Thunderbirds will be co-headliners this weekend. pointmag air show .
