A complete list of all the known military airshow frequencies can be found online at the Monitoring Times website. Our annual MT Airshow Guide is now available for download in PDF format at http://www.monitoringtimes.com/MT_Air_Show_Guide_mar08.pdf. And the best part of all this is it is free, a service for the monitoring community from the staff of Monitoring Times magazine.
Milcom frequency alert: Locals report the following frequencies in use during practice sessions by the Blue Angels: 237.800 255.200 284.250 MHz (AM mode)
Possible Annapolis EDACS Trunk Radio system (this needs to be confirmed if still in use): 138.1250 (LCN1) 142.1000 (LCN2) 142.6000 (LCN3) 143.7000 (LCN4)
And here is the 380-400 MHz trunk radio system (P25 only): 386.3125c 386.5875c 388.0250 388.3875c MHz (P25 digital only)
Field reports are most welcomed at the email address in the masthead.
ANNAPOLIS, Md. - The U.S. Navy’s Flight Demonstration Squadron, the Blue Angels, will perform a variety of high-speed, aerobatic precision-maneuvers above the Severn River Wednesday, May 21 during the Naval Academy’s Commissioning Week. Viewing areas for the show will include Ingram Field, portions of Farragut Field and Hospital Point on the Naval Academy grounds. These events are free and open to the public.
On Wednesday, May 21, the Blue Angels performance and flight demonstration will begin at 2 p.m. and will be narrated from Ingram Field. The show’s narration can be heard from Ingram Field, or spectators from other viewing areas can tune-in to WNAV 1430AM to hear the broadcast of the narration.
For decades, the Blue Angels have performed for thousands of spectators during Commissioning Week. This year, two Naval Academy graduates are part of the Blue Angels team. Lt. Frank Weisser, Class of 2000, is the pilot for No. 7 and narrator and Lt. Cmdr. Mark E. Lambert, Class of 1996, is the Blue Angels’ Flight Surgeon.
The Blue Angels flight demonstration exhibits the choreographed refinements of Navy-trained flying skills. The presentation includes four-plane, graceful, acrobatic maneuvers referred to as diamond maneuvers. All jets perform maneuvers together in the well-known delta formation.
Vehicles with Department of Defense decals or handicapped stickers are permitted on Academy grounds. Vehicles displaying Friends of the Naval Academy (FONA) passes will not be permitted to park on Naval Academy grounds during the Blue Angels visit. Pedestrians are invited to walk through Gate 1, 3 or 8 and must show a valid, government-issued ID. All bags are subject to search.
All non-authorized vehicles, buses, recreational vehicles and spectators must park at the blue side of the Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium and ride the free daily shuttle between the Navy Marine Corps Memorial Stadium and the Academy. Shuttle buses are not wheelchair accessible.
Handicapped visitors will be permitted to park on Academy grounds with a valid handicap plates or placards and after a vehicle inspection at Gate 8. Visitors must park at the Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium or in-town. During the Blue Angels Flight Rehearsal and Flight Demonstration the shuttle route on the Yard will be limited to stopping at Alumni Hall from 1 p.m. until 5 p.m.
***Please Note the Following Important Vehicular and Marine Restrictions***
*All times listed are dependent upon weather
Naval Academy Gate Closures for Vehicular Access
Naval Academy Gate 1 and 3 will be closed to vehicular traffic (except for emergency vehicles) on Wednesday, May 21 from 11 a.m. until the completion of the flight demonstration rehearsal (approximately 4 p.m.). Gate 8 will be open during these same times only to USNA staff and faculty, vehicles with DoD stickers, shuttle buses and cars displaying handicapped plates or placards. Gates 1, 3 and 8 will remain open for pedestrian access. Please note that all times are approximate and dependent upon weather.
Visitor Restrictions
• Coolers and elaborate picnicking are not permitted on Naval Academy grounds at any time.
• Guests are permitted to bring folding outdoor chairs or blankets to sit on.
• Guests are permitted to bring backpacks, diaper bags and purses. All bags are subject to search.
• Dogs are not permitted to attend events during Commissioning Week.
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 scheduled low-level flight operations 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.
WEDNESDAY, May 21, 1:30 p.m. – 4 p.m.*
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:
WEDNESDAY, May 21, 10 a.m. - 4 p.m.*
Boating Restrictions:
WEDNESDAY, May 21, 10:30 a.m. – 4 p.m.*
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.
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) 576-2674 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:”
WEDNESDAY, May 21, 10:30 a.m.- 4 p.m.
A notice to Airmen (NOTAM) will be issued on or about May 19th stating the information above. Questions regarding the NOTAM should be directed to the Naval Academy Operaions Department at (410) 293-7136.
On Wednesday, May 21, the Blue Angels flight demonstration will be preceded and followed by several other events for the public’s enjoyment. At 1 p.m., the Navy Band will perform on Ingram Field. At 4 p.m., Monte Maxwell will perform an organ concert in the main chapel. These events are also free and open to the public.
