Jellie Whitehurst in Pensacola, Fla., was surprised to learn that after decades, the Navy had awarded a $1.7 million contract to a company in Virginia to supply the gear.

Whitehurst had sewn the Blue Angels' suits for over 40 years, building a reputation for quality craftsmanship that the elite naval flight demonstration squadron relied on.

The shift to a larger Virginia-based company marks a significant change in how the Navy sources its specialized equipment, potentially impacting local businesses that have long served military contracts.

The decision reflects broader trends in defense contracting, where larger corporations often win bids over smaller, specialized operations.