Everything You Didn't Know About The Blue Angels
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 6 ก.พ. 2025
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In this episode, Ward talks about his flight with the Blue Angels, what it takes to make the team, and the transition from the F/A-18C to the F/A-18F Super Hornet.
Without warning the team suddenly pushes back from the conference table and lowers their chairs. Each pilot hunches over, gripping an imaginary stick with his right hand and throttle with his left. Their heads tilt in the same directions they’ll face while flying close formation during the flight. Their eyes narrow in what looks to be a Zen-like trance as the Boss goes through his radio cadence. “Up . . . we . . . go,” the Boss chants. “A . . . little . . . more . . . pull. Easing . . . power. Easing . . . more . . . power. A . . . little . . . pull. Rolling out.” The atmosphere is generally like that of a church congregation at prayer with the Boss playing the role of priest. Then suddenly the team comes out of the trance, pops up in their chairs, and moves back to the table. After reviewing the next maneuvers in the show sequence, they push back once again and go back into the role playing - the Zen state - as the Boss again sings his radio commands. The brief ends with other members of the Team briefing items required by their secondary roles. The supply officer briefs the weather. The maintenance officer briefs the field conditions and which runway they’ll most likely use for takeoff. And just like a regular fleet squadron, the pilots review an “emergency procedure of the day” and any other safety of flight items that might be germane. The main brief ends and the support staff along with the C-130 “Fat Albert” crew files out, but only after shaking each pilot’s hand. One can sense that these traditions aren’t arbitrary. They underwrite the intangibles that surround the Blue Angels’ mission, one that’s not reckless but inherently hazardous nonetheless. After a short van ride from the hangar to the flight line, the Blue Angels march over to man up, peeling off in front of their respective jets in a 90-degree pivot at each Hornet’s nose. Each gets in without a lot of fanfare. The pilots apply electrical power to their jets, and after a quick radio check the canopies come down. They taxi to the duty runway in numerical order, waving and giving the thumbs up to the enthusiastic crowd as they pass. Soon they’re in position for takeoff. The Boss calls over the radio: “Let’s run ’em up . . . smoke, on . . . off brakes now . . . burners ready now . . .” and 1 through 4 are on their way down the runway. They’re barely off the ground when No. 4 slides from the right wing into the slot as the four airplanes simultaneously raise their landing gear.
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As a former Blue Angel Crew Chief 96-99 this brief is "spot on". It was incredibly hard work, but the most rewarding job I did in my 28 year career!
Thanks for being here, Rick!
Thanks for the work you did! I only got to see them fly once at the airshow in Whidbey Island, Washington state once in 98 when I was 16 and it has always stuck with me. I haven't seen them since then but I've spent a career working on carriers and subs so that show has always stuck with me.
Thank you Rick! I've been watching the current team practice for the past 2 days in Jacksonville and am about to go see the real show in a couple hours. Thank you for your service!
I was there with Rick, and we call him “Boz.”
@@RolandF1822
One of Mooch’s “well, what else are we gonna call him?” callsigns.
I grew up seeing the Blue Angels practice over my house in Pensacola. I recently moved back for a job after college and had a moment where I was driving to my first day of work and one of the Blue Angels appeared right above me, going straight in the direction I was driving to my new job. It felt like a “welcome home” and a sort of “sign” that I was in the right place. Great video!! Love the Blues.
"Amateurs practice until they get it right. Professionls practice until they can't get it wrong". This is 100% on point with the Blue Angels and the Thunder Birds.
Like it.
Very well said
The saying in music is practice makes permanent, perfect practice makes perfect.
Facts
Same with Nick Saban’s team.
Thank you Ward for yet another wonderful presentation. You’re a great storyteller. Years ago, at high school I was one of four lucky young Royal Australian Air Force cadets selected for a flight in Macchi jet fighter trainers participating in a two and two dogfight exercise. Of course we had g-suits and thank God for that as we reached approximately 7.5 g’s. I was a very fit young guy and dealt with the g’s just fine but how the Blue Angels deal with those forces without a suit impresses the heck out of me! Once again, thanks for your great presentation.
I always chuckle at Brian Shul's account of flying in the back seat with the Blue Angels. When back on the ground Brian told his pilot "I don't scare easy, but you scared me twice during that flight". Blue Angel response "Don't feel bad, I scared myself at least three times". Another great video Ward.
“Stop screaming. I’m scared too”
It's great listening to 'Slead Driver' describe his experience, and to see his pictures, but this presentation of the squadrons inside story is fantastic.
I'd give a years salary to go up...with either group.
@@t.g.lawsoniii8520 I can relate.....
That’s says Ali considering Maj Shul was handled the lady with the long black dress.
Ward.former Navy carrier sailor VA-113 Stinger.
My wife and I love your stories
Thank you
My team and I have been busy since late 2019, converting fleet Supers into demonstration aircraft for the Blue Angels squadron. We delivered most of what they have currently, in 2020, so they could begin to transition as soon as possible. We did the modification work and concurrent Val-Ver engineering. Then, we transported each ship across town to NAS Jax for its world famous livery. Then the jets get back to us at Cecil, and we process the jet through final mod/production processes, ramp ops, turn up, check out, check flights and deliveries. It's been an honor to present the Navy with the final Super Blue Angel product they fly today. Semper Fi.
