Congressman Jimmy Patronis introduces the Special Operating Authority for Rehearsal (SOAR) Act, which protects the United States Navy Blue Angels during a federal government shutdown to ensure safety and readiness. This legislation will ensure Blue Angels airshows continue in the Pensacola region despite any Democratic shutdowns.
“This is home for the Blue Angels. Federal government shutdowns hurt our economy and undermine the men and women who serve our nation,” said Congressman Patronis. “The Blue Angels represent excellence, service, and unity, and they deserve stability and leadership that puts our nation and those who serve it first.”
During past shutdowns, the Blue Angels were unable to perform their Homecoming Airshow due to a lack of funding for basic needs, such as fuel, aircraft maintenance, repairs, and required updates, which led to the cancellation of their Homecoming air show and halted essential training.
The Blue Angels are handpicked from the Navy and Marine Corps and serve on multi-year rotations. Continued training is critical to the safety transition and graduation of servicemembers. Disruptions delay training and pose a threat to the team’s safety.
2026 Blue Angels Schedule:
March
14 NAF El Centro, CA – NAF El Centro Festival of Flight
21 · 22 NAS Lemoore, CA | NAS Lemoore Air Show
28 · 29 NAS Meridian, MS | NAS Meridian Air Show
April
11 · 12 Cocoa Beach, FL Air-Space Expo
18 · 19 NAS Kingsville, TX Wings Over South Texas
25 · 26 Vidalia, GA Vidalia Onion Festival Air Show
May
2 · 3 JB Charleston, SC Charleston Air Show “Heroes of Flight”
9 · 10 MCAS Cherry Point, NC MCAS Cherry Point Air Show
16 · 17 Vero Beach, FL Vero Beach Air Show
20 USNA, Annapolis, MD U.S. Naval Academy Air Show
23 · 24 Middletown, PA Air Dot Show Harrisburg
June
6 · 7 Chesterfield, MO Spirit of St. Louis Air Show & STEM Expo
13 · 14 Dayton, OH CenterPoint Energy Dayton Air Show
20 · 21 NAS Patuxent River, MD NAS Patuxent River 75th Anniversary Air Expo
27 · 28 Fort McHenry, Baltimore, MD SAIL250 Maryland and Airshow Baltimore
July
5 · 6 Jones Beach, NY Four-Leaf Air Show
11 · 12 Brunswick, ME Great State of Maine Air Show
18 Pensacola Beach, FL Pensacola Beach Air Show
August
1 · 2 Seattle, WA Boeing Seafair Air Show
8 · 9 JB Elmendorf-Richardson, AK Arctic Thunder Air Show and Open House
15 · 16 McMinnville, OR | Oregon International Air Show
22 · 23 Billings, MT | Yellowstone International Air Show
29 · 30 Lake Charles, LA | Thunder Over Louisiana Air Show
September
5 · 7 Cleveland, OH Cleveland National Air Show
19 · 20 NAS Oceana | NAS Oceana Air Show
26 · 27 MCAS Miramar | MCAS Miramar Air Show
October
3 · 4 Grand Junction, CO | Grand Junction Air Show
10 · 11 San Francisco, CA | San Francisco Fleet Week
17 · 18 NAS Jacksonville, FL | NAS Jacksonville Air Show
24 · 25 El Paso, TX | Amigo Airsho Inc
31 Peachtree City, GA | Air Dot Show Atlanta
November
1 Peachtree City, GA Air Dot Show Atlanta
6 · 7 NAS Pensacola, FL Blue Angels Homecoming Air Show
