Every year in October, San Francisco Fleet Week honors the contributions of the people of the United States Armed Forces while advancing cooperation and knowledge among civilian- and military-based Humanitarian Assistance personnel.

While last year’s Fleet Week had to be virtual due to the pandemic, it’s back in-person this year!

From October 3-11, 2021, Fleet Week events include the Parade of Ships, ship tours, Navy & Marine Corps band performances, and, of course, the popular air show!

The Blue Angels, a flight demonstration squadron of the U.S. Navy, will fly their new aircraft, the F-18 Super Hornet, between the Golden Gate Bridge and Alcatraz on October 8-10, 2021.

In the meantime, it’ll be a noisy few days. No complaints, though, as it’s such a sight to behold as they practice their impressive aerial maneuvers!

Since 2015, the Blue Angels have used Oakland International Airport (OAK) as their home base during San Francisco Fleet Week. I caught a glimpse of the Blue Angels during one of their practice sessions on Monday afternoon.

The Blue Angels practicing around OAK | October 4, 2021
The Blue Angels practicing around OAK | October 4, 2021

Fun fact: Formed in 1946, the Blue Angels unit is the second oldest formal aerobatic team in the world, after the French Patrouille de France, which was formed in 1931.

Watch the Blue Angels fly by | October 4, 2021