Great work, Carl.
Hi Carl, that is a fantastic comment and really interesting subject, could you expand on some of the other changes that are made when converting the aircraft from Fleet standard to the demonstration standard? IE what changes (if any) are done to avionics, mechanics, weapons (is the gun removed/disabled, hard points, external tanks, etc)? Thank you for your service.
do they remove the radars?
@@ashokiimc I can tell you with the Thunderbirds the radars are all intact but the gun is removed and in its place is the mechanism needed to make smoke. The gun can be replaced in the F16 within a couple of hours and all of the other systems are intact. The hardest and most time consuming part of converting it back to combat status would be the paint job. Everything else is still there. I would assume it is a similar story with the Blue Angels.
Carl.....can you confirm any of the stories that one or two of the team's new jets, were in the new Top Gun movie?
Having taught a class at Elgin for the required altitude chamber training for our Thunderbirds this really enlightened my lack of knowledge that both teams go through.I never missed a July 4th demo at Coney Island during the 70's,we would go up on my wife's apartment building on Ave X which they would line-up on for the solo flt.The Jet would fly right by us at 28 stories high and always waved and smiled.I get tears at age 77 still seeing that in my minds eye.Thankyou Mr.Carroll.
I get to tell a war story! I'm a software test engineer and in the early 2000s my manager asked me to interview a guy who had been a BA ground crew member - he was the camera operator. My manager wasn't going to hire him because he didn't have the computer skills but he wanted a second opinion. I talked to the guy, came out of the interview and said "Hire him. Software testing is half about attention to detail and half about computer skills. I can teach him the computer skills. You can't teach the quality part." He was a great hire who went on to become a team lead and then MY manager -- one of the best I ever had.
Smart move.
I work in software and I completely agree with you. Some of the best employees we’ve ever had were ones who came in from other industries. Even if someone is light on computer skills if they are heavy on critical thinking and attention to detail I will recommend hiring them. Those are qualities that you can’t really teach.
That worked out great
I can relate. My first job after 'retirement' was for a temp agency that wanted me because I was retired military. All my employers my second 20 years of work hired me because of my military background.
@@jerrydiver1 MI bump
As a former MARINE W0RK ON F4 B&J I WAS IN FROM 1967 TO 1976 I LOVE watching the BLUE ANGELS
The maintainers work their asses off. I've worked with the Avionics technicians on "Fat Albert" the Blue Angels' C-130. Their electrical schematics are hand-drawn.
Without those guys there's NO SHOW.
As an AE that is crazy to me.
@@gregmaupin8929 yup! AE's live out of pubs. I bet that's a mind bender especially if it's a system that is problem child.
What years did you work with the Fat Albert crew? I have been filming for Bert since 2008.
AE gang! whats up! 11A799
Many thanks for this channel. 54 y.o. private pilot and Annapolis native here. Great story telling. 👍
First saw the Blues in 1960 in F-11s and fell in love with aviation. Decided then and there to go for an aeronautical engineering degree and fly Naval fighter jets. Then at age 12 was diagnosed with 20/240 vision and that ended my dream. Have seen the Blues and T-Birds in every aircraft type several times since then. I’m 67 years old now, but turn back into a 6-year old every time I see them! Great channel, Sir! Cheers from Ohio, John
I had a similar thing happen! I grew up in Pensacola and dreamed of becoming a Navy pilot. It didn’t work out, but I’m back in Pensacola and get to see them fly during practice every week. Kind of makes up for it a little bit. :)
@@beccahampton6798 I’m jealous! 😉
I can't compliment Ward Caroll enough, his knowledge, coupled with the dignity of his delivery, is really enjoyable.
Every resume ever submitted: "Detail Oriented"
Blue Angels: "That's cute."
Brief fly debrief brief fly debrief......have heard many former Blues describe their tour with the team as hands down the most intense and difficult flying of their careers. The dedication to precision and excellence in every facet is forefront in their minds at all times. I have always been in absolute awe of the sheer endurance and discipline these men all present.
I would think all that chair flying is to help hammer it all into their minds as well as muscle memory. I could never do anything that intense or, that requires that level of consentration. Those guys are the best of the best.
I'm from Pensacola, a Navy baby as a matter of fact. My father was on an aircraft carrier at the beginning of Vietnam. I was born when he was on that carrier in 1965.
We in Pensacola are very proud of our Blue Angels. Their air shows are spectacular.
Pensacola is a fantastic place, Sherry. Thanks for supporting the Team.
I was lucky enough to see the Blue Angles back in 1971 or 1972 at MCAS Yuma, they flew A-6’s and it was a very special show for me and all the service men at MCAS Yuma. Awesome show and thanks for your service for us. Semper Fi
Blue Angel Crew Chief (2003-2006).
Such a unique opportunity as an enlisted crew member and it motivated me to become a pilot. I served and flew in the backseat with LCDR “Kojack” Davis the year before he passed. Such great memories.
th-cam.com/video/O_lZZdGw88g/w-d-xo.html
Born on Pensacola NAS so lifelong BA fan. First show I saw was 1968 at Pt Mugu, about 1968 when they were still in the F11's. #6 solo took off and proceeded to perform the Dirty Roll but barely got back to wings level when the aircraft slammed into the runway hard enough to deploy the arresting hook. He took back off like it was a planned event (MP standing next to us announced that we just about saw someone "buy the farm") and flew around for several minutes while #5 inspected the jet close up. The team ended up completing the show, #6 with the tailhook deployed the whole time. Never missed a beat. Never will forget it.
