Contacts: #041-15
Leo Mehalic May 12, 2015
Jennifer Erickson
BLUE ANGELS TO PERFORM DURING USNA COMMISSIONING WEEK
NAVAL ACADEMY BRIDGE AND MARINE CLOSURE INFORMATION
NOTE TO EDITORS AND REPORTERS: Important information regarding bridge and river closures is included in this release. Media should RSVP to the Public Affairs office by 5 p.m., Tuesday, May 19, to cover the Blue Angels flight demonstration on Wednesday, May 20. Weather cancellations will be available by calling 410-293-1000. A media availability with the Blue Angels will be held Monday, May 18 at 11 a.m. at the Naval Academy. An advisory will be sent separately regarding details of the availability.
ANNAPOLIS, Md. - The Blue Angels will perform above the Severn River, Tuesday, May 19 and Wednesday, May 20 as part of the Naval Academy’s Commissioning Week. These events are free and open to the public.
The Blue Angels are the U.S. Navy’s Flight Demonstration Squadron and fly a team of six Navy F/A-18 Hornets and a C-130 Hercules, affectionately known as “Fat Albert.” The team will perform a variety of high-speed, aerobatic, precision-maneuvers during their approximately two-hour long, narrated air show at the Naval Academy.
Viewing areas for the show will include Ingram Field, portions of Farragut Field and Hospital Point on the Naval Academy grounds.
Visitors may experience delays due to an increased number of visitors on the Yard. We encourage all pedestrians to leave bags at home to the extent possible in order to reduce wait times at the gates. Please see additional information provided below [in page 3 of this release] if you plan to visit the Academy for the Blue Angels show.
Tuesday, May 19, the Blue Angels will perform circle and arrival maneuvers between 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. followed by a rehearsal of their flight demonstration between 2 p.m. and 4 p.m.
Wednesday, May 20, the Blue Angels performance and flight demonstration will begin at 2 p.m. The show will be preceded by a fly-by of the Breitling Jet Team, comprised of seven L-39 C Albatros jets. Spectators in the Ingram Field viewing areas will be able to hear the show’s narration. Spectators in other viewing areas can tune-in to WNAV radio on 1430AM and 99.9FM to hear the broadcast of the narration.
Four Naval Academy graduates are part of the Blue Angels team, including the first female pilot in the team’s 69-year history. Marine Corps Capt. Katie Higgins is a graduate of the Class of 2008 and will be in the C-130 “Fat Albert.” Other graduates include Cmdr. Thomas Frosch, Class of 1992, who will be in the No. 1 jet and is the team’s Commanding Officer; Lt. Cmdr. Mark Tedrow, Class of 2004, who will be in the No. 5 jet and is the lead solo pilot; and Cmdr. Bob Flynn, Class of 1992, who is the team’s executive officer.
The Blue Angels flight demonstration exhibits the choreographed refinements of Navy-trained flying skills. The show opens with the Blue Angels C-130 aircraft displaying the tactical flight characteristics of the aircraft. Then the audience will see the graceful maneuvers of the four-jet Diamond formation, in concert with the fast-paced, high-performance maneuvers of the two Solo pilots. The team concludes the demonstration with a performance of maneuvers together in the well-known Delta formation.
Drivers without Department of Defense credentials, midshipman parents passes (MPP) or handicapped stickers are not permitted on academy grounds on May 19 and 20. Pedestrians are invited to walk through USNA Gates 1, 3 or 8 and those 18 years of age and older must show a valid, government-issued ID. All bags are subject to search. Due to the increased number of visitors to the Academy during Commissioning Week, we encourage all visitors to leave bags at home to the extent possible.
Handicapped visitors may bring vehicles onto USNA with handicapped plates or placards; vehicles are subject to search before access is granted.
Parking is available at the blue side of the Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium for a $5 fee for cars, $10 for RVs. There is a free daily shuttle between the stadium and the academy; shuttle buses are not wheelchair accessible.
During the Blue Angels flight rehearsal May 19, and the flight demonstration May 20, the shuttle route on the grounds of the academy will be limited to stopping at Alumni Hall from 11 a.m. until 6 p.m.
Naval Academy Gate Closures for Vehicular Access:
Naval Academy Gates 1 and 3 will be closed to vehicular traffic (except for emergency vehicles) Tuesday, May 19 and Wednesday, May 20 from 11 a.m. until the completion of the flight demonstration rehearsal (approximately 4 p.m.). During these times, Gate 8 will be open only to USNA residents, staff and faculty, and shuttle buses. Gates 1, 3 and 8 will remain open for pedestrian access. Please note that all times are approximate and dependent upon weather. Due to the increased number of visitors to the Academy, we encourage all visitors to leave bags at home to the extent possible. Visitors without bags will be screened separately, and very likely, much more expeditiously.
Visitor Restrictions to the Naval Academy Grounds During Commissioning Week due to security screening at the gates:
Security Information
All persons 18 and older are required to present a valid government ID card for entry into
the Naval Academy and all personnel and vehicles are subject to search. Drivers without
Department of Defense identification cards or Midshipmen Parents Passes are not permitted on the Naval Academy grounds. Vehicle access may be further restricted to staff and residents during limited timeframes in support of special Commissioning Week events; notice will be promulgated separately. Handicapped visitors may bring vehicles onto USNA with handicapped plates or placards; vehicles will be searched before access is granted. Guests are permitted to bring daypacks, diaper bags, camera cases, and purses. Larger bags and large coolers are prohibited. All bags are subject to search; weapons and alcoholic beverages are prohibited.
