Jet fighter planes were a major part of our lives for most of Jim’s Air Force career with him flying and me waiting and watching. They were never commonplace; always incredibly exciting. I know Jim’s heart still beats faster when he’s around them. As for me, if printer’s ink runs through my veins then the roar of those jet engines makes them throb.
Witness our reaction to attending a practice of the Blue Angels last week. We were fortunate enough to watch them from a fourth floor balcony overlooking Charleston Harbor. We have seen many performances of this Naval Aircraft Flight Demonstration Team and its Air Force counterpart, the Thunderbirds. These pilots demonstrate the skills of all military aviators and share them as our country’s goodwill ambassadors around the globe.
We had mostly watched these squadrons from ground level around Air Force base runways. Observing the Blues from an elevated venue with close formations executed directly over and close around us, was the best experience ever. Jim was low key and enjoyed explaining some of the maneuvers to our hosts and other observers. I also handled the whole scenario with all with the pride that comes with being a military wife for a quarter of century, as well as the maturity that comes with my advancing years. I simply jumped up and down and cheered like a teenager at a rock concert. Felt like one too. When I could take my eyes off the show I watched the other watchers. Mostly they gazed in awe, probably the most appropriate reaction.
The Blues six-plane show features the Hornet, officially the Boeing F/A-18 aircraft. According to their official website, the program includes the four-jet, Diamond Formation, in concert with a fast-paced, high-performance pinnacle of precision flying. In the latter, they perform maneuvers locked as a united in the renowned, six-jet Delta Formation. They fly as chillingly close as 18” wingtip-to-canopy, as fast as 700 mph (just under Mach 1 at seal level) with the counterpoint slowest maneuver called tail sitting. In this, two jets slow down to 125 knots, seemingly crawl speed, as they pitch the nose of their Hornets up to 45 degrees. Other exercises included some jaw dropping opposing passes (toward each other in what appears to be a collision course) and mirror formations (back-to-back, belly-to-belly, or wingtip-to-wingtip, with one jet flying inverted, and both with landing gear down). One of the most lavish formations is the Fleur de Lis, where all six head for heaven and then break into in six downward slopes, illustrating the meaning of this formation by releasing white smoke to simulate the flowing petals of a colossally graceful lily.
Blues pilots typically serve two years after which they return to fleet assignments. Winter practice is in California after which the team returns to home base in Florida in March to continue practicing throughout their show season, some 70 performances, until November. The 2010 team consists of 16 members, including pilots, maintenance, medical, events, public affairs and other support personnel.
Since 1946 the Blues have flown a variety of different aircraft types for more than 427 million spectators worldwide. Their background is as impressive as their skills. And Happy Birthday to them all. This squadron turns 64 tomorrow.