Despite a bitter cold wind, a large crowd gathered at the Billings airport to greet two members of the Blue Angels flight crew as they did a flyover of Billings in a F-18. The flyover of Billings launched ticket sales for the Yellowstone Air Show set for August 22 and 23.

The Yellowstone Air Show this year follows a hugely successful Air Show in 2023, produced by the same Billings volunteers, plus a few more. The visit by the two Blue Angeles, Lt. Ronny Hafeza and Cdr. Lilly Montana, was a routine mid-winter review with members of the Air Show committee to further plan and organize for the big event, explained Ben Flanagan, who is this year’s Air Show Superintendent.

Planners for the Airshow are focused on making it especially significant this year, since 2026 is the nation’s 250th Birthday. But in addition to that, 2026 marks significant milestones for the Blue Angeles. Lt. Ronny Hafeza and Cdr. Lilly Montana pointed out that it’s the 80th anniversary of the Blue Angels being a team and it’s their 40th year flying Boeing Aircraft.

After disembarking from their plane in front of an Edwards Jet Center hanger at the Billings Airport, Hafeza and Montana answered questions from those who gathered to greet them. Many of the questions came from a bunch of students from the Elysian Middle School Aero Club, comprised of students who are interested in aviation.

One of the students asked how they came to be called the Blue Angeles. The two pilots replied that was the name of the establishment where organizers met to put forth their plans to create the team in 1946. Formally known as the U.S. Navy Flight Demonstration Squadron, the team has six Navy and one Marine Corps pilots,  flying Boeing F/A-18E/F Super Hornet and the Lockheed Martin C-130J Super Hercules.

They explained that the jet in which they arrived in Billings is Number 7 and it is considered a “spare” jet, to serve as needed.

The Blue Angels typically perform in 60 or more shows annually at 32 locations throughout the United States.

Flanagan urged everyone to get tickets early. Tickets can be purchased on -line at yellowstoneairshow.com. Ticket prices begin at $10 for kids and $55 for adults for general admission. There are also tickets that go up to $350 for exclusive VIP service and special amenities. Flanagan explained that ticket sales will be limited by available parking space. Each day of the 2023 airshow about 20,000 spectators attended. This year they anticipate between 25,000 and 30,000 each day.

Since it is the nation’s 250th birthday, the Airshow committee is focused on making the event very special. During the interim, since 2023, the planning committee leaders, which includes co-chairs Matthew McDonnell and Jake Penwell, have been researching and “getting a lot of lessons” on  how to make the show bigger and better. They will be better prepared in going through the planning stages and making sure “we have the right people.” Some committee members have attended air shows in other states to gather new ideas.

Flanagan, who is overseeing the physical arrangement of the field, said that one of the changes this year will be to locate the space where the Blue Angels park their planes closer to the crowd so more people see them getting in and out of their planes. It is part of the ground show and not many people got to see it last time, he said.

Of course the Blue Angeles are the stars of the show but other amazing daredevil acts and performances are being lined up, which will be announced as the event draws near.

The event depends on local volunteers. On the two performance days they need 300 to 400 volunteers, said Flanagan, and while they have a lot of volunteers they still need more. Anyone wanting to volunteer may do so by contacting the committee through the website.

Flanagan said that they have many of their sponsors lined up but there are still opportunities for more. He noted that one of the unique things about the Yellowstone Air Show is that they provide a hospitality tent especially for sponsors.