Just wanted to drop a line and tell you that I LOVE all your BA interview videos. I can't get enough of them. I love the stories, I love the old archived footage, everything is done top notch. Please continuing doing this great work. I look forward to more interviews in the future.
Christopher Roberts Thanks, Christopher! Thanks for dropping a line and so glad to hear you’re enjoying the interviews. No doubt this is a special group of individuals and I feel privileged to share their stories. More to come!
Ryan, you made my day! I loved listening to Al talk about his tour with the Blues. I did a tour with the Blues (1975-1978) and served on the Maintenance Crew. I did talk to Al on several occasions while there. Al was a great pilot and from my point of view, one of the best at the slot position. I was always amazed how quickly Al moved into the slot on takeoff. I would like to thank Al for giving credit to the Maintenance Crew during his talk. Yes, the Blue Angels have the best pilots and the best Maintenance Crew to be found. Together, they put on a great air show.
Jerry, so glad you enjoyed this one. The jets don't fly without the maintenance team and the countless hours spent behind the scenes. Thanks again for your service!
I first saw the Blues fly as a teenager in 1975 and 1977 at NAS Moffett Field, CA (I still have the programs from both shows). So got to hear Al narrate in 75 and fly the slot in 77, and see the aircraft Jerry White and teammates kept in flawless shape. The Blues were a big factor in my decision to earn a Naval Officer commission via Navy ROTC at Purdue; downscreened for flight school due to vision so served in the surface fleet aboard USS FAHRION (FFG 22). As with the aviation community, the enlisted men and women are who make the surface Navy work. We had 14 officers and 170 enlisted; no way FFG 22 could function without them.
Best part of this interview was hearing how much respect he had for the Thunderbirds. Everybody always talks about which team is better but it’s neat to see the mutual respect they have going both ways.
I never cared which was “better,” is just that parochialism amongst the branches set it in stone that I, as former USN, have more affection over time for the Blue Angels, as would the USAF folks prefer the Thunderbirds.
Thank you so much for your service Al! My dad is from Brownsville also . He joined the Navy and never looked back . A lot of great people came from little old Brownville.
Proud to know he is from Brownsville in the Rio Grande Valley. Saw him and the Blues at the then CAF airshow in Harlingen, TX around Oct 1976 while in high school. Can't tell you how proud I felt that a local Hispanic was on the the Blue Angel's team performing back home.
Sir watching the F-4 Phantoms at Bergstom AFB in 1984 was instrumental in me going into the USAF in 1986. Thank you for your service. When I lived in Austin TX for a while. And watching the Navy Jets Fly at NAS Kingsville TX when I was young growing up in South TX.
Thank you for sharing another phenominal interview with the rest of us! The one common thread that runs throughout all of the interviews with these former BA pilots is how humble and grateful that they are to have been presented with the opportunity to become a Blue Angel. They truly represent the "best of the best", and make me so proud to be an American. I had the good fortune of watching the Blues many times when they used to appear at the annual Reading Air show in Reading, PA, flying F11F-1 "Tiger", F-4J "Phantom II", A-4F "Skyhawk II", and the current F/A-18 "Hornet". God bless you guys and may God bless and protect all of our military personnel and their families currently serving all over the world. 🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸
Al said that he took an F-4 to Norfolk for the show in about 1973 ( ? ). I was stationed at N.A.S. Norfolk from 72-75 in an aviation squadron and I was there for that show. I am also happy that he praised the enlisted maintenance crews for their professionalism and enthusiasm . I was also enlisted and trained to be an AE...aircraft electrician...but I became a Plane Captain for our ERA-3B Skywarrior aircraft, of which we had four. We also had 2 F-4's so I got to see them up close a lot and also to see them flying a lot. We also had 4 A-4 Skyhawks, which was the plane that replaced the F-4 and which is shown a lot in this video. But those F-4's are so great looking and those big, loud afterburners are tremendous, that it was a big step backwards when the Navy started using the A-4's...sad...
@@alcisneros7036 Actually, it was VAQ-33, an ECM squadron. I was there for only 3 years but I felt like I put in 10 years worth of living...and every bit of it was great. We were constantly going TDY to other bases for exercises. I went to Miramar 4 or 5 times, Roosy Roads, Puerto Rico as many, Florida several times ( forget name of base...Senior moment..LOL..!! ), Hawaii Hickham Field once, Canada once. I earned a Letter of Commendation while in Canada. I was very serious and took great pride and care of "my" planes, the ERA-3B Skywarrior. At one point, I thought about making a career of the Navy and figured I might as well do it as an officer so I took the application test for OCS. I had almost perfect Quarterly Marks, a great endorsement from my C.O. ( my name was on the nose gear wheel well cover as his Plane Captain ), but I was told that I just barely missed qualifying. So...seeing that my buddies and best friend were all getting out, I did the same thing when my enlistment was up. A few years later, I tried re-enlisting, but that's another story.
