First Two Blue Angels Shows of 2026 Are Canceled
Photo Credit: Unsplash / Todd Diemer
Skift Take
Military bases have been forced to increase security in reaction to the growing threat of terrorism, leaving two organizers with no choice but to call off their popular air shows.
The first two shows of the U.S. Navy’s Blue Angels’ 2026 season have been canceled as a result of U.S. military bases being put under “Force Protection Condition Bravo,” the protocol when faced with a heightened threat of terrorist activity against personnel or facilities.
The El Centro Air Show at Naval Air Facility El Centro in California was scheduled for March 14. “We spent several weeks in meetings and conversations as security protocols changed, trying to see where our red line was,” said Kristopher Haugh, public affairs and protocol officer at Naval Air Facility El Centro. Finally, commanding officers made the call to cancel “in the interest of the safety and security of not only the base and its people and equipment, but the attendees as well,” he said.
Air shows heavily rely heavily on sponsors, ranging from local businesses to major corporations, to support and market their events, and the El Centro show’s national sponsors included Enterprise Mobility. The base has a long history of hosting the air show, and is already planning for its return in 2027.
The NAS Lemoore Air Show at Naval Air Station Lemoore in California was scheduled for the following week, on March 21–22. The decision to cancel came on March 4. “Canceling this event was an incredibly tough call,” said NAS Commanding Officer, Captain Shawn O’Connor. “Our air show is one of the most meaningful ways we connect with our community.”
There has been no announcement yet about the next scheduled air show in the series, Wings Over Meridian, on March 28–29 in Meridian, Miss. The show will mark the 65th anniversary of NAS Meridian, and be the first time that the Blue Angels have performed there in 15 years.
The Blue Angels were forced to end their 2025 season early when the NAS Pensacola Homecoming Air Show on November 6–7 was canceled because of the government shutdown.
