Blue Angels Photos: Jets Fly Over Annapolis For Naval Academy Air Show

ANNAPOLIS, MD — Thousands of spectators packed into Annapolis this week to catch a glimpse of the Blue Angels.

The elite fighter jets are in town for the Naval Academy's Commissioning Week. The planes flew a practice run on Tuesday and a full air show on Wednesday.

Onlookers were impressed with the tight formations, barrel roles and upside-down passes. Other maneuvers included vertical climbs and nosedives.

The Blue Angels run to both extremes. They fly as fast as 700 mph and as slow as 120 mph during the demonstration. They can reach altitudes as high as 15,000 feet or as low as 50 feet. The jets sometimes are only 18 inches apart.

One of the most popular viewing spots was Hospital Point at the Naval Academy. This open field sits at the intersection of College Creek and the Severn River, right where most of the crossovers happened. Visitors also lined the bulkheads and balconies of the Academy's campus, better known as the Yard.

Jodi Wirebach and Tony Wirebach, parents of a graduating midshipman, were on hand for the Wednesday air show. Their son will join the Marine Corps after Friday's commissioning ceremony.

The Wirebachs were impressed with their first Blue Angels experience.

"It's just amazing what they can do with a big hunk of steel in the sky like that," Tony Wirebach told Patch. "The machines are so agile."

The show also left the parents reflecting on their son's time at the Academy.

"It was kind of like the culmination of his four years," Jodi Wirebach said. "We've been looking forward to his graduation."

Steve Ruben, an amateur photographer from Brookeville, was in the audience Tuesday.

Ruben loves the power and precision of the Boeing F/A-18 Super Hornets. His favorite maneuver is the sneak pass. That's when most of the Blue Angels distract the crowd before the soloist zooms over their heads just under the speed of sound.

"My dad was in the Air Force, so I've always followed military stuff," Ruben said. "I used to have model planes hanging from my ceiling when I was growing up, so I think that kind of says it all."

Ruben has seen the Blue Angels about a dozen times, but he thinks Annapolis is one of the best places to watch them. The Severn River offers clear photos and panoramic sightlines, he said.

Rosemary Brown and Randy Brown drove up from Chesterfield, Virginia just to see the Blue Angels.

Air shows have become a tradition for the married couple of 48 years. They've seen about 200 air shows together. This week, they watched the Blue Angels on Tuesday and Wednesday.

"I started going in 1969 in Norfolk, Virginia, and I've been going ever since," Randy Brown said. "I love all of them. I watch all of the planes fly, but the Blues are special."

Rosemary Brown has seen the Blue Angels so many times that she knows most of their maneuvers. Now, she finds just as much joy in watching the first-timers react to the air show.

"I used to enjoy watching the show more, but since I've seen so many, I love watching the people and the young children," Rosemary Brown said. "It's such fun to see people excited."

If you missed the Blue Angels, you may still be able to watch their graduation flyover from a high point in the city. That quick pass is scheduled for Friday at 10:04 a.m. over Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium, which will only be open to commencement attendees.

Some of our favorite Blue Angels shots are shown below. They are all from Tuesday's rehearsal unless otherwise stated.

Where is your favorite spot to watch the air show? Tell us in the comments!