The roar of jet engines could be heard midday Thursday as the Blue Angels soared overhead for their first practice runs ahead of Fleet Week air shows this weekend.
The practice flight comes as dignitaries from around the country attend a memorial outside San Francisco City Hall for the late U.S. Sen. Dianne Feinstein, who died Sept. 29.
Mayor London Breed was interrupted by noise from the jets but said they were a fitting reminder of Feinstein's legacy.
"Thank you, Mayor Feinstein, for bringing the Blue Angels to San Francisco in 1981," Breed said to applause.
Some echoed Breed's sentiments on social media.
A Blue Angels flyover this afternoon as the city of San Francisco remembers and honors Dianne Feinstein 💙 pic.twitter.com/oj903CtSVg
— Noelle Bellow (@noellebellow) October 5, 2023
Others found the noise from the Blue Angels' practice run disrespectful during such a somber occasion.
Seriously, the Blue Angels couldn’t wait until AFTER Senator Feinstein’s funeral to tear through the skies?
— jjinsf (@jjinsf) October 5, 2023
Oakland International Airport (OAK) hosts the Blue Angels team starting Thursday, when practice flights are scheduled from 1 to 6 p.m.
The air show will take place over San Francisco on Friday, Saturday and Sunday from noon to 4 p.m.
The elite flight demonstration squadron should close out each day's aerial performances during the free public event along San Francisco's waterfront—as long as foggy weather doesn't cancel the final act like it did last year.
The rest of the weeklong celebration includes public ship tours, musical performances and other activities.
For more details and updates, visit the official Fleet Week website.