Museum to be Permanent Home to U.S. Navy F/A-18 Blue Angel

The National Naval Aviation Museum has granted The Museum of Flight the permanent loan of a McDonnell Douglas F/A-18C retired this year from the Blue Angels flight demonstration team. Distinguished as “Number 2” in the famous group of flyers, the big blue jet will be trucked from Pensacola, Fla. to the Museum this week. The aircraft will be partially disassembled for the trip, with its arrival at the Museum estimated to be Aug. 22. The plane will immediately be reassembled on the parking lot west of the Aviation Pavilion, and rolled directly into its new Pavilion within days. The public is invited to see the plane as it is being prepared for exhibition.

Please follow the Museum’s social media outlets for the latest news and photos of the plane on its journey across American and into the Museum’s Aviation Pavilion.

The plane-Navy registration number 163106-joined the Blue Angels in early 2004, and served with the team until 2016. The plane will be delivered to the Museum as Blue Number 2.This particular F/A-18 has a distinguished combat record. It was delivered to its first squadron, Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 87, in 1986. It was used in combat operations during Operation Desert Storm and Operation Southern Watch over Iraq, and Operation Continue Hope in Somalia. The plane was also flown over Afghanistan after 9/11, and flew strikes over Iraq in 2003.

About the Museum of Flight

Moreno Aguiari

Born in Milan, Italy, Moreno moved to the U.S. in 1999 to pursue a career as a commercial pilot. His aviation passion began early, inspired by his uncle, an F-104 Starfighter Crew Chief, and his father, a military traffic controller. Childhood adventures included camping outside military bases and watching planes at Aeroporto Linate. In 1999, he relocated to Atlanta, Georgia, to obtain his commercial pilot license, a move that became permanent. With 24 years in the U.S., he now flies full-time for a Part 91 business aviation company in Atlanta. He is actively involved with the Commemorative Air Force, the D-Day Squadron, and other aviation organizations. He enjoys life with his supportive wife and three wonderful children.

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