The U.S. Navy Blue Angels initiated a review after dramatic footage shows a low-altitude flyover at Pensacola Beach in Florida.
Navy officials said in a statement that Blue Angels leadership is “reviewing the circumstances surrounding the maneuver and conducting a thorough safety review.”
Watch the footage below:
Dramatic video shows the U.S. Navy Blue Angels making a low-altitude flyover above Pensacola Beach, Florida, on Wednesday. Navy officials confirmed in a statement that Blue Angels leadership is "reviewing the circumstances surrounding the maneuver and conducting a thorough safety… pic.twitter.com/ZUa1ryk4X8
— ABC News (@ABC) July 15, 2026
Is this what freedom feels like? 🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸 #America250 @VisitPensacola @BlueAngels pic.twitter.com/OiF7P5XWuw
— Jon-Austen Linch (@JonAustenLinch) July 15, 2026
The Hill shared further:
The incident took place during the annual “Breakfast with the Blues” flyover, which is part of Pensacola Beach Air Show Week. There, the Navy’s flight demonstration squadron made a low pass over the shoreline.
Video shared by USA Today showed sand billowing into the air as beach chairs and other equipment blew across the beach from the thrust of the jet’s engines, sending some spectators scrambling for cover.
Beach gear was also seen hitting several people, according to videos circulating on social media. The extent of any injuries, if any have occurred, has not been confirmed.
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“The safety of our hometown community, spectators, and our pilots is our highest priority,” a Blue Angels spokesperson told local media.
“During an arrival maneuver, an aircraft flew lower than standard profiles, resulting in a disturbance on the beach that affected civilian chairs and umbrellas,” the Blue Angels said, according to CBS News.
“The flyovers will continue until morale improves,” Secretary of War Pete Hegseth said.
The flyovers will continue until morale improves.
— Pete Hegseth (@PeteHegseth) July 16, 2026
“It’s okay to love America,” The White House stated, accompanying a portrait of a Blue Angels jet making a low flyover.
It's okay to love America. pic.twitter.com/s4PhtQb56q
— The White House (@WhiteHouse) July 16, 2026
CBS News has more:
Earlier this month, four Apache helicopters conducted a controversial maneuver when they flew low over crowds gathered along the South Carolina coast on the Fourth of July. The pilots were suspended, which the South Carolina Army National Guard said was a “routine, non-punitive safety measure” and “not a disciplinary action.” Days later, the Pentagon said the suspensions were lifted.
In March, two AH-64 Army helicopters made a flyby to the Nashville home of singer Kid Rock during a training mission. The Army initially suspended the pilots pending investigation. The next day, Hegseth said the pilots’ suspension had been lifted and that there would be no investigation or punishment.






