The Blue Angels hadn't performed in Yuma in 40 years. We were there for their comeback, and it happened to be the very first show of their entire 2026 season.
We spent a hot March Saturday watching some of the most jaw-dropping aviation in the world. The 60th Annual Yuma Air Show delivered in every way, and we're breaking down everything you need to know if you're planning to go in future years.
This episode of The Faiolas Podcast covers every detail.
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Getting There: What to Expect
One thing that surprised us is that the Yuma Air Show is completely free. No tickets, no entry fee, free parking on base. For a family, that alone makes the trip worth it.
Gates opened at 9 AM with a noon cutoff for entry. You park on base and hop a shuttle. Simple, easy, well-organized. Just know you'll go through metal detectors, and there is a list of prohibited items they will link on the website (this was the 2026 version).
Our biggest tip: go early. We arrived around 11 and missed some of the earlier performances. The show ran on schedule, so don't assume you have wiggle room. If you're making the trip, make it count and get there when the gates open.
The Blue Angels: A Historic Moment Over the Yuma Desert
The Blue Angels hadn't performed in Yuma in nearly 40 years. Not only that, but this was the very first show of their 80th tour. Yuma was the season opener! The 2026 season also coincides with America's 250th birthday, adding an extra layer of meaning to the entire performance.
Kylie put it perfectly: "We got to see an actual demonstration — not just a flyover. We got to see all the tricks and maneuvers." Lexie added, "It's a lot cooler than watching it on the side of the road. We could hear the announcer and it was so much louder and more up close. It was so cool."
That pretty much sums it up.
The Facts That Will Make Your Jaw Drop
If you don’t know much about the Blue Angels, I would recommend watching The Blue Angels on Amazon Prime. It’s a well-done documentary that follows the newest class of the Navy and Marine Corps flight crew and the veterans on the team who will take their final flights.
The Blue Angels fly the Boeing FA-18 Super Hornet. During their full demonstration, which lasts about 40 minutes, they perform approximately 20 maneuvers split between the Diamond formation (jets #1–4) and the Lead and Opposing Solos (jets #5–6).
The Diamond formation flies loops, rolls, and passes at over 400 mph, and typically less than 3 feet apart. The Solo jets during the double sneak pass reach speeds approaching 700 mph, just under the speed of sound. During opposing passes, two jets cross less than 100 feet apart at a combined closing speed of over 1,000 mph.
Here is the part that got us. The Blue Angel pilots do not use instruments to hold formation. They are flying 18 inches apart at 400 mph, relying entirely on peripheral vision and feel. Oh, and they do not wear G-suits either because the inflation would interfere with their control during tight maneuvers. We watched all of that happen right over our heads in the Yuma desert, and honestly, words do not do it justice.
Catch the Blue Angels Near You
If you missed Yuma, the Blue Angels tour all year. Here are a few stops on their 2026 schedule, but you can see their entire schedule on their website.
- March 21–22 — Luke Air Force Base, AZ (right here in Arizona!)
- April 11–12 — Cocoa Beach, FL
- July 5–6 — Jones Beach, NY
- August 1–2 — Seattle, WA
- October 10–11 — San Francisco, CA
- November 6–7 — Pensacola, FL (their home base — the season finale)
Other Performers Worth Your Time
The Blue Angels were the headliner, but the Yuma Air Show lineup had way more going on. Here's what stood out.
Tora! Tora! Tora! Attack on Pearl Harbor
This was my personal favorite of the day. Vintage WWII aircraft performed an authentic recreation of the aerial tactics used during the attack on Pearl Harbor — complete with pyrotechnics and bombs going off on the ground. It was dramatic, loud, and genuinely emotional. If you've ever seen old footage of Pearl Harbor and wondered what it would have looked and sounded like in the sky, this is as close as you're getting.
Ace Maker Airshows
The Ace Maker Airshows team brought out the T-33 Shooting Star, a jet trainer dating back to the late 1940s that helped shape a generation of military pilots. We caught their 2 Ship Demo, and it was a really cool performance. Over about 20 minutes, you get to watch them fly head-on passes, loops, rolls, and opposing solo sneak passes. The sneak passes are the best. Classic aviation and a great show.
USMC F-35B Demos
The USMC F-35B demo is something you have to see to believe. We watched it hover in place for over a minute, shoot straight up into the air, and pull off a square loop. We missed the pyrotechnics this year, but we've seen them before, and they take it to another level. A jet that advanced moving like that does not compute in your brain until you are standing there watching it happen and feeling it in your chest.
Smoke-n-Thunder Jet Truck
Okay, this one was pure fun. The Smoke-n-Thunder Jet Truck is a twin-jet-engine '57 Chevy pickup capable of over 350 mph. The kids and Tony loved this one! It is loud, HOT, and ridiculous in the best way.
And honestly, we barely scratched the surface of everything the Yuma Air Show had to offer. The full lineup also included the 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing Band, the Marine Corps Mounted Color Guard, a Military Free Fall School skydiving demo with 8 jumpers, the F-86F and MiG-15 demo, the MAC demo, the Air Oshinuga Pitts demo, a Vietnam Down Pilot Pickup, an Osprey, and they even had cars racing down the runway. It was a full day from start to finish.
The static displays were worth the time, too. You could walk right up to and inside some of the aircraft, including beautifully restored WWII warbirds like the Spitfire Mk XIV, F6F Hellcat, and MiG-17. It is one thing to see these planes fly, and it is another to stand next to one and realize how small the cockpit actually is.
Our Honest RV Family Review
Honestly, it was a wonderful event. The lineup was stacked, admission and parking were completely free, and there was something extra special about being there during America's 250th birthday year. We have been intentional about looking for events that feel like they matter in 2026, and this one absolutely did.
Now let's talk about the heat, because we would be doing you a disservice if we didn't. Yuma in March is no joke. The sun is relentless, and shade is almost nonexistent out on the flight line. Come prepared, or you will spend half the day miserable instead of looking up at some incredible aviation.
A few things that made a big difference for us. We brought a wagon, and it was a game-changer for hauling gear across the grounds. Our compact Jeep chairs were perfect, they are lightweight, easy to pop up anywhere, and simple to break down when we moved spots. Clear water bottles are required for entry, but there are fill stations on site, so bring one and use it more than you think you need to. Sun hats and sunscreen are non-negotiable. Just pack them.
Our one real complaint is the food situation, and this is not unique to Yuma. We are not sure why food like sandwiches and snacks is not allowed. Buying food for four people at an outdoor event in 90-degree heat is expensive, the lines are long, and the quality does not always match the price. It is an easy fix that would make the day so much better for families.
Would we go back? Yes, without question. We would arrive earlier, set up more strategically, and come a little more ready for the heat.
We would love to know what air shows we should add to our schedule or bucket list. Have you seen the Blue Angels before? What was your experience like? Drop us a voice message and tell us all about it. The button is right below!
Oh... and if you are spending time in Yuma, it is worth adding a stop at the Yuma Territorial Prison to your itinerary. Outlaws, scorpions, and Wild West legends. It is a completely different kind of Yuma experience, but equally worth your time.