For the most up-to-date security information, visit www.usna.edu/CommissioningWeek/.
Traffic, Parking and General Rules
Parking on the Yard is very limited. Parking restrictions are strictly enforced in red curb zones. Only official vehicles may park by white curbing. Speed limit on USNA is 15mph or as posted. All traffic must yield to midshipmen marching in formation and pedestrians in crosswalks. Seat belt usage is required at the Naval Academy. Drivers may not use a cell phone unless the vehicle is safely parked or the driver is using a hands-free device. Earphones may not be worn on the Academy while bicycling or driving a vehicle. Roller skating/blading is not allowed on Naval Academy grounds. Animals may not be brought on Academy grounds during Commissioning Week. Possession and consumption of alcohol on Academy grounds is prohibited, except at USNA-sponsored events.
The USNA Cemetery located on Hospital Point should not be used as a transit or viewing area for Commissioning Week events.
The Blue Angels flight demonstration Wednesday, May 20, will be preceded and followed by several other free events for the public’s enjoyment. At 12:45 p.m., the USNA Band will perform on Ingram Field.
At 1 p.m., the Electric Brigade will perform at Hospital Point. Tickets are not required for these events. There will also be an Organ Concert performed by Monty Maxwell will be held in the Main Chapel at 4 p.m.; tickets for this event are required and cost $15.
Please note the following important vehicular and marine restrictions. All events listed are dependent upon weather.
Bridge and Water Restrictions:
The Naval Academy Police, Maryland State Police, U.S. Coast Guard and the Department of Natural Resources Police will enforce the following vehicular and marine safety zones, and boating traffic restrictions during practices and performances by the Blue Angels:
Naval Academy Bridge (Md. Rt. 450) Closures:
The Naval Academy Bridge (Md. Rt. 450) will be closed to all vehicular and pedestrian traffic at the times listed below. Vehicles entering and leaving Annapolis should use Rowe Boulevard or other alternate routes.
TUESDAY, May 19: closed 10:45- 4 p.m. or conclusion of flight rehearsal.
WEDNESDAY, May 20: closed 1:45 p.m.- 4 p.m. or conclusion of flight demonstration.
*** In the event of inclement weather Tuesday, May 19, the Naval Academy Bridge (Md. Rt. 450) will also close from 10:45 a.m. until 1:00 p.m., Wednesday, May 20.
Severn River: Marine Restrictions:
At the times listed below, boat traffic and anchoring will be restricted from the
following areas on the Severn River and its tributaries. The southern boundary will be established by Naval Academy Yard Patrol craft, which will mark a line drawn from the quick flashing light at the south end of the Naval Academy seawall to Greenbury Point.
The northern boundary is marked by the U.S. Rt. 50 Severn River Bridge. Both boundaries will be patrolled by the Coast Guard, Department of Natural Resources Police, Coast Guard Auxiliary and Annapolis Police and Fire Rescue boats.
Anchoring Restrictions:
TUESDAY, May 19: No anchoring 9:30 a.m.- 4 p.m. or conclusion of flight rehearsal.
WEDNESDAY, May 20: No anchoring 9:30 a.m.- 4 p.m. or conclusion of flight demonstration.
Boating Restrictions:
TUESDAY, May 19: No boating 9:30 a.m.- 4 p.m. or conclusion of flight rehearsal.
WEDNESDAY, May 20: No boating 9:30 a.m.- 4 p.m. or conclusion of flight demonstration.
Mariners are urged to transit the area with caution while the Naval Academy Yard Patrol craft are anchored in position. The portion of the Severn River defined by the boundaries below will be closed to all boating traffic during the times listed below.
Severn River: Marine Restrictions:
During periods of restricted boating on the Severn, shoreline residents' boats moored to a permanent dock in the affected area may remain secured to their docks. However, by order of the commander, 5th Coast Guard District, a special local regulation has been issued which closes the river to all other boats -- either underway, anchored or on mooring buoys -- during practices and performances by the Blue Angels. (Please call Coast Guard Activities Baltimore at (410) 576-2693 for additional details.)
Temporary Flight Restrictions:
An FAA waiver has been granted for the following times. This information is for all local pilots:
“Due to high performance aerial demonstrations by the U.S. Navy Blue Angels, the area surrounding the U.S. Naval Academy (38’ 59/12 N, 076’ 28/48 W) BAL 153/13.8 NM is closed from surface to 15,000 ft. MSL out to a five nautical mile radius as follows:”
TUESDAY, May 19, 11 a.m.- 6 p.m.
WEDNESDAY, May 20, 2 p.m.- 4 p.m.
In the event of foul weather Tuesday, May 19, the TFR will be in effect on Wednesday, May 20, from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m.
A Notice to Airmen (NOTAM) will be issued on or about May 18 stating the information above. Questions regarding the NOTAM should be directed to the Naval Academy Operations Department at (410) 293-7136.
For more information about May events at the Naval Academy, visit http://www.usna.edu/CommissioningWeek/. For more information about the Blue Angels, visit www.blueangels.navy.mil. For more information about the Breitling Jet Team, visit http://www.breitling-jet-team.com/en/news-events/.
USNA