The Blue Angels have returned to Pensacola - The Firearms Forum

HiPowerKid · 03-22-2006, 09:18 AM

The Blue Angels just did one of their maneuvers over my office for the first time in months. They're BACK! It's almost like the Swallows returning to Capistrano. They perform practice sessions over my office twice a week. Never get tired of hearing the "Sound of Freedom." If you have never seen their show, nor the one put on by the Air Force's Thunderbirds, you're missing a great show. Now that's a job for which a paycheck is just a bonus! (albeit not as big a bonus as everyone might wish).

Marlin · 03-22-2006, 09:52 AM

They are the greatest, HPK. You are fortunate to have that wonderful exposure.

SouthernMoss · 03-22-2006, 10:16 AM

Marlin and I watched a series of specials about the Blue Angels not too long ago on the Military channel. Talk about complete trust! Except for the leader, the pilots don't look ahead; rather, they watch the wing of their neighbor. And the leader "leads" them with the cadence of his voice. And when Fat Albert takes off with those rocket boosters ...

We're hoping to get to a show sometime later this year.

candr44 · 03-22-2006, 02:47 PM

I use to watch the Blue Angels and the Thunder Birds every year where I use to work. I worked right outside MacDill AFB in Tampa at the end of the runway. It was pretty cool watching them fly upside down just obove the tree tops and right over my head. I could have reconized the pilot if he didn't have a mask and helmet on.

I use to see the F-16s every day when they had them at MacDill. It was neat to watch them just lift off the ground and point straight up and climb like a rocket. They would also turn so sharp and slow that you would swear they were going to drop out of the sky.

22WRF · 03-22-2006, 03:23 PM

I just got back from NAS and didn't get to see them

Maybe they were taking a nap

Meplat · 03-22-2006, 03:59 PM

My uncle (Mom's brother) was one of the 29 Thunderbirds killed enroute to a show over Idaho in 1956. These people still treat my Mom and her family like royalty when they have an airshow anywhere near. Since Mom can't walk any distance at all (drunken driver fixed her up but good twenty years ago) she called them about seeing if any arrangements could be made to allow her to have access to the show. They not only provided for access, but sent us VIP passes that allowed us, as the guy at the gate said, "To park anywhere you want...park in the hangar if that's where your wheels stop." Exagerrating a bit, but not much.

It was too late for them to send out VIP passes, so they had one of their pilots fly them in with him to the show. I went to pick them up at the hotel where they were lodging, expecting them (the passes) to be waiting at the lobby desk. My son (seven at the time) had ridden along with me. It came as some surprise when not just the pilot who had brought the tickets came down, but the entire flight crew as well. They all wanted to meet us. It came as quite a shock. It also left one youngster with a memory that will last a lifetime. At the show itself, one of the pilots took my son on an "inside tour" of the machines they used, and treated him with deference I would never have expected. Class group of people to say the least.

I'm sure the Angels measure up in every way as well.

That hot dog stuff of Hollywood is pure crapola. These gentlemen have worked long and hard to get to the point they are at, and are all professional to the hilt. It's a program few can master. My nephew flies an A-10, and will spit on the ground in disgust if anyone should mention "Top Gun" in his presence.

I have been to many air shows where both the Thunderbirds and the Blue Angels have performed, and can never watch them without a lump forming in my throat at the sacrifices these men have made to be where they are at, and the further sacrifices they are willing to make for all of us at a moments notice. Yeah...I love that sound too.

SouthernMoss · 03-22-2006, 04:28 PM

Meplat, that's a great story; thanks for sharing it with us. It is exactly the type of conduct I would expect from these men. They are truly awesome.

Nortranman · 03-22-2006, 06:52 PM

Having been fortunate enough to spend a tour in the Navy then a tour in the Air Force I have seen both teams a number of times. I was in crash rescue in the air force and those guys really made me nervous when they were performing at our base. Real class, real professionals.