Mooch ... as a Luftwaffe F-4 F WSO i am still wearing my Wings of Gold with pride everyday on duty and I am enjoying all your videos here cause they are bringing back all the memories of the Great times I had @ NAS Pensacola with the US NAVY and all the Hours in the Jet there after...keep it coming .... FLY NAVY ,THX and Horrido....from Germany
Mike „FRAU“ Broker
I thought you guys got all your training at Sheppard AFB in Texas? I'm curious if you ever had a chance to fight any Fulcrums back home?
@@pwr2al4 all the Luftwaffe Pilots are trained @ Sheppard AFB. But since 1994 all the WSOs are trained @ NAS Pensacola…there is even a German SQ there the 2 nd German Airforce Training SQ. And yes I did get a Chance against the MIG 29…but only a couple of sorties…mostly 2vs 1….the FW 73 had 2 SQ back then …one with MiG and one with the F 4 and those guys could tell you more about it. I was with FW 74 @ Neuburg and we did not get to go fly @ Laage that often.
Michael, I was stationed at Zweibrucken back in the day and loved my 3 yr tour flying over your beautiful countryside.
As a former F15 maintainer I really enjoy all of your videos. You are a great storyteller.
How cool was this. Your Navy and author cred allowed you to do something that hardly anyone is able to. Great video as usual.
Very interesting! I just sent this to my son who is in his first year with the Blue Angels. What a superior group.
Fascinating! I've never heard the Blue Angels routine broken down in that kind of detail. Much respect for outstanding airmen!!! Thanks!
Hey, Carrol, Col "more ice" here. Brazilian Air Force F-5EM pilot. Congrats on your nice YT channel. Thank you!
As a 6 year old, 1947 I was able to see the Blues in their Hellcats Next time in their Phantoms. I was on the Lexington at Pensacola and used to seed them every day our of Sherman Field.
Civilian here. I absolutely love the description of focus on precision, perfection, and teamwork. That’s how to get things done. If everything worked like this, we wouldn’t have any problems in society.
Fascinating Story Ward.. Incidentally, I met Capt. McWherter at the Naval Air Museum in Pensacola at the 2012 homecoming. My mom and I showed up just as the museum opened, We were the ONLY ones in there, and in the back, under the 4 Skyhawk display, was the Blues going through their practice retirement ceremony. Greg was retiring that day. We watched the practice ceremony. Afterward, Greg came over to mom and me and spent a good time talking with us about flying and the Navy, etc. I'm an instructor Pilot and I told him there was no way I could fly like them, he said "sure you could, just takes a lot of practice" I thought that was a very caring and understanding response to me... He was a super cool guy to talk to, very personable, and an awesome guy.
Soooooooo ILS did you become a Navy pilot?
@LEO The Laughing Leo Well he didn't seem to have started some of the the unacceptable behaviours of some of it's pilots. Only tolerated them. But's that fine as a Commander he has to take the blame about it.
@LEO The Laughing Leo ugh, gross - to be in that position, so hard earned, and to disrespect it in such a way. Lame.
@@12345fowler Sadly, he was the one that started it according to the report released by the Navy. 3-4 of the pilots went along with it, but the rest including the enlisteds on the team were not comfortable with what he was doing. The others were the ones that reported him after they told all of them to stop. Him and these 3-4 pilots wouldn’t and that’s what got him into trouble. Originally they were going to remove him and these other pilots, but that would’ve involved canceling the entire season and leaving no other pilots to train their replacements. Usually they would call up other pilots from previous seasons, but they were all unavailable. They first punished McWherter and then sometime after the other 3-4 pilots finished their stints, they were also reprimanded as well. One of my classmates was on the Blue Angels team too when all of that went down and he also fed me bits and pieces of what happened as well. The crazy part is, he was not like that in his previous commands or the 1st time he was with the blue’s. It wasn’t until he came back to replace Captain Koss that he started that mess.
I have see the Blue Angels and Thunderbirds before at Millington, Tennessee airshows but the one we saw May 2, 2024 at Pensacola Air Station really got to me. Maybe it was because we had just come out of the museum and recognized the courage and skill needed to fly any type of plane, much less the Super Hornet. Maybe it's just because I'm 76 years old now and having been in the military for three years back in the day I can appreciate just a tiny, tiny bit what these aviators have achieved. But when they made that first flyby and climb straight up into the heavens I suddenly got quite emotional and welled up with tears. Quite unexpected and that had never happened before. I was suddenly so proud to be part of a country that could produce such aircraft and the men and women to fly them. Thank you sir for giving us an insight to their ability.
Hi Ward!!! I was 13ys old and visiting my grandparents in Kelowna BC. They lived about a mile and a half from the airport. The day before the show, they flew right over the house and about 45 sec later I heard big boom!!!! I thought one of the planes had crashed. I went into town with my grandfather that evening and saw the carnage downtown. Whole blocks were windowless. Someone wrote on one of the boarded up windows “Roses are red violets are blue these are not angels, they’re Satan’s crew” I remember it like it was yesterday
Thanks for that memory, Dave.
