March 29, 2024
Annapolis, US 46 F

Blue Angels to fly next week at USNA

Blue Angels 2009 (169)The Blue Angels are back in Annapolis and will perform above the Severn River, Tuesday, May 20 and Wednesday, May 21 as part of the Naval Academy’s Commissioning Week. These events are free and open to the public.

The Blue Angels are the U.S. Navy’s Flight Demonstration Squadron and fly a team of six Navy F/A-18 Hornets in a variety of high-speed, aerobatic, precision-maneuvers.

Viewing areas for the show will include Ingram Field, portions of Farragut Field and Hospital Point on the Naval Academy grounds.

Visitors may experience delays due to an increased number of visitors on the Yard. We encourage all pedestrians to leave bags at home to the extent possible in order to reduce wait times at the gates.  Please see additional information provided below if you plan to visit the Academy for the Blue Angels show.

Tuesday, May 20 the Blue Angels will perform circle and arrival maneuvers between 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. followed by a rehearsal of their flight demonstration between 2 p.m. and 4 p.m.

Wednesday, May 21, the Blue Angels performance and flight demonstration will begin at 2 p.m. with narration which can be heard from the Ingram Field viewing area. Spectators from other viewing areas can tune-in to WNAV 1430 AM to hear the broadcast of the narration.

This year, three Naval Academy graduates are part of the Blue Angels team. Cmdr. Thomas Frosch, Class of 1992, will be in the No. 1 jet and is the team’s Commanding Officer. LCDR David Tickle, Class of 2002, will be in the No. 5 jet and is the lead solo pilot.Lt. Mark Tedrow, Class of 2004, will be in the No. 6 jet and is the opposing solo pilot.  LCDR Mark DeBuse, Class of 1996, is the team’s flight surgeon.

The Blue Angels flight demonstration exhibits the choreographed refinements of Navy-trained flying skills.  The presentation includes four-plane, graceful, aerobatic maneuvers, referred to as diamond maneuvers, and the team performs maneuvers together in the well-known delta formation.

Only vehicles with Department of Defense credentials or handicapped stickers are permitted on academy grounds on May 20 and 21.  Pedestrians are invited to walk through USNA Gates 1, 3 or 8 and must show a valid, government-issued ID.  All bags are subject to search. Due to the increased number of visitors to the Academy during Commissioning Week, we encourage all visitors to leave bags at home to the extent possible.

Handicapped visitors may bring vehicles onto USNA with handicapped plates or placards, during operational hours (7 a.m.-3:30 p.m.) and will need to get a one-day pass at the Visitors Access Center at Gate 1. After 3:30 p.m. passes will be issued at the Gate.

Parking is available at the blue side of the Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium for a $5 fee. There is a free daily shuttle between the stadium and the academy; shuttle buses are not wheelchair accessible.

During the Blue Angels Flight Rehearsal May 20 and 21, the shuttle route on the grounds of the academy will be limited to stopping at Alumni Hall from 11 a.m. until 6 p.m.

TRAFFIC NOTICES

Please note the following important vehicular and marine restrictions.  All events listed are dependent upon weather.

Bridge and Water Restrictions:

The Naval Academy Police, Maryland State Police, U.S. Coast Guard and the Department of Natural Resources Police will enforce the following vehicular and marine safety zones, and boating traffic restrictions during practices and performances by the Blue Angels:

Naval Academy Bridge (Md. Rt. 450) Closures:

The Naval Academy Bridge (Md. Rt. 450) will be closed to all vehicular and pedestrian traffic at the times listed below.  Vehicles entering and leaving Annapolis should use Rowe Boulevard or other alternate routes.

TUESDAY, May 20: closed 10:45- 4 p.m. or conclusion of flight rehearsal.

WEDNESDAY, May 21: closed 1:45 p.m.- 4 p.m. or conclusion of flight demonstration. 

*** In the event of inclement weather Tuesday, May 20, the Naval Academy Bridge (Md. Rt. 450) will also close from 9:45 a.m. until 12:15 p.m., Wednesday, May 21.

Severn River:  Marine Restrictions:
At the times listed below, boat traffic and anchoring will be restricted from the

following areas on the Severn River and its tributaries. The southern boundary will be established by Naval Academy Yard Patrol craft, which will mark a line drawn from the quick flashing light at the south end of the Naval Academy seawall to Greenbury Point.  The northern boundary is marked by the U.S. Rt. 50 Severn River Bridge.  Both boundaries will be patrolled by the Coast Guard, Department of Natural Resources Police, Coast Guard Auxiliary and Annapolis Police and Fire Rescue boats. 

Anchoring Restrictions:

TUESDAY, May 20: No anchoring 10:30 a.m.- 4 p.m. or conclusion of flight rehearsal.

WEDNESDAY, May 21: No anchoring 1:30 p.m.- 4 p.m. or conclusion of flight demonstration.

In the event of foul weather, May 20, the anchoring restrictions, May 21 also will be in place from 9:30 a.m. until 12:15 p.m.

Boating Restrictions:

TUESDAY, May 20: No boating 10:30 a.m.- 4 p.m. or conclusion of flight rehearsal.

WEDNESDAY, May 21: No boating 1:30 p.m.- 4 p.m. or conclusion of flight demonstration.

In the event of foul weather on Tuesday, May 20, the Boating Restrictions, May 21, also will be in place from 9:30 a.m. until 12:15 p.m.

Mariners are urged to transit the area with caution while the Naval Academy Yard Patrol craft are anchored in position.  The portion of the Severn River defined by the boundaries below will be closed to all boating traffic during the times listed below.

Severn River:  Marine Restrictions:

During periods of restricted boating on the Severn, shoreline residents’ boats moored to a permanent dock in the affected area may remain secured to their docks. However, by order of the commander, 5th Coast Guard District, a special local regulation has been issued which closes the river to all other boats — either underway, anchored or on mooring buoys — during practices and performances by the Blue Angels.  (Please call Coast Guard Activities Baltimore at (410) 576-2693 for additional details.)

Temporary flight restrictions listed on next page.

Temporary Flight Restrictions:

An FAA waiver has been granted for the following times.  This information is for all local pilots:

“Due to high performance aerial demonstrations by the U.S. Navy Blue Angels, the area surrounding the U.S. Naval Academy (38’ 59/12 N, 076’ 28/48 W) BAL 153/13.8 NM is closed from surface to 15,000 ft. MSL out to a five nautical mile radius as follows:”

TUESDAY, May 20, 11 a.m.- 6 p.m.

WEDNESDAY, May 21, 2 p.m.- 4 p.m.

In the event of foul weather Tuesday, May 20, the TFR will be in effect on Wednesday, May 21, from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m.

Source: USNA

[do action=”schuh”/]

Previous Article

Running for Recovery (May 17, 2014)

Next Article

Annapolis maintains AA+ bond rating

You might be interested in …