One of my very best friends, Henry Simmons was a B25 pilot during WW2. He had a son who was a Blue Angel, Don Simmons. Both were very good men. I can't tell you how much I miss Henry as he is now deceased.
Love these videos. From a lifelong Pensacolian who has marveled over the Blue Angels forever, I still get goosebumps anytime I hear the roar of the jets. Thanks to all of the pilots and crew for your service.
I've always wanted to fly, tears run down my face every time I see y'all,or any fighter jets God Bless all who fly, I'm from Lake Charles La, I go to chennault air base to watch you all, until the day I die!
Small world. I was assigned to VF-103 in Oceana, VA after my tour with the Blues in 1978. VF-31 was our sister squadron. Many memories on the good old USS Saratoga.
@@jerrywhite3095 The first time I became aware of Lt. Cisneros was during a workup he did a fly by on the Sara and he was inverted and I was looking at the bottom of the plane. Made quite of a impression.
Could you possibly have any information or leads on Steve Shoemaker. An old friend of my Dad, former Blue. Thank you. " Steve Shoemaker, LT. US Navy, VF-96, F-4 - 1 air victory and former Blue Angel pilot"
Hi Chad, Steve Shoemaker is definitely someone I very much have great admiration for and would love to meet, however, he politely turned down the opportunity to participate in an interview for this channel. I was not able to connect with him directly, but through a mutual acquaintance. Thanks so much for watching taking time to let me know you enjoy the channel, it really does mean a lot. More to come!
Hi Al .Thanks for sharing from the heart with this video. Seems like a long time ago that we enjoyed each other's company in the Tracom and Kingsville O club as well as in Jax. If you read this I'd love to catch up. Warmly, Dave "Mac" McLintock VA-83
Thanks, Another great video, so after serving as narrator it looks like he might have moved to 3 the left wingman and then 4 as the slot? Did they not go on as a solo's after the narrating? did they do it different back then? Thanks in advance
You're right about Al's progression on the team - Narrator in 1975, #3 in 1976, and slot in 1977. Back then, there was not the same transition as you see today with the narrator moving into the opposing solo role. It was not uncommon to see the narrator move into the diamond.
Surprised he made it to the top... there was lots of racism within the aviation community back then... He must have been an incredibly talented pilot... average would not have made it through even flight school...
![[TH] 2024 PMSL SEA Finals D1 | Fall | ยิงต้องโหด ให้เหมือนโกรธกันมาก่อน](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/OnTdfGySmds/mqdefault.jpg)
Just wanted to drop a line and tell you that I LOVE all your BA interview videos. I can't get enough of them. I love the stories, I love the old archived footage, everything is done top notch. Please continuing doing this great work. I look forward to more interviews in the future.
Christopher Roberts Thanks, Christopher! Thanks for dropping a line and so glad to hear you’re enjoying the interviews. No doubt this is a special group of individuals and I feel privileged to share their stories. More to come!
That's my father! I love you Pop!
You are blessed.
Ryan, you made my day! I loved listening to Al talk about his tour with the Blues. I did a tour with the Blues (1975-1978) and served on the Maintenance Crew. I did talk to Al on several occasions while there. Al was a great pilot and from my point of view, one of the best at the slot position. I was always amazed how quickly Al moved into the slot on takeoff. I would like to thank Al for giving credit to the Maintenance Crew during his talk. Yes, the Blue Angels have the best pilots and the best Maintenance Crew to be found. Together, they put on a great air show.
Jerry, so glad you enjoyed this one. The jets don't fly without the maintenance team and the countless hours spent behind the scenes. Thanks again for your service!
I first saw the Blues fly as a teenager in 1975 and 1977 at NAS Moffett Field, CA (I still have the programs from both shows). So got to hear Al narrate in 75 and fly the slot in 77, and see the aircraft Jerry White and teammates kept in flawless shape. The Blues were a big factor in my decision to earn a Naval Officer commission via Navy ROTC at Purdue; downscreened for flight school due to vision so served in the surface fleet aboard USS FAHRION (FFG 22). As with the aviation community, the enlisted men and women are who make the surface Navy work. We had 14 officers and 170 enlisted; no way FFG 22 could function without them.