This is the third video of yours that I’ve seen TODAY. It’s a great channel and the fact that you have Beatles and Zep posters in the background make you all the more cool. Keep it up, Mooch!
They fly over our house multiple times during their routine each summer when they are in Seattle. Always awesome.
PacNW guy!! I live in Southwest Washington state and when the Blue Angels fly at the Oregon International Air show I make sure and clear my schedule to be there. This year the Thunderbirds are featured and they moved it to McMinnville which is a much longer drive, so I probably won't go. But I've seen the Blue's a half dozen times at the Hillsboro air field and they were outstanding. Maybe I'm bias. My dad flew off Aircraft Carriers in WWII in the South Pacific.
The only problem with the Seafair show is we can't watch the march out, take off part of the show and the air show. Nor can we see a Fat Albert JATO take off. Really adds to the show, got to see the full show at MCAS El Toro in the 90's. It's more impressive that way.
Very true about the Seafair show. I’ve only ever seen the March out at Boeing Field on tv before running out to climb the ladder to my roof.
I lived in Georgetown right at Boeing field for 10 years. My favorite time of year was Seafair because of the Blue Angels and getting to watch them take off and land at the field. Most everyone in the neighborhood hated it but not me! Just the best to see those jets! (Seeing Air Force One fly in was always cool too!)
❤️✈️❤️✈️❤️✈️❤️✈️❤️✈️❤️✈️❤️
Just about to see the Blue Angels on IMAX and this 2 year old video came up. Man I'm thankful it did! Ward you really rock, figuratively and literally. Aviation nerd here and simulator pilot and even have a 'Blue Angels' watch!
Great insight into the work of “Demonstration Teams” Here in the UK, as you know we have the Red Arrows, a squadron we are very proud of as you are of the Blue Angels. Incredibly talented and dedicated aviators all. Here’s to a successful and safe season for both teams 👍 So glad that you got your ride Ward, richly deserved and well earned. “Swapping paint is a bad thing” understatement of the year 😂
Funny story about the Red Arrows. I was based at RAF Upper Heyford during the 70's and they were going to perform for our air show that weekend so they were practicing. And one landed and promptly ran out of gas on the taxiway. I wouldn't have known it happened but I worked in the weather shack on the catwalk so I spent most of my time inside the tower during good weather.
@@mikeyoung9810 cutting it fine then 🙂
Is swapping paint really a thing?
I don’t even like cars next to me.
Dammit CDR Carroll, I can't stop watching your videos. They keep getting better and better.
A lot of great information. I've seen video of the "Chair" flight. To me it almost aa impressive as the show itself. I also enjoyed how healthy these guys' egos are. Plenty of confidence, but not a shred of arrogance. Saw an interview once where one of was ask if he thought he was one of the Navy's best fighter pilots. He said "No, I think there are guys in the fleet that are a lot better than I am."
Blue Angels brief/debrief evolutions and trance state you described is actually presented in the video "Round the World at the Speed of Sound" - produced by Rob Stone Productions highlighting the Blues European Tour, Summer of '92, and most interesting is their sharing rides in aircraft with Russian military pilots over Moscow. The narrator of this documentary is actor Dennis Quaid! #gladtobehere!
@@edwardcarroll4584 "Gucci" has taken the phrase #gladtobehere to a higher elevation! I was the lead organizer for the Blues first stop on the Euro tour - Stockholm, Sweden. I served as the AALUSNA at the DAO; met John and all the squadron - yes, he is a good guy!
Whenever you get your DCS setup running, I would love to see you make a video with Mover in your respective aircraft. Just talking and comparing the changes in fighting tactics, radar usage, advantages of having a RIO (Mover likes to joke about RIO’s just being a passenger), etc., would be really cool. I think you guys could create some really sweet content together.
Big Blue Angel Fan here ! My brother and I just saw the New BLUE ANGEL IMAX Movie in Panama City Beach Monday afternoon May, 20th 2024.... It was FANTASTIC ! All BLUE ANGEL fans will enjoy this one !!!!!
after a show i asked one of the pilots or ground crew why a tail number was upside down- "because that one spends most of its time upside down" -makes sense lol
Ward...... youve lived an amazing life.....thank you for serving...... thank you for sharing sir........
I've seen the Blue Angels 11 times since 1990 and I'm always impressed by every aspect of their show. Your description of how and why they do what they do was wonderful. Their dedication to absolute perfection is legendary. Great edition of your show Ward.
I am not a pilot, and I am certainly not a naval aviator. Actually I have no military background at all. I simply manage a plumbing company in the Dallas Ft.Worth area. I am however an aviation enthusiast who enjoys your content and stories. I have followed your channel for quite sometime and have yet to be disappointed. I imagine it’s Difficult to put into words the work and effort the Blue Angels put into their routines, but you do a damn good job of shedding light on an awesome group of aviators. I appreciate your service, and job well done on the video content sir. 👍
Growing up in Pensacola and my Dad being in the Navy. I’ve seen The Blue’s a million times and it never gets old. To be able to fly a routine during a practice is something I can only dream of. Awesome hearing your experience!
I'm from Pensacola and also a Navy baby.
The Blue Angels are awesome.
