Federal shutdown would likely yank Blue Angels from San Francisco Fleet Week

"Without a quick budget agreement to end a shutdown, the Blues would not be able to fly, O'Rourke said. As of Tuesday morning, Fleet Week was still advertising tickets for the air show that start at $150. Nor would U.S. Navy ships dock in the Bay Area, O'Rourke said. Currently, two Navy ships docked in San Diego are expected to pull into the Bay Area on Oct. 5, he said."

"Non-military events at Fleet Week would proceed, he said. Those include a competition between high school bands, and the nations of Canada and Colombia will dispatch ships for display no matter what plays out in Washington, D.C. Our international partners remain confirmed, said Fleet Week spokesperson David Cruise, with visiting ships from Canada and Colombia, and the San Francisco Fleet Week Air Show presented by United will feature the Canadian Snowbirds, returning for the first time since 2017, among many other performers."

An immediate federal government shutdown would prevent the U.S. Navy and Marine Corps from participating in San Francisco Fleet Week, grounding the Blue Angels and stopping Navy ships from docking. The Royal Canadian Air Force Snowbirds will still perform. Two Navy ships in San Diego would be unable to reach the Bay Area if the shutdown lasts more than a few days, delaying their planned Oct. 5 arrival. Air-show tickets were still on sale at $150 as of Tuesday morning. Non-military events, including a high school band competition, and visiting ships from Canada and Colombia would proceed. Some locals welcome the Blue Angels' absence due to noise and military symbolism.

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