Blue Angels Arrive at NAF El Centro for 2025 Winter Training Season
EL CENTRO — The Blue Angels, the U.S. Navy’s elite flight demonstration squadron, arrived at Naval Air Facility (NAF) El Centro on Monday, Jan. 6, to begin their annual 10-week winter training. For Imperial Valley residents, this marks the start of a beloved tradition, as the iconic blue-and-gold jets fill the skies in preparation for the 2025 airshow season.
The training season will culminate with the NAF El Centro Airshow on Saturday, March 15. Known as the Blue Angels’ season opener, the event is expected to draw thousands of spectators eager to witness their signature high-speed formations and gravity-defying aerobatics.
Kristopher Haugh, public affairs officer for NAF El Centro, shared his enthusiasm during a Facebook livestream of the team’s arrival. “We’re very excited to showcase the Blue Angels. They represent the best of the United States Navy and exemplify the aeronautical skills that all of our pilots have,” Haugh said.
Adding to the excitement, NAF El Centro Operations Officer Commander Jon Sitorius, whose callsign is “Biggie,” chimed in, saying, “The Blue Angels are arriving. What does that mean? Air show time.”
The Blue Angels first began using NAF El Centro as their winter training base in December 1954, drawn by the area’s clear skies and consistent weather. This unique partnership has made the Imperial Valley a key component of the team’s success, offering ideal conditions for the precision practice required to perform their challenging routines.
During their time in El Centro, the squadron’s flights become a regular spectacle for residents and aviation enthusiasts, who gather at vantage points around the base to catch glimpses of their practices. For the local community, the Blue Angels’ presence has become a hallmark of the winter season.
As the livestream concluded, Haugh remarked, “The team is now together. After a day of settling in, they will take to the skies and start their 2025 winter training here at NAF El Centro, the Pearl of the Desert.”
The NAF El Centro Airshow on March 15 will begin with gates opening at 8 a.m. Flying demonstrations will start at noon, with the Blue Angels taking center stage at 2 p.m. Admission and parking are free, though upgraded ticket options are available.
For the next ten weeks, the Blue Angels’ dazzling flights will continue to captivate the Imperial Valley, setting the stage for what promises to be an unforgettable airshow season.