Date: May 23, 2007
Story by: Jim Deveney
Photography by: Jim Deveney

Every year anticipation grows at the United States Naval Academy for two reasons, first being the graduation of Midshipmen, and the second is the United States Navy Blue Angels are coming to town. The USNA was founded in 1845 by the Secretary of the Navy, George Bancroft. There have been many notable people that have been USNA graduates, including former president Jimmy Carter who graduated from the Academy in 1947.

Roaring into Annapolis, the Blue Angels awakened the sleepy Maryland capitol. Using the Severn River as their show line, there isn’t any place that is more beautiful to watch the Blue Angels work their magic in the skies. The Blues use a barge as show center, and a bus on top of the Route 450 bridge to help align their maneuvers up with the barge. The Route 450 bridge is closed during the Blue Angels Circle and Arrival maneuvers and show. With trees and homes on one side of the Severn River and the Academy on the other side, the sound just seems to be louder at the USNA than anywhere else, making their show even more enjoyable.

This year, the Blue Angels and their spectators were treated to near perfect conditions with crystal clear blue skies over Maryland’s state capitol. The Blues flew a near perfect performance, once again displaying the precision and dedication that it takes to be a Naval aviator. Congratulations to our leaders of tomorrow, the United States Naval Academy Class of 2007.

Photo captions left to right: (1) Blues over the Academy. (2) Fat Albert over the US Naval Academy. (3) Blue Angel #6, LCdr Craig Olson flies overhead.