The Blue Angels (officially known as the U.S. Naval Flight Demonstration Squadron) was created shortly after the second world war, when an order was placed for the creation of a flight exhibition team that would demonstrate naval aviation. The team was formed on April 24, 1946 and had its first performance at the Jacksonville Naval Air Station later that year, with three F6F-5 Hellcats.

The Blue Angels transitioned to jet planes during 1949, converting from F8F Bearcats to the new F9F-2 Panther in 1950. The team was recalled to combat duty during the Korean War, but shortly thereafter the team was reformed as a flight demonstration team. The Panther remained assigned until December 1954, when another Grumman jet arrived.

The second jet the Blue Angels transitioned to was the swept-wing F9F-6 Cougar in August of 1953. Problems developed however, causing them to revert back to the F9F–5 Panther until 1954. 1957 marked the last year they flew in the F9F-8 Cougar.

The final Grumman aircraft flown by the Angels was the F11 Tiger. The Tiger went on to serve the team for the next eleven years, longer than any other previous aircraft. The Blue Angels flew their last performance in a Grumman fighter on November 17, 1968, officially ending their long partnership with Grumman.