The Blue Angels are returning. Following their hugely successful show in Billings in 2023, the Blue Angels have announced that they will be returning on August 22 and 23 in 2026 for the Yellowstone International Air Show. And, this show will be bigger and even better, according to Mathew McDonnell, who will once again co-chair the event with Jake Penwell.

Their previous Billings show drew more than 15,000 people to watch their aerial displays.

The event will be more patriotic and celebratory, declared McDonnell, noting that 2026 is the United States’ 250th birthday, and they plan to add to the show to truly recognize this historic date.

McDonnell said that most of the volunteers who were involved in producing the Blue Angels air show in Billings in 2023 are on board. They were all asked about their willingness to do it again, shortly after the 2023 air show, and before the request for a return visit was submitted to the Blue Angels. Everyone was enthusiastic about doing it again, said McDonnell – “even the airport for whom this is a lot of work gave an enthusiastic ‘yes.’”

Edwards Jet Service and Billings Flying Service will also return as important participants. Their support is vital in its success, according to McDonnell.“A lot of people are even more optimistic about the event, because they saw it done.”

 This time, the event won’t be competing “back to back” with Montana Fair, added McDonnell.

Equally enthusiastic, said McDonnell, are the Blue Angels. The Billings event will be special for them too because it is the one they selected to invite their friends and families to, because Billings showed them such a good time in 2023. The Blue Angels and their families will be arriving a week early just to enjoy Billings. Arriving early is not something they normally do. “They all remember us,” said McDonnell, although he noted that none of the pilots will be the same.

The board has already held its first meeting. “So far we are ahead on everything,” said McDonnell.

Because of their earlier experience, they are going hire someone to manage and coordinate the event and that someone is going to be Joey Domicoli, a former crew chief for the Blue Angels. “We couldn’t have a better person,” said McDonnell.

“We will be focused on shoring up our short comings,” said McDonnell, adding that parking is their biggest concern because many of the airport buildings have changed.