SeeCalifornia.com

Working in my office the other day in one of those blue fogs,  I heard a thunderous roar. On the flight path of two major airports, I am accustomed to the sound of JetBlue planes overhead, but this was so much louder! I feared we’d gone to war. The resonating sound drove several Boeing people out their doors to investigate and proclaim, “It’s an F/A-18 Hornet.”

Hmmmm–Could it be The Blue Angels?  California’s Naval Air Facility (NAF) El Centro is the wintering home of the Navy Blue Angels squadron and fleet of F/A-18 A Hornet aircraft, and it just happens that they have a Blue Angels show coming up in March. Flight demonstration exhibits and air shows take place throughout the U.S., with three such exhibitions held in California, one in March and two in October 2012 in San Francisco and Miramar (San Diego).

This weekend launches Southern California’s Blue Angel celebrations and events. Here’s the run down:

• Blue Angels 10K Fun Run at Blue Angel Park, Naval Air Facility El Centro on Feb. 25, public invited.
• 15th Annual Entertainment & Food Festival on March 9, 2o12  at NAF El Centro Hangar 6. Sample food from local Imperial Valley Restaurants, listen to live entertainment and enjoy fireworks and more. Public invited and admission is free.  Event begins at 5:30 pm.
• Pre-Air Show Party at the Sun Downer Club March 9, 2012, call (760) 339-2380 for info.
• Blue Angels El Centro Air Show at El Centro NAF March 10, 2012. See: mwrtoday.com/elcentroairshow

Skilled pilots actually fly their craft within 18 inches of each other during the Diamond 360 maneuver shown in photo. See entertainment schedule!