Civilians planning to watch the Blue Angels over Annapolis this spring should check their access credentials before heading anywhere near the Naval Academy. A report published this morning by the Baltimore Sun confirms that heightened security restrictions at Naval Support Activity Annapolis (NSAA) and the U.S. Naval Academy (USNA) — in place since March 1, 2026 — will significantly limit public access to the Yard during Commissioning Week.
The Blue Angels are scheduled to fly on Tuesday, May 19 (rehearsal, 2 p.m.) and Wednesday, May 20 (official flight demonstration, 2 p.m.), with both performances running over the Severn River near the Naval Academy Bridge. The Class of 2026 graduation ceremony follows on Friday, May 22 at Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium — invitation only, Blue Angels flyover included.
What Changed — And When
On March 1, NSAA and USNA elevated their force protection posture under U.S. Northern Command directives, citing “current world events.” The fallout for spectators is real. The Trusted Traveler program — which had previously allowed credentialed personnel to escort non-credentialed guests onto the installation — is suspended until further notice. Greenbury Point, historically one of the best free shoreside viewing spots on the north bank of the Severn, remains closed to the public.
Elizabeth Wrightson, USNA Director of Media Relations, has stated that public access to the campus will be “severely limited” — and added a pointed caveat: given the fluid security environment, all guidance is subject to change before show week. The USNA’s ticket office has confirmed it can no longer sponsor vehicular access passes for performances, directing visitors to the Naval Academy Visitor Center for current particulars.
Gate Closures, Bridge Shutdowns, and Viewing Alternatives
On both May 19 and May 20, the Naval Academy Bridge (Maryland Route 450) will be closed to all vehicular and pedestrian traffic from 10:45 a.m.–1:00 p.m. and again from 1:45 p.m. through approximately 4:00 p.m. Gate 1 closes from 11:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m. on show days. Gate 8 is restricted to staff, faculty, residents, and credentialed media only.
For anyone without base access, the water is the move. The Severn River’s restricted zone closes to unauthorized vessel traffic around 10:30 a.m. on show days, reopening after approximately 4:00 p.m. Anchoring is permitted outside the marked red restricted zones — the best spots are off Greenbury Point near Carr Creek or on the western side of the flight box closer to the Route 50 Bridge. The U.S. Coast Guard, DNR Police, Annapolis Harbormaster, and Annapolis Police will all be on the water.
Families of Midshipmen may still access the Yard, but the process isn’t simple. Each guest must have a Local Population ID Card/Base Access Pass Registration completed in advance, and the Midshipman must be present and escorting their guests at all times. Non-U.S. citizens require a DoD-credentialed escort and must present a passport on request.
The Aircraft and the Team
Now in their fifth year with the Boeing F/A-18 Super Hornet, the Blue Angels are flying the single-seat F/A-18E in demonstration slots and the two-seat F/A-18F for Blue Angel #7 and the #4 Slot Pilot during practice routines. “Fat Albert” — the team’s C-130J Super Hercules logistics aircraft — rounds out the lineup. The 2026 season also marks the Blue Angels’ 80th anniversary, coinciding with the nation’s 250th birthday.
Leading the team is CDR Adam “Gilligan” Bryan, Commanding Officer and Flight Leader. When announcing the 2026 officer selections last July, Bryan said:
“Selecting new officers is never easy with such a strong pool of candidates. We’re proud to announce our 2026 officers and can’t wait to see the impact they’ll have on the team.”
LT Cam “Starlazer/Hatfish” Schneider flies the Right Wing position. CAPT Olivia Bair, USMC, is among the C-130J pilots on the 2026 roster.
What’s Next on the Schedule
The Annapolis dates fall directly between Vero Beach, Florida (May 16–17) and Harrisburg/Middletown, Pennsylvania (May 23–24) on the Blue Angels’ 2026 tour calendar — a busy stretch right through the Memorial Day travel window. Anyone driving into Annapolis on show days should build in extra time. City parking garages at Mills Hillman (150 Gorman St.), Gott’s (25 Calvert St.), Knighton (1A Colonial Ave.), and Park Place (One Park Place) are the recommended options, with a free shuttle running from Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium to downtown throughout Commissioning Week.
Security guidance is explicitly flagged as subject to change. The single most important thing anyone traveling to Annapolis for May 19 or 20 can do is check the USNA base access page in the days immediately before departure.
Sources
- Baltimore Sun — Blue Angels Commissioning Week civilian viewing restrictions (April 27, 2026)
- Patch.com — Local Blue Angels Commissioning Week schedule and civilian guidance (April 23, 2026)
- City of Annapolis — Official Commissioning Week press release (April 21, 2026)
- U.S. Naval Academy — Base access and security updates (updated April 14, 2026)
- U.S. Navy Blue Angels — Official 2026 schedule and team roster
- DVIDS — CDR Adam Bryan quote on 2026 officer selections (July 2025)
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