I am from Pensacola and remember she the three pilots were lost at the same time. Really sad time any time their is a lost. No longer in Pensacola see the Angels any chance I get
I always love when the Mids graduate cuz the blues show up. Born and raised in Nap town. I remember when they switched from the A-4's to the F-18's in 86. I like going to Bay Ridge along the Severn River and watching them. And yes they are very loud.
Thanks for recognizing the maintainers!!!
Semper Fixit.
From a former AF aircraft maintenance officer - Well Done!
Had a buddy who was an A-6 B/N, and one of his pilots, Larry "Fudge" Packer transitioned to F-18s and became a Blue Angel. Saw the Blues several times when Fudge was on the team, including once in El Paso, which was just after the 1992 European tour documented in the video Around the World at the Speed of Sound, narrated by Dennis Quaid. One time we were coming back from lunch and saw a blue jet on the flight line at Peterson AFB. It was #2, Fudge's jet. He'd had a problem and had to divert. Got an up close look at his jet, unfortunately pre-cell phone camera days :(. When Fat Albert landed, we took Fudge and the C-130 flight crew back to the Mexican restaurant we had been to for lunch. Great time was had by all! To all the past, present and future members of the squadron, keep the blue jets flying!
That’s the funniest callsign I’ve heard to date.
@@sjl-s7q In the video Around the World at the Speed of Sound. they list everyone else's call sign but his. However, there is a scene where they're de-briefing after a flight, which they do in order. The "Boss" finishes and says "How about you Fudge?"
Larry was one of the few of the Blues that brought his wife along on the '92 Euro Tour. Unfortunately, I don't recall her name. My wife and Larry's got along real well; making their Stockholm visit that much more enjoyable.
@@Nescit_Occasum Those were good times Jeff. Hope all is well. Kinda strange reading a story about myself.
I recall watching in awe at Toronto Island Airshows in the 60’s the Angels flying F4s. Their sound shook the ground and the air crackled in their wake.
Thanks for this break down shipmate. I’m an old A-7E maintainer.
There are many things I don't miss about Virginia Beach, but the one thing I do miss was the opportunity to see the Blue Angels do their routines from my apartment (was under the Touch and Go flight path) when I was too sick to go to the show, which was frequently. They are absolutely magnificent. Thank you all for your service.
I work as a line guy at klse and we are hosting the Blues this weekend, cannot wait to host the best in aviation. Great video Ward!
Saw it at Loveland for the first time in 16 years. So amazing!!! Thank you for all the great info😊
The Blues flew for my birthday party when I turned 7. My Dad was the CO of VT-7 in Meridian, and "arranged" the show for me and my classmates.
I remember that show. Was there with my Grandpa.
I recognize that last name. Your dad was skipper when I was going through advanced jet in 1978.
airandspace.si.edu/support/wall-of-honor/cdr-david-l-roark-usn-ret
@@rockriver2652 I remember your Dad. We were NAVCADS together. Great guy!
I had three buddies who did BA demo pilot tours in A-4’s (I’m old) and from what they told me, you are absolutely spot on. One told me his first flight in a blue jet was a little disappointing: he walked up to a shiny spotless jet, climbed the ladder, sat down to bask in the moment, and then realized once in the cockpit, that inside it was just another beat up old A-4!
Love your guitar collection, Marshall stack, and Beatles posters. You have fine taste!
As an Air Traffic Controller in Pensacola, 1984-86, I saw the show every Wednesday in the off season. We would see them fly over the main gate at 400 knots, tree top level, breath taking every time. It never got old.
I remember one shift on a Wednesday during Blues practice we got a call from Pensacola approach control, they had a life flight they had to get to the Lexington, the training carrier parked at Pcola. Apparently a tug mooring the big ship was sinking, taking on water. I remember the local controller, tower controller got on on emergency radio and hit the Blues up with the news. We had found the freq the Blues operated on and would listen in the tower to the show. This was a big no no and would get shut off if the chief was coming up the stairs to the tower. Well my tower local controller waited until the planes were not in a maneuver before transmitting to them about the inbound life flight. They never replied, they changed freques, and somebody got called on the carpet to answer to why we were interrupting the FDT during a practice.
One Sunday the Blues were coming home from Niagra falls, we had lost 2 planes that weekend. I remember the weight all of us felt knowing what the team had just went through. We put the freq on speaker and all listened once they checked in. It was a very somber, sad moment. That event really put into perspective on just how much the Blue Angel pilots put on the line at work......Everything.
We would see the members of the team in town from time to time, in the bars. Always like rock stars if they were in uniform with their blue team jackets with gold lettering, pretty slick. One last thing I remember was they were always getting into trouble with the FAA. I would hear stories of them violating airspace and pissing people off. One story was the power lines were cut, and the cables were reported to have Blue paint on them.
AC3...
My dad was a civilian radio and scanner expert in the 1970s and 1980s. He would take us to Blue Angels shows in Pensacola and other places and monitor their radio frequencies from radios in his suv which was covered in antennas.The blue angel pilots would say random dirty jokes ,filthy poetry and weird stuff while they were waiting to take off it was funny. Most of the time they would say "smoke on ready now" or other boring stuff like that while flying
@@rbeck3200tb40 Little more pull......Smoke Off....
