Behind the scenes with the U.S. Navy's Blue Angels

MILWAUKEE (WITI) -- You might have heard the sound of jets in the air on Thursday -- that's because the Blue Angels are in town!

The Navy’s Blue Angels crew is getting ready for the Milwaukee Air and Water show this weekend.

Since their arrival Wednesday afternoon, they have two demonstrations scheduled and several maintenance checks to complete before they hit the skies for the Milwaukee crowd.

“Without us checking the planes, the pilots wouldn't be able to do what they do and be mishap free,” said AE2 (AW/SW) Steven Hart, The Blue Angels Crew Chief.

Blue Angel Pilot, Major Brandon Cordill, says they have quite the show planned -- starting with some maneuvers from the plane known as "Fat Albert,” into some complicated maneuvers from the jets, and wrapping up with the "Delta Formation" which involves all 6 jets at once.

“When we're in the air it’s very different than what the crowd is experiencing. In the air you're so focused, you're so concentrated,” said Cordill, “the mental process we go through is probably similar to that of a professional athlete getting ready for the game. And then once you're in the game you ignore the crowd to do what you need to do and the job all your team mates are doing.”

Major Cordill also shared his "pre-flight routine" which includes eating almost two meals worth of food so he has a full stomach when he flies. Cordill explained that when flying in a show like the Milwaukee Air and Water Show, the pilots can burn up to 1,500 calories.

The Milwaukee Air and Water Show is this Saturday and Sunday, June 21st and 22nd, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.