The Navy was celebrating the Blue Angles birthday and the Air Force’s Thunderbirds decided to show up to their home base at Naval Air Station Pensacola, Florida. April 24, 1946 – CNO Adm. Chester W. Nimitz ordered the formation of a flight exhibition team that would showcase naval aviation. Officially known as the U.S. Naval Flight Demonstration Squadron, they formally adopted the nickname “Blue Angels” in 1949 when the squadron commander designed the Blue Angels insignia which is nearly identical to the one in use today.” – US Navy