Great video than you for putting it together. I had the privilege of being the only enlisted sailor selected from the Naval Reserve to work public relations for the 1992 Great State of Maine airshow. Fun story on how I got this duty as an FC3 that I will not go into. But, I was personally invited back the following year by the PAO for Brunswick Naval Air station 🙂so I guess I did alright. I did get to meet the Blues and was allowed to sit in on the preflight briefing for the 3 media hops LCDR Dave Stewart was flying. His crew chief conducted the briefing and it was very concise and informative. I met a lot of the maintenance team as well and the entire squadron was so genuine in being an ambassador for Naval aviation.
Ward, I'm a massive fan of both the Blues and the Birds, both are amazing teams.
You are one lucky guy to be able to not only fly with the Blues, but to fly as part of the main demonstration.
Your stories are always incredible.
Bravo Zulu, sir.
Keep up the good work.
I saw the Blue Angels a number of times when I was young. I was a wingnut like most young boys are, and have been to a lot of air shows growing up in san jose, with Moffett Field nearby. From the moment I saw my first Blue Angels show, even at 5 or 6 years old, I knew they were something very very different from every other air show team. They've always lived on this higher echelon, thank you for going into detail about their briefing and debriefing methods, it confirms everything I always assumed about them. You can just see it in their performance, they are just different, they are tighter, they fly formation much closer, they are precise to an almost inhuman level, from their timing, to their maneuvering, there's never a correction, they do it perfectly every time. It's incredible.
Also, WOW YOU GOT TO FLY A SHOW WITH THEM THATS INSANE!
As an aircraft enthusiast and not from the US, it's fascinating to watch these very informative videos. Mooch does a great job. Thank you
Such a great video. THANK YOU very much for taking the time to make this. We just got home from front seats. We were joking around about how NO BAD ATTITUDES were probably allowed, and you had to cast out any demonic thinking. THIS SHOWS FOR THE GLORY OF GOD, WITH DIVINE UNITY!!
Great background on the Blues. I was fortunate to have my last reenlistment with the Blue Angels when they came out for Seafair in Seattle. I had the great joy and honor of flying on Fat Albert during his part of the show. Quite the memory. ISC(AW) (ret.)
This was one of my favorite of your videos.
Back in 1987, I was a Jet Mechanic in VMA-214 Blacksheep squadron stationed in Yuma Az. (A_4's) I was in ElCentro working on one of our cross country aircraft. Meanwhile the blue angels were practicing. All of the sudden, all the crash crew Fire trucks passed me on the flight-line, leaving the base. Later I found out, the "Blue Angels" had lost an aircraft, but fortunately the pilot ejected safely. A very strange feeling waiting to hear the news.
Super informative! I remember the pride I felt seeing these beautiful hornets screech across Pensacola beach when I was in flight school. Totally inspiring
Luckyyy
We recently attended Duluth Air Show 2023. And, as in past shows we've attended over the years, it was top-flight in every possible way. As a former Air Force C-130 mechanic I should be partial to The Thunderbirds. But there's no denying that the Blue Angels, in my opinion, are the best-of-the-best. We'd walk on hot coals and broken glass - almost - to watch them fly. Thank you gentleman, and ladies, for your service!
Just saw the Blue Angels from my house. I live close to MCAS Miramar. Seeing them fly by my neighborhood is lovely. 💙💛💙💛💙💛
Thank god for Admiral Nimitz. Little would he ever know how much delight and Goodwill these Angels would bring.
Ward, I love how you tell the story of pulling every string possible to get a ride of a life time under the guise of helping the squadron. Obviously, youre helping us understand what they do better than Troy McGamday WKTV Sportscaster can, but it is entertaining that you got a ride that way. Great Job BTW, Id do the same thing
Always been a huge fan of the Blue Angles. What an amazing thing to hear how they practically get themselves into a trance when briefing, and "tell on themselves" when debriefing. What incredible focus and dedication! To be THAT competent, and simultaneously THAT humble at the same time - it's just as impressive as the show itself, imo.
So Psyched, just ordered my Airshow Tickets for Loveland, CO in 2 weeks. Can't wait to see the new Supers in action! Thanks for another great video!
Wow! Just wow! Great video. 😍😊 My husband and I, both Retired Army, have gone to the show at NAS Oceana every year since 1998 except for the furlough year and the last 2 years when COVID closed it down. Our daughter was in 1st grade for the first show and she just turned 31 this month. Time sure does fly. I hope the BAs fly here this summer!
This was a very interesting episode. The Annapolis show is a favorite. Watching the water vapor condense as one flies under the Severn River bridge is a must see.
I too got my start at Jacksonville NAS, FL. I was born there in '62 when my dad was an AE instructor there. I had seen many Blue Angels demonstration shows until my dad retired in '76 as the Leading Chief of VA105. I can't remember exactly what year in the early 90's I was working security at the hotel the Blue Angels Team was staying at for their NAS Jax show weekend. While at the Saturday show I bought a B/A t-shirt. I went to the hotel after the show and placed a sheet of cardboard inside the shirt, found a permanent black marker, a asked the front clerk to ask every member of the team to sign the shirt as a gift to my mother, a devoted Navy wife (now widow to her second career Navy husband). With absolute pride, even as an Army Vet at that time, every member of that team signed the shirt with their position within team. That shirt is now fitted with a cardboard insert, starched, and hanging vacuum sealed so that both sides can be read.
