At the end of World War II, , Chief of Naval Operations Adm. Chester W. Nimitz ordered the formation of a flight demonstration team to keep the public interested in naval aviation. The team was introduced as the “Blue Angels” at a show in Omaha, Nebraska, in July 1946.


Since then, an estimated 15 million spectators view the squadron during air shows each year. The highest maneuver performed in an air show is the vertical rolls performed by the Opposing Solo, up to 15,000 feet and the lowest maneuver performed in an air show is the Sneak Pass, performed by the Lead Solo at 50 feet.
The fastest speed flown during an air show is about 700 mph, and the slowest is about 120 mph. The F/A-18 can reach speeds just under Mach 2, almost twice the speed of sound or about 1,400 mph.
The basic acquisition price of a single F/A-18 Hornet is approximately $21 million. An F/A-18 weights about 24,500 pounds empty of all ordnance and aircrew.
The smoke is produced by pumping biodegradable, paraffin-based oil directly into the exhaust nozzles of the aircraft where the oil is instantly vaporized into smoke. It provides a traceable path for spectators to follow and enhances safety of flight by providing a means by which solo pilots can see each other during opposing maneuvers. It poses no hazard to the environment.