Timothy Paul Smith Photography
Blue Angels #7 -cover Fade 1.jpg

2019 United States Navy Blue Angels

This page includes a collection of aviation images in stunning, high-resolution featuring the Military Flight demonstration squadron, The United States Navy the Blue Angels.


The mission of the United States Navy Flight Demonstration Squadron is "to showcase the pride and professionalism of the United States Navy and Marine Corps by inspiring a culture of excellence and service to the country through flight demonstrations and community outreach."

  The world-famous Blue Angels are the United States Navy’s flight demonstration squadron was established in 1946, making it the second oldest formal aerobatic team in the world. The Blue Angels' McDonnell Douglas F/A-18 Hornets are currently flown by five Navy demonstration Aviators and one Marine Corps demonstration pilot. In order for the blues mission to be successful, the team requires logistical support. This role is fulfilled by a very large member of the team. A C-130 Hercules, affectionately known as “Fat Albert'' is flown and managed by an all Marine Corps crew. She is beloved by both young and old as a fixture of The Blues.

  The Blue Angels perform aerial displays annually in at least 60 shows at 30 locations throughout the United States and one location in Canada. The "Blues" still employ many of the same practices and techniques used in the inaugural 1946 season. An estimated 11 million spectators view the squadron during air shows from March through November each year. Members of the Blue Angels team also visit more than 50,000 people in schools, hospitals, and community functions at air show sites. Since 1946, the Blue Angels have flown for more than 505 million spectators.

Without a doubt, capturing the Blue Angels is one of the most challenging but rewarding types of photography one can undertake. The difference between capturing the moment your after or missing it can happen in the blink of an eye. My goal has always been to capture the many almost magical moments when everything is lined up to perfection. The opportunity to capture these exceptional aviators paired with high-performance military aircraft 18 inches apart in a series of diamond and delta formations as they demonstrate rolls, climbs, and crossing passes is second to none. The atmosphere the Blues create by such aerial precision fills the air with patriotism, pride, and confidence in the United States Military.  All of it while audience members gasp with each and every performance.


2019 Team Members:

Blue Angel #1 “Boss” CDR Eric C. Doyle 

Blue Angel #2 Right-Wing Lt. James Haley

Blue Angel #3 Left-Wing Lt. James Cox 

Blue Angel #4 Slot Maj. Jeff Mullins

Blue Angel #5 Lead Solo LCDR Brandon Hempler  

Blue Angel #6 Opposing Solo Lt. Andre Webb 


The United States Navy Blue Angels Teams


2019 Pensacola Beach Airshow

Pensacola Beach, Florida

July 11, 2019: To conclude the Red, White, and Blue’s Beach week airshow, from the east, the Delta approaches center-point, while a Tropic storm churns the waters of the Gulf of Mexico. 

With high gust winds, all six aircraft struggle to stay in perfect formation, proving once again why they are known to be among the best in the World. 

The Team performs the last pass of the show.

The Blue Angel Delta Flat Pass.


Purchase a print

July 11, 2019: Blue Angels Opposing Solo #6 in a hard turn to re-join with the Delta formation as Vapor sweeps along the top of the flexed wings as well as perfectly formed cylindrical wingtip vortices.
#AndreWebb

Purchase a print

July 11, 2019: Blue Angels Opposing Solo #6 giving the Pensacola beach crowd a close up look at the bottom side of the Beautiful McDonnell Douglas F/A-18 Legacy Hornet
#AndreWebb

Purchase a print

July 11, 2019: Looking straight into The Blue Angels Delta Roll captured on Pensacola Beach from Red, White, and Blues Beach Week Airshow. All six aircraft commence a climb and roll simultaneously, a challenging maneuver while maintaining positions in the formation.

Purchase a print

July 11, 2019: The Blue Angels Opposing Solo #6 Lights the afterburners pulls the nose up, the high angle of attack causes powerful vortices to form at the leading edge extensions.

Purchase a print

July 11, 2019: The Blue Angels Diamond Burner 270 maneuver is always a crowd favorite. In this image, the heat vapor or jelly is visible with the deep orange glow of the afterburners.

Purchase a print

July 11, 2019: The Blue Angels Opposing Solo #6 from behind the crowd rockets up after the Solo Sneak pass. With the Gulf of Mexico full of moist, damp air, vapor was in full effect on Pensacola beach.

Purchase a print

July 11, 2019: The Blue Angels Delta

Smoke on! Up we go, a little more pull!!

Purchase a print

July 11, 2019: The Blue Angel Lead Solo #5

Hornet Flexing into a Climb

Purchase a print

July 11, 2019: The Blue Angels Diamond

Head-On with the Burner 270

Purchase a print

July 11, 2019: The Blue Angels Lead Solo #5 and Opposing Solo #6

High Alpha Pass

Purchase a print

July 11, 2019: The Blue Angels Lead Solo #5

Shoreline, Sneak Pass

Purchase a print

The Blue Angels Diamond

18" or less, Echelon Parade Pass for Pensacola Beach.

Purchase a print

The Blue Angels Boss #1 and Left-Wing #3

Barrel Roll Break Out

Purchase a print

The Blue Angels Diamond

The Double Farvel

Purchase a print

The Blue Angels Opposing Solo #6

Vape! on The Sneak Pass

Purchase a print

The Blue Angels Lead Solo #5

Exit The Minimum Radius Turn

Purchase a print

The Blue Angels Left Wing #3

Barrel Roll Break

Purchase a print

The Blue Angels Lead Solo #5

Minimum Radius Turn Complete

Purchase a print

The Blue Angels Diamond

Inbound Echelon Parade

Purchase a print

The Blue Angels Lead Solo #5

The Minimum Radius Turn

Purchase a print

The Blue Angels Delta

Beach Finale

Purchase a print