Pensacola Beach, Fla. — (OBA) —   The U.S. Navy Blue Angels are back over Pensacola Beach this week for the annual Pensacola Beach Air Show, hosted by the Santa Rosa Island Authority. The event draws spectators from across the Gulf Coast and beyond each summer. This year's show holds added significance, marking the Blue Angels' 80th anniversary and America's 250th birthday. The team is stationed at Forrest Sherman Field at Naval Air Station Pensacola.

The week's schedule runs from Wednesday, July 15, through Saturday, July 18, 2026. It kicked off Wednesday morning with "Breakfast with the Blues," during which the Blue Angels flew over the beach at approximately 7:30 a.m. to mark show coordinates and center points. Thursday's full practice show begins at 2 p.m. and features only the Blue Angels — no civilian acts.

Friday, July 17, is the dress rehearsal. Civilian aerobatic performances begin at approximately 10:46 a.m., and the Blue Angels take to the skies at 2 p.m. Saturday's official air show follows the same schedule, with the Blue Angels closing out both days from 2 to 2:45 p.m. in their F/A-18 Super Hornets.

This year's expanded Friday and Saturday lineup is larger than in previous years, according to the Santa Rosa Island Authority. "This year's air show is shaping up to be one of the most memorable we've ever hosted," said SRIA Director of Administration Robbie Schrock. Spectators will see more aircraft and performers, along with earlier start times than in past shows.

The performer list features a wide range of acts. Frank Kimmel will fly a rare 1949 F4U-5 Corsair — one of fewer than 24 airworthy examples left in the world. The 187th Fighter Wing from Dannelly Field in Montgomery will demonstrate the F-35A Lightning II. Carol Pilon of Third Strike Wingwalking will perform atop a vintage Stearman biplane.

The Red Bull Air Force will open the show with a flag jump to the National Anthem, featuring helicopter aerobatics and precision skydiving. On Friday only, the 28th Bomb Squadron will fly two B-1B Lancers over the beach. Saturday features a Veterans Flight honoring 101-year-old Korean War Medal of Honor recipient Capt. Royce Williams and all World War II and Korean War veterans.

Spectators should expect Gulf water clearances during the show. Lifeguards and public safety personnel will clear the water at 10:35 a.m. and again at 1:50 p.m., ahead of the Blue Angels' performance. Each day, a 20-minute water break runs from 1:30 to 1:50 p.m.

Drones and kites are strictly prohibited during the air show. Anyone caught flying a drone in restricted airspace could face arrest and felony charges. Any drone detected within five miles of the restricted flight zone will immediately halt the show.

When the show wraps up on Saturday, the SRIA asks attendees to clean up after themselves. "Please Leave Only Your Footprints Behind," the authority said, urging visitors to take everything they brought and to help preserve the island's natural environment.