Blue Angels, Thunderbirds, And Snowbirds Combine For Incredible 21-Ship Mass Formation

US Navy Blue Angels, USAF Thunderbirds, Canadian Forces Snowbirds Joint Formation Flight

In an historic moment, the US Navy Blue Angels, US Air Force Thunderbirds, and Canadian Forces Snowbirds joined together in a massive formation yesterday near Lake Erie. The three teams have crossed paths and flown jointly before, but this is believed to be the first and only time that all 21(!) display aircraft have shared the skies together.

US Navy Blue Angels, USAF Thunderbirds, Canadian Forces Snowbirds Joint Formation FlightUS Navy Blue Angels, USAF Thunderbirds, Canadian Forces Snowbirds Joint Formation Flight

US Navy Blue Angels, USAF Thunderbirds, Canadian Forces Snowbirds Joint Formation Flight

The flight was only possible because all three teams are performing relatively close to each other this Labor Day weekend. The Snowbirds and Thunderbirds are in Toronto, ON for the Canadian International Air Show while the Blue Angels are in Cleveland, OH for the Cleveland National Air Show.

US Navy Blue Angels, USAF Thunderbirds, Canadian Forces Snowbirds Joint Formation Flight

Photographer Glenn Watson captured the joint flight from the rear of the formation and all three teams shared these same photos on their social media pages. Hopefully more photos come out from another angle!

4 Responses

  1. Charlie Hansen

    Can you keep me posted, because I really want to meet the Breitling Jet Team when they come back to America.

  2. James Moore

    Fantastic performances!!

    I would have loved to have seen all three demo teams perform together that would have been a huge treat!

    Always marvel at the skill and determination that these teams show when they fly, hats off to our service pilots.

  3. D. Chris Walker

    Not entirely accurate! All 3 teams shared the same airspace over Dayton International Airport at the 2003 huge Airshow which airport director E. Blair Conrad put together to celebrate the 100th anniversary of powered flight. As one who witnessed this rare feat, I can attest that this description is not a “first”.

    • Gary L Hammond

      D. Chris Walker, I was there in Dayton as well but it would have been great to see them all in the air at the same time.

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