Sunday evening, six jets flying in formation soared through the sky in the East Bay. These U.S. Navy Blue Angels jets traveled from Colorado for San Francisco’s Fleet Week.
Each Fleet Week, the Blue Angels’ choreographed flight during the air show is a highlight for many attendees. This year, the Blue Angels are even more highly anticipated because they could not participate in Fleet Week last year due to the government shutdown.
A small crowd of a couple dozen people lined up outside the fence Sunday to catch a glimpse of the Blue Angels arriving at the East Bay hangar.
“It feels really electric as they fly over your head,” said Josh Vo of San Francisco, who explained this was his first time seeing the Blue Angels land.
“It was one of the best experiences ever, I love feeling the rush of the adrenaline, everything going over you,” said Jace Towyenis of Concord.
The Blue Angels will be part of the choreographed air show over the bay happening on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday in the afternoon.
Mary Breen, the director of marketing for the Air Show Network, explained that while the Blue Angels pilots fly in many different locations throughout the year, they are especially fond of the views they get in San Francisco.
“Every year, no matter what city we’re in, they always make a point to tell us: we can’t wait for October, we can’t wait to come to San Francisco Fleet Week, and just watching them get out of the jets just now, you can see they’re very excited to be back in the bay,” Breen said.
She added said that prime viewing of the Air Show will be at Marina Green and along the nearby waterfront.
Fleet Week will also feature other activities like U.S. Navy ships available for public tours, performances by military bands around San Francisco, and the parade of ships along the San Francisco waterfront on Friday.
Supervisor Danny Sauter, whose district includes North Beach and Pier 39, explained that with the influx of visitors during Fleet Week, it is one of the busiest times of year for local businesses.
“This is something people plan for all year, they’ll bring on more staff just for the week, they’ll be ready,” Sauter explained.
“It’s such a fun weekend, you walk outside, and you’re immediately part of a big, big crowd,” Sauter noted, adding that he recommends taking public transportation and planning for additional traffic during Fleet Week.
