An Evening with the Blue Angels
In partnership with the Columbus Air Show, the National Veterans Memorial and Museum (NVMM) presents “An Evening with the U.S. Navy Blue Angels.” The free event will take place on Friday, Aug. 22, 2025, on the NVMM Rooftop at 7 p.m. Museum doors will open at 5:30 p.m. allowing event ticketholders to enjoy complimentary after-hours museum admission. The Blue Angels will be the featured performers at the Columbus Air Show Aug. 22-24 at Rickenbacker International Airport.
Please Note: Space is limited and registration is required to attend.
The Blue Angels’ appearance coincides with “Navy Week,” the service’s annual outreach program that brings the Navy to regions of the U.S. without a major naval presence, fostering connections and showcasing how the Navy’s mission ensures the security, prosperity, and freedom of our nation. Columbus Navy Week runs from Aug. 18-24. U.S. Navy Rear Admiral Matthew T. Pottenburgh, a Galena, Ohio native, will speak during the program.
During the event, guests also may browse the Museum Exchange (Gift Shop) featuring items made by Veteran-owned or operated businesses.
The U.S. Navy Blue Angels are the official flight demonstration squadron of the United States Navy, established in 1946, and are the second oldest formal aerobatic team in the world. Their mission is to showcase the professionalism, teamwork, and excellence of the Navy and Marine Corps through precision flight demonstrations and community outreach, inspiring a culture of excellence and service.
The mission of the Blue Angels is to showcase the teamwork and professionalism of the United States Navy and Marine Corps through flight demonstrations and community outreach while inspiring a culture of excellence and service to country.
In 1946, the Chief of Naval Operations, Admiral Chester Nimitz, had a vision to create a flight exhibition team in order to raise the public’s interest in naval aviation and boost Navy morale. In the 1940’s, the Blue Angels thrilled audiences with their precision combat maneuvers in the F6 Hellcat, the F8 Bearcat and the F9 Panther. During the 1950’s, they refined their demonstration with aerobatic maneuvers in the F9 Cougar and F-11 Tiger and introduced the first six-plane delta formation, still flown to this day. By the end of the 1960’s, the Blue Angels were flying the F-4 Phantom, the only two seat aircraft flown by the delta formation. In 1986, they celebrated their 40th Anniversary by unveiling the Boeing F/A-18 Hornet. In 2021, the Blue Angels transitioned to their current aircraft the Boeing F/A-18 Super Hornet and celebrated their 75th anniversary.
