Blue Angels F/A-18 returns to NAS Jacksonville’s main gate after more than two-month refurbishment

A familiar site returned to the front gate of Naval Air Station Jacksonville, the base announced Saturday.

The Blue Angels F/A-18 Hornet that typically stands guard at the main gate of the installation returned after a more than two-month long refurbishment period.

NAS Jacksonville officials said the iconic jet, which symbolizes the base’s status as the birthplace of the Navy’s world-famous fighter demonstration squadron, returned early Saturday morning after the 70-day refurbishment period, in which the jet saw a “complete overhaul” in paint and corrosion.

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Officials said crews with Fleet Readiness Center Southeast towed the F/A-18 back down Yorktown Avenue from their paint shop, placing the aircraft on its pad – which was also recently redone – at the front of the Yorktown Gate on Roosevelt Boulevard.

Check out these photos of the operation from the Navy:

While the Blue Angels currently operate out of Naval Air Station Pensacola, the squadron got its start at NAS Jacksonville in 1946, flying Grumman F6F Hellcat propeller fighter planes of WWII fame.