The Blue Angels Team
A total of 16 officers voluntarily serve with the Blue Angels. Each year the team typically selects three tactical (fighter or fighter/attack) jet pilots, two support officers and one Marine Corps C-130 pilot to relieve departing members. The Chief of Naval Air Training selects the "Boss," the Blue Angels Commanding Officer. Boss must have at least 3,000 tactical jet flight-hours and have commanded a tactical jet squadron. The Commanding Officer flies the Number 1 jet. The Chief of Naval Air Training also selects the "XO," the Blue Angels Executive Officer. XO is a Naval Flight Officer (NFO) or Naval Aviator with at least 1,750 flight-hours. Officers typically serve two years with the team. Blue Angels officers return to the fleet after their tours of duty.
The Hangar - U.S. Air Force
The Hangar was created to showcase the expertise of Air Force Maintainers who work every day in hangars and on the flight line to keep aircraft flying. This tour appeals to the tech-tinkerer, mechanically inclined individual and utilizes a range of technology, including LeapMotion and virtual reality to inform and entertain.
- A full-size F-16 Fighting Falcon for visitors to take photographs
- Visitors repair a CV-22 hydraulic leak with the help of LeapMotion technology
- Using VR and a replicated KC-135 boom pod structure, visitors perform an in-flight refueling mission
- C-130 Hercules tire change challenge that tests speed and determination