I have had the privilege of living directly across the water from the US Naval Academy almost my entire life, and it continues to be an enthralling and wonderful show every single time.
My first time seeing the Blue Angels was at the Naval Academy. An amazing show that lit the fire of aviation inside me. Saw the Blues at the Academy last week and there's nothing like 12 afterburners shedding the air perfectly synchronized!
Totally recognized the footage at the end of this video was from the Naval Academy 📸
I lived just south of Annapolis in the 1970s and was fortunate enough to watch the Blue Angels Naval Academy graduation show from my boat while anchored in the Severn River. They flew right overhead - I didn't know whether to duck or wave. An incredibly memorable experience. Really enjoyed your video.
Nice job, Ward. Long time since we cruised together. Good to see you're still writing and involved with Naval Aviation. Fly Navy, the best always have! JC
If you have a Naval Aviator you have a Sailor with Flight Wings; if you have a Naval Aviator Plus, you have a Marine Aviator with Flight Wings!
Oooh Raaah!
Very fascinating! Growing up in a NW Chicago suburb, my parents took my brother and I to see the Blue Angels at the Glenview Naval Airstation, NAS which closed down in 1995. This was either 1969 or 1970. I was 11 years old. They were flying the F4 Phantom. Loud as hell but I loved it. I watched most of the show with a finger in each ear. The highlight of my day was they had parked a static Phantom with an air-stair and one by one, each person in line got to sit for a very short minute in the cockpit. What a thrill and great end to my day.
The Blue Angels always put on a fantastic show! I've seen them a number of times in airshows throughout the years.
HI, Just wanted to thank you for this vid. I was on the team (AD, crew chief and Front man) from June 88 thru Jan 92. Your vid brought back memories of my time on the team. I had the pleasure of flying cross country in the back seat of No. 7 after performing some repairs on the aircraft, I also won the year end drawing and flew back seat in the slot at our final home show.
Thanks again for the memories
Duane Conger II - USN Ret.
I just finished finished Punk's War. Good story, very well written. Having watch several of your videos, it helped with terminology and getting the feel of procedures and equipment. "Almost" felt like I was in the cockpit. Interesting perspective on humanizing these incredibly skilled people and the jerks getting in their way.
Ward, well done. My last Navy assignment was NAF El Centro from 1998-2001, so I got to watch the team building four times. You know they’re good, but I had no idea the extraordinary dedication, effort, and professionalism that is involved. You’ve done an incredible job summarizing their challenges and all it takes to make a show look so perfect.
They flew Jim Belushi at El Centro and Belushi showed the video of his flight on Letterman. Letterman couldn’t draw a breath he was laughing so hard.
I believe that I was witness to a very unique Blue Angels show. The show took place at Nellis Air Force Base on Armed Forces Day back in 1965. The base held an open house and invited the Golden Knights, Blue Angels, and the Thunder Birds. I am sure that each team wanted to put on their best show. As the four ship Blue Angels formation took off, the slot man slid into his slot position. His timing must have been a little off, because as he slid into position, he drug his tail on the runway. The announcer stopped talking in mid sentence. Back in those days solo 1 would raise his gear after take off and do an aileron roll as he climbed out. I believe solo 1 must have chopped his throttle for a second or two to be sure that no one was going to abort the take off. No one aborted, so he continued his take off. He raised his gear and began the aileron roll, but he was going too slow. He wobbled through the roll and rolled way past wings level. He was falling like a stone. By the time that he got his wings level and stopped falling, you could not see any light between the bottom of the plane and the run way. It was clearly a close call. After all of that, the announcer finally started talking again. He said that the Blue Angels were going out to do an in flight instrument check. I am sure they were going out to check the slot plane for damage and allow solo 1 to burn off some adrenaline. The rest of the show went off just like they always do. The Blue Angels are amazing.
I was on the USS Constellation (CV-64) and our CO at the time was Captain Rud, every time they came to San Diego, he let the ship have liberty to go to the show, it was always a great time!
Absolutely the BEST show you have done. How you break things down makes it very interesting and easy to follow. Thanks
Ward, love your channel and in particular, your piece on the Blues. I actually met Gil Rud (I think in 1988). My uncle, Fred Lentz, had been a squadron-mate of Gil's from attack days, and he invited may Dad and I to come out to China Lake for a Blue's show when my uncle was Chief Test pilot there. My Dad and I had diner with Gil and the Blues and what a thrill that was for both of us. The next day we watched the show from the flight line. Gil was a great guy and really gave my Dad and I a memorable experience...keep up the great work!!!
Mooch, Excellent presentation! Like you, I have been a Blue Angel's fan since I first saw them in 1981 as a 10 year old. This is the most in depth, first hand report of how the Blue Angels operate that I have ever seen. Well done!
Ward is at his best when talking to a pilot, or about piloting - his 'fucx yeah' smile.
Are all Rears pilot fanboys?😁
Absolutely thrilled to see the Thunderbirds and Blue Angels at the same show in a couple weeks. I've seen them countless times but never at the same show
They were both at Andrews AFB a number of years ago, and it rained the ENTIRE weekend! The Blues diamond took off, and immediately went into to clouds. Needless to say, they landed right away. Thunderbirds never went up… such a disappointing weekend!
