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Blue Angels Cancel Show Due To Heavy Fog

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Oct 10, 2009 4:51 pm US/Pacific

Blue Angels Cancel Show Due To Heavy Fog

SAN FRANCISCO (CBS 5/KCBS/BCN) ―

Click to enlarge 1 of 1: The Blue Angels in formation.
Tia Hoffman/CBS

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The Blue Angels called off their much-anticipated Saturday performance for San Francisco's Fleet Week due to fog.

The U.S. Navy demonstration team took off from San Francisco International Airport shortly before the scheduled 3 p.m. show Saturday. The pilots made a few passes over the city for about 15 minutes but determined the fog was well below 1,500 feet returned to the airport. Visibility is crucial for the pilots in order to make complicated maneuvers.

According to Coast Guard officials, the order to reopen the safety zone for boaters on the bay was issued at 3:36 p.m.

Crowds packing San Francisco's waterfront expressed disappointment at the cancellation.

"We come here every year for this, and it is kind of a disappointment for us," said one onlooker.

The tradition dates back to 1908 when the Great White Fleet, which later became the Pacific Fleet, sailed into the Golden Gate. The celebrations ceased during World War II, but in 1981, then-mayor Dianne Fienstein revived the tradition and brought in the Navy's Blue Angels, which have become the highlight of the festivities.

The squad, known for its breathtaking stunts, was formed in 1946 as a naval demonstration team meant to maintain public interest in the Navy. It's estimated that 15 million people watch their show each year.

The Blue Angels will give an encore performance Sunday at 3 p.m.