U.S. Navy Blue Angels talk about coming to Yuma
Madeline Murray
YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – Marine Corps Air Station (MCAS) Yuma announced Tuesday the U.S. Navy Blue Angels are coming to Yuma after nearly 40 years.
In the announcement, the Blue Angels will participate in the 60th Annual Yuma Airshow, happening at MCAS Yuma Saturday at 9 a.m., with the show starting at 10:30 a.m.
During the airshow, MCAS Yuma says they will be performing high-speed formations and precision maneuvers over the base.
The Blue Angels have been in El Centro for winter training since January, where they execute two to three flights per day.
“It’s a pretty rigorous schedule. We have to stay on top of our nutrition, hydration and overall health, but it definitely does a lot to get us prepared for the shows,” said Lt. Ronny Hafeza with Blue Angel 7.
In El Centro alone, they have 120 flight takeoffs and landings, just to prepare for their first flight demonstrations.
However, now that the NAF El Centro Airshow has been canceled, they will be able to perform at the Yuma Airshow.
“We were just very grateful and fortunate that Yuma asked us to come perform. We’re fortunate and very grateful that it worked out with our schedule,” said Cmdr. Lily Montana with Blue Angel 8.
The Blue Angels are excited to be here performing in Yuma and tell me there is a lot for the Yuma community to look forward to.
This will be what is considered a remote show site, which is unique, normally when we’re flying over near field, we’ll operate out of that air field, and so this instance we’re going to be flying from el centro overhead,” says Commander Montana.
The Blue Angels perform in tight formations, sometimes even 18 inches apart, using their sense to operate the aircraft.
“Definetly visual, we don’t rely on the instruments to tell is where were at in time and space, however the pilots are so well in tuned with their aircrafts, the stick sensations, the feel of the aircraft, how each aircraft influencing one another,” says Lt. Hafeza.
The U. S. Navy Blue Angels are performing at the 60th anniversary of the Yuma airshow after nearly 40 years.The Yuma airshow is happening this Saturday, March 14th, here at Marine Corps Air Station Yuma.
Gates open at nine am and the show starts at 10:30 am.
Admission is free.