Blue Angels return to Yuma Airshow for 60th annual event
The Blue Angels drew tens of thousands back to MCAS Yuma, where the free 60th annual airshow doubled as the base’s biggest public outreach day.
The Blue Angels’ return turned the 60th annual Yuma Airshow into more than a spectacle over the desert. For Yuma County, the free event at Marine Corps Air Station Yuma brought tens of thousands of families, aviation fans and community members onto a base that is usually closed to the public, offering a rare look at the installation’s role in the local economy and in Marine Corps aviation.
MCAS Yuma said the airshow is its largest annual community outreach event, and the setup reflected that scale. Gates opened at 9 a.m., the official show began at 10:30 a.m., and the day ran through 4 p.m. with dynamic flight demonstrations, static aircraft displays and opportunities for visitors to meet Marines and learn about the service’s mission and capabilities. Admission was free, though premium seating was available, and the airshow’s website described the event as a winner of the ICAS Pinnacle Award for Military Airshows and Open Houses.
The biggest draw this year came when the U.S. Navy Flight Demonstration Squadron Blue Angels were announced on March 10, 2026, for the March 14 show. It was their first appearance in Yuma in nearly 40 years, and local coverage said they delivered high-speed formations and precision maneuvers over the base. Capt. Owen VanWyck, MCAS Yuma’s communications director, said the Blue Angels showcase “the teamwork, professionalism, and precision of U.S. Naval Aviation.”
The airshow also carried a wider message about the base-community relationship that has shaped Yuma for decades. MCAS Yuma announced airshow dates through 2028 on Sept. 12, 2024, with the 2025 show held March 15, 2025, the 2026 show on March 14, 2026, the 2027 show scheduled for March 13, 2027, and the 2028 show for March 11, 2028. That steady calendar gives local businesses a predictable spring draw and keeps the base visible to residents who rarely see its day-to-day operations.
Marine Corps reporting has long described MCAS Yuma as the busiest air station in the Corps, and a 2019 service story said it supports 80 percent of Marine Corps air-to-ground aviation training. The installation was signed over to the Navy on Jan. 1, 1959, and became Marine Corps Air Station Yuma on July 20, 1962. For Yuma County, the airshow remains one of the clearest public windows into a military presence that still helps define the region’s identity.
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