I was giddy with joy watching the Blue Angels practice in our "back yard air space" today! This weekend they'll be in Loveland, CO, and viewing such talent is a full-body experience! Tears of joy filled my eyes as they flew past our neighborhood so low, so close, so loud, with such precision, such insane TALENT. I jumped onto TH-cam to find many wonderful videos, including yours, educating me on this team of pilots. I flew by myself when I was 5 years old, was a flight attendant for nearly 10 years, and have always been amazed with every single take-off - you could say I've had a love affair with flying my entire life. It's magical to me! Thank you for this wonderful video, of sharing your stories, and others. I'm so very sorry for the tragedies these teams have been through. Bless you all for putting yourselves through such testing, challenge, and dedication in order to show us the wonders of the sky...
It’s Saturday today and the Blue Angels have been doing “practice runs” around Loveland since Thursday. I live in Fort Collins and did my own practice run down to Loveland yesterday to see what kind of traffic issues I would face getting to a scheduled medical appointment today. All the way down to Loveland and back I was treated to an amazing free show. I ended up wondering whether they were really practicing or whether they were in fact intentionally providing free entertainment to attract support for their mission. At one point in particular it seemed they had picked an intersection where looky-lu traffic had backed up especially bad and they did a maneuver that was centered on that intersection.
Must be a real honour for every member of the team to represent something bigger than themselves and display the best the US Navy has to offer. Doubt I’ll ever get the chance to see them in my lifetime so really appreciate the upload and the details you’ve shared Sir. I’m just a washed up grunt but I’ve been invested in getting my son tutored so he might have the opportunity to fly for our military if he chooses. Stay safe mate.
Thanks for another great video. For those that are interested there was a video tape done from 16mm film called Threshold, the Blue Angels experience. Narrated by Leslie Neilsen, it was about the 1971 season when they were using F4's and the Boss was CMD. Harley Hall. Skip Umstead was flying number 5 that year. It's a good video and covers everything that Ward describes here. I bought my tape back in 1985 or so and treasure it now. Harley Hall was shot down at the end of the Vietnam war and was the last American POW presumed of the war. He bailed out and was observed running on the ground but has never been found. Such a tragic waste.
Growing up in Virginia Beach, the NAS Oceana air show was always one of the highlights of the year for a kid obsessed with aviation. The Blue Angels were obviously the best part! Okay I lied, the Tomcat demo was the best part.
I grew up in derby run late 80s to mid 90s noise pollution didn't apply to our trailer park and I loved it when that f14 would take off in full after burner our house shook I miss it alot man
Man, this got me all jazzed, memories of when they came to Tulsa in the mid to late '90s. They are a sight to see for sure, my Uncle was a Naval aviator and got me a die-cast Blue Angels F/A18, got me interested in them, told me about watching them practice when he was stationed in Pensacola. It also has reminded me, I gotta take my daughter and nephews next time they are in town or close by.
Austin used to have an event called Aerofest every year in association with Aquafest. Aerofest was held at the then Bergstrom AFB. My dad would always take us to see the Thunderbirds (flying F-4s at first and then later T-38s) at the event. Good times.
Tony Less was my skipper when he commanded VA-12. I was an AQ on the Weapons Verification team working on A7E Corsairs.
Th squadron had just transitioned from the A4. He was tough, but a fair man. Great pilot, and one of the nicest guys you'll ever meet. This was in the early seventies. Proud to have served with him.
Thanks for a great info clip on the Blue Angles Mooch, and thanks also for mentioning the maintainers and support pers, there simply wouldn't be a military air power of any sort without them... Best Rgds from NZ
I have been a fan of the Blue Angels from the very first time I saw them perform at a air show that was played on a Tv program about them. I have not had the fortune to witness them perform in person as of yet, but that is one of my dreams that I hope to accomplish before I leave this world! Two summers ago while visiting Myrtle Beach found the number 6 Blue Angle and brought it home as my souviner. Then for Christmas this past year I was given all six planes as a gift from my nephew, his wife and kid's. I can't tell you how happy and elated I was to receive such a gift! I love watching all types of aircraft as they fly over my home or where ever I am. I just come to a complete stop,frozen in time until they pass out of sight.I fractured my ankle once trying to get out of the house in order to see a helicopter fly over my sister's house, hasn't stopped me from still running to see what's going over when I hear that familiar sound that keeps calling to me when they fly over or in range of my hearing. I just LOVE Airplanes, Helicopters and Jet's!!!!
Ward, You are the aviation equivalent of Forest Gump! Loved the stories and the photos are priceless! Great info on the inner workings of the Blue Angels....
😂
I was doing the normal TH-cam rabbit hole which makes a couple of hours last a lot more. I started watching a Van Halen video which led me to the Van Halen Dreams video with the Blue Angels which led me to a video about the Blue Angels which led me to this video. I have watched the Blue Angels for years and always have thought that those guys are at the top of the list in flying. I didn't think that anyone could make the Blue Angels look better until I watched this video. I have to say you did an awesome job at detailing your experience and giving us an inside look into their history and jobs. I never get disappointed by your great videos. Thank you for sharing your expertise in anything about military planes.