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-Editorial
The Imperial Valley skies are about to come alive with the thunderous roar of jet engines as the Blue Angels arrived on Jan. 4 for their annual winter training. Their arrival is a precursor to the highly anticipated March 9 Air Show at Naval Air Facility El Centro.
By breaking the sound barrier and ending a long travel from Florida, the Blue Angels were welcome to their second home.
The Blue Angels have chosen NAF El Centro as their training ground for decades. This remote naval air facility provides the perfect location for the squadron to fine-tune their skills and push the boundaries of aviation excellence. The mission of the Blue Angels 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.
This training period allows the pilots to familiarize themselves with the unique characteristics of the desert environment, including its winds, temperature variations, and high-altitude conditions.
This training also provides an opportunity for the Blue Angels to connect with the local community as the squadron will be involved in several community events and visit local schools. The Blue Angels have become part of Imperial Valley’s culture.
The mission of NAF El Centro is to support the combat training and readiness of the warfighter. This includes air operations support to operational fleet and training squadrons as well as squadrons from other services (Marine Corps, Army, and Air Force) and international military partners.
As the training progresses, residents will have the chance to witness the Blue Angels in action during their practice sessions during the next couple of weeks.
The culmination of the Blue Angels’ training will be the March Air Show, where the squadron will showcase their incredible skills to an audience that stretches far beyond the borders of NAF El Centro. This highly anticipated event attracts aviation enthusiasts, families, and individuals from all walks of life, who gather to witness the awe-inspiring performances delivered by the Blue Angels.
The mission of the Blue Angels 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.
For more information about the Blue Angels, including the 2024 and 2025 air show schedules, visit www.blueangels.navy.mil.
