
San Francisco Chronicle:
The Blue Angels are back in town as part of Fleet Week, and the ear-splitting, jaw-dropping maneuvers thousands of feet up are nothing short of miraculous to some observers.
But for the elite Navy flying team, which can be seen practicing today and performing Saturday and Sunday at 3 p.m., behind all the twisting and turning is plenty of discipline, training and lots of concentration.
"It's a 45-minute aerobic workout," Lt. Mike Blankenship, spokesman for the Blue Angels, said as the jets rattled windows Thursday while practicing over the San Francisco waterfront. "You're working out the whole time. It's a challenge."
The Blue Angels consist of six blue-and-gold F/A-18 Hornet jets. At the beginning of each performance, four aircraft fly in various configurations, including the famous "diamond" formation and the "echelon," where the planes are slightly offset to each other. The four jets alternate in front of the crowd with the two other jets, which scream toward each other and do other maneuvers in tandem.
The Blue Angels will be performing today and tomorrow. The best place to watch the show is Crissy Field.
I'm glad these guys are on our side!
-Tim
Saturday
11 a.m. to noon -- Parade of Ships under the Golden Gate Bridge and into the bay.
12:15 to 4 p.m. -- Air show, ending with the Blue Angels.
Throughout day -- Military and civic displays, Pier 39.
Sunset -- Fireworks show, between Piers 39 and 45..
Sunday
Noon to 5 p.m. -- Public tours of eight Navy ships, San Francisco piers.
Noon to 4 p.m. -- Air show, ending with the Blue Angels.
12:30 to 2:30 p.m. -- Italian Heritage Day parade, Fisherman's Wharf.
12:30 to 8 p.m. -- Military and civic displays, Pier 39