03-22-2006, 09:18 AM	#1
HiPowerKid V.I.P. Member Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: NW FL Posts: 202	The Blue Angels have returned to Pensacola The Blue Angels just did one of their maneuvers over my office for the first time in months. They're BACK! It's almost like the Swallows returning to Capistrano. They perform practice sessions over my office twice a week. Never get tired of hearing the "Sound of Freedom." If you have never seen their show, nor the one put on by the Air Force's Thunderbirds, you're missing a great show. Now that's a job for which a paycheck is just a bonus! (albeit not as big a bonus as everyone might wish). __________________ F R E E E E E E D O O O M M M M! -->

03-22-2006, 09:52 AM	#2
Marlin TFF Admin Staff Chief Counselor Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: At SouthernMoss' side forever! Contributor Posts: 13,854	Re: The Blue Angels have returned to Pensacola They are the greatest, HPK. You are fortunate to have that wonderful exposure. __________________ *The flag represents a living country and is itself considered a living thing.* *The only criminal class native to the United States is Congress.*

03-22-2006, 10:16 AM	#3
SouthernMoss Admin Tech Staff Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: SW MS Contributor Posts: 10,651	Re: The Blue Angels have returned to Pensacola Marlin and I watched a series of specials about the Blue Angels not too long ago on the Military channel. Talk about complete trust! Except for the leader, the pilots don't look ahead; rather, they watch the wing of their neighbor. And the leader "leads" them with the cadence of his voice. And when Fat Albert takes off with those rocket boosters ... We're hoping to get to a show sometime later this year. __________________ My Second protects your First "I declare to you that woman must not depend upon the protection of man, but must be taught to protect herself, and there I take my stand." - Susan B Anthony

03-22-2006, 02:47 PM	#4
candr44 Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Posts: 12	Re: The Blue Angels have returned to Pensacola I use to watch the Blue Angels and the Thunder Birds every year where I use to work. I worked right outside MacDill AFB in Tampa at the end of the runway. It was pretty cool watching them fly upside down just obove the tree tops and right over my head. I could have reconized the pilot if he didn't have a mask and helmet on. I use to see the F-16s every day when they had them at MacDill. It was neat to watch them just lift off the ground and point straight up and climb like a rocket. They would also turn so sharp and slow that you would swear they were going to drop out of the sky.

03-22-2006, 03:23 PM	#5
22WRF Advanced Senior Member Join Date: May 2004 Location: Pea Ridge, FL Contributor Posts: 4,271	Re: The Blue Angels have returned to Pensacola I just got back from NAS and didn't get to see them Maybe they were taking a nap __________________ NRA GOA CCRKBA Happiness is a warm barrel

03-22-2006, 03:59 PM	#6
Meplat V.I.P. Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Posts: 84	Re: The Blue Angels have returned to Pensacola My uncle (Mom's brother) was one of the 29 Thunderbirds killed enroute to a show over Idaho in 1956. These people still treat my Mom and her family like royalty when they have an airshow anywhere near. Since Mom can't walk any distance at all (drunken driver fixed her up but good twenty years ago) she called them about seeing if any arrangements could be made to allow her to have access to the show. They not only provided for access, but sent us VIP passes that allowed us, as the guy at the gate said, "To park anywhere you want...park in the hangar if that's where your wheels stop." Exagerrating a bit, but not much. It was too late for them to send out VIP passes, so they had one of their pilots fly them in with him to the show. I went to pick them up at the hotel where they were lodging, expecting them (the passes) to be waiting at the lobby desk. My son (seven at the time) had ridden along with me. It came as some surprise when not just the pilot who had brought the tickets came down, but the entire flight crew as well. They all wanted to meet us. It came as quite a shock. It also left one youngster with a memory that will last a lifetime. At the show itself, one of the pilots took my son on an "inside tour" of the machines they used, and treated him with deference I would never have expected. Class group of people to say the least. I'm sure the Angels measure up in every way as well. That hot dog stuff of Hollywood is pure crapola. These gentlemen have worked long and hard to get to the point they are at, and are all professional to the hilt. It's a program few can master. My nephew flies an A-10, and will spit on the ground in disgust if anyone should mention "Top Gun" in his presence. I have been to many air shows where both the Thunderbirds and the Blue Angels have performed, and can never watch them without a lump forming in my throat at the sacrifices these men have made to be where they are at, and the further sacrifices they are willing to make for all of us at a moments notice. Yeah...I love that sound too.

03-22-2006, 04:28 PM	#7
SouthernMoss Admin Tech Staff Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: SW MS Contributor Posts: 10,651	Re: The Blue Angels have returned to Pensacola Meplat, that's a great story; thanks for sharing it with us. It is exactly the type of conduct I would expect from these men. They are truly awesome. __________________ My Second protects your First "I declare to you that woman must not depend upon the protection of man, but must be taught to protect herself, and there I take my stand." - Susan B Anthony

03-22-2006, 06:52 PM	#8
Nortranman V.I.P. Member Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Northwest Posts: 197	Re: The Blue Angels have returned to Pensacola Having been fortunate enough to spend a tour in the Navy then a tour in the Air Force I have seen both teams a number of times. I was in crash rescue in the air force and those guys really made me nervous when they were performing at our base. Real class, real professionals.