KEY WEST, Florida Keys — The U.S. Navy’s renowned Blue Angels Flight Demonstration Squadron is to showcase its members’ dynamic flying skills Saturday and Sunday, April 10-11, during the Southernmost Air Spectacular presented by Naval Air Station Key West.

Admission is free to the air show, scheduled to take place at NAS West’s Boca Chica Field, located at mile marker 8 on U.S. Highway 1 just north of Key West. Gates are to open at 9 a.m. both days, with action scheduled to continue until 5 p.m.

The legendary Blue Angels are internationally recognized for their superb formation flying. The squadron, whose winter home was NAS Key West in the 1960s, is to perform maneuvers in F/A-18 Hornet fighter aircraft beginning at 2:30 p.m. Saturday and Sunday.

Other planned air show highlights include an F-18/EF Superhornet demonstration by the Strike Fighter Squadron VFA-106 “Gladiators,” an F-5N Tiger Diamond flyby by the Fighter Composite Squadron VFC-111 “Sundowners” and performances by the 101st Airborne “Screaming Eagles” Parachute Demonstration Team and U.S. Air Force Viper West F-16 Demonstration Team.

The show also is to feature daring civilian aerobatic exhibitions including an aerial “pirate” act, displays of military and vintage aircraft, a kids’ zone and concessions.

The Blue Angels’ history dates back to the end of World War II, when Chief of Naval Operations Adm. Chester W. Nimitz ordered the formation of a flight demonstration team to showcase naval aviation. The Blue Angels performed their first flight demonstration in June 1946, and an estimated 15 million spectators view their shows each year.

For more information about the air show, visit www.wingsoverkeywest.net.

For lodging information in Key West, call 1-800-LAST-KEY (800-527-8539) or visit the Keys Web site at www.fla-keys.com.

###