JACKSONVILLE – Naval Air Station Jacksonville was a hub of excitement last week leading into the weekend. Planes packed the skies ranging from personal jets to the elite planes of today’s military like the F-22 Raptor. Included in the weekend’s lineup were the NAS Jax-born group of elite pilots that make up the Navy’s Flight Demonstration Team, also known as the Blue Angels. The group, now based in Pensacola, started at the local Navy base in 1946 when the first demonstration of their precise flying was put on display for Navy officers, eventually leading to the internationally-performing group known today. When the Blue Angels come, people hear about it, and this year the base estimated they would see about 200,000 people during the weekend, with the Nov. 4 show starting at about 10 a.m. and going until about 4 p.m., and a Sunday show just a few hours shorter to allow the Angels time to get home before sundown. “This annual event is highly anticipated by the local community,” said Executive Officer Capt. Sean Haley, commander of NAS Jax, in a prepared statement. “The air show not only entertains our community, but also serves to showcase the pride and professionalism [...]