@@mitchmassard2098 . Great, good for you. Teamwork is what it is all about.
Best part of this interview was hearing how much respect he had for the Thunderbirds. Everybody always talks about which team is better but it’s neat to see the mutual respect they have going both ways.
I never cared which was “better,” is just that parochialism amongst the branches set it in stone that I, as former USN, have more affection over time for the Blue Angels, as would the USAF folks prefer the Thunderbirds.
Al Cisneros is just a great man. Good leader and great American.
Pensacola is a must stop if you love the Blue Angel's and airplanes in general..great museum!
Thank you so much for your service Al! My dad is from Brownsville also . He joined the Navy and never looked back . A lot of great people came from little old Brownville.
Proud to know he is from Brownsville in the Rio Grande Valley. Saw him and the Blues at the then CAF airshow in Harlingen, TX around Oct 1976 while in high school. Can't tell you how proud I felt that a local Hispanic was on the the Blue Angel's team performing back home.
Bud Man he was the FIRST Hispanic Blue Angel!
Sir watching the F-4 Phantoms at Bergstom AFB in 1984 was instrumental in me going into the USAF in 1986. Thank you for your service. When I lived in Austin TX for a while. And watching the Navy Jets Fly at NAS Kingsville TX when I was young growing up in South TX.
What a great American! Thank you for your service to a great nation!
Thank you for sharing another phenominal interview with the rest of us! The one common thread that runs throughout all of the interviews with these former BA pilots is how humble and grateful that they are to have been presented with the opportunity to become a Blue Angel. They truly represent the "best of the best", and make me so proud to be an American. I had the good fortune of watching the Blues many times when they used to appear at the annual Reading Air show in Reading, PA, flying F11F-1 "Tiger", F-4J "Phantom II", A-4F "Skyhawk II", and the current F/A-18 "Hornet". God bless you guys and may God bless and protect all of our military personnel and their families currently serving all over the world.
🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸
My wife and I were born and raised in Brownsville and got married in 1977.
What a great patriot! So proud!
What humility and wisdom. Great man, great pilot.
Al said that he took an F-4 to Norfolk for the show in about 1973 ( ? ). I was stationed at N.A.S. Norfolk from 72-75 in an aviation squadron and I was there for that show. I am also happy that he praised the enlisted maintenance crews for their professionalism and enthusiasm . I was also enlisted and trained to be an AE...aircraft electrician...but I became a Plane Captain for our ERA-3B Skywarrior aircraft, of which we had four. We also had 2 F-4's so I got to see them up close a lot and also to see them flying a lot. We also had 4 A-4 Skyhawks, which was the plane that replaced the F-4 and which is shown a lot in this video. But those F-4's are so great looking and those big, loud afterburners are tremendous, that it was a big step backwards when the Navy started using the A-4's...sad...
marbleman52 thank you for sharing and thank you for your service!
Must have been VRF-31? A good friend, Roy Martin was assigned to that squadron as well.
@@alcisneros7036 Actually, it was VAQ-33, an ECM squadron. I was there for only 3 years but I felt like I put in 10 years worth of living...and every bit of it was great. We were constantly going TDY to other bases for exercises. I went to Miramar 4 or 5 times, Roosy Roads, Puerto Rico as many, Florida several times ( forget name of base...Senior moment..LOL..!! ), Hawaii Hickham Field once, Canada once. I earned a Letter of Commendation while in Canada. I was very serious and took great pride and care of "my" planes, the ERA-3B Skywarrior. At one point, I thought about making a career of the Navy and figured I might as well do it as an officer so I took the application test for OCS. I had almost perfect Quarterly Marks, a great endorsement from my C.O. ( my name was on the nose gear wheel well cover as his Plane Captain ), but I was told that I just barely missed qualifying. So...seeing that my buddies and best friend were all getting out, I did the same thing when my enlistment was up. A few years later, I tried re-enlisting, but that's another story.
One of my very best friends, Henry Simmons was a B25 pilot during WW2. He had a son who was a Blue Angel, Don Simmons. Both were very good men. I can't tell you how much I miss Henry as he is now deceased.
Love these videos. From a lifelong Pensacolian who has marveled over the Blue Angels forever, I still get goosebumps anytime I hear the roar of the jets. Thanks to all of the pilots and crew for your service.
Thank you sir for your service to this nation.
I have had the good fortune to meet Al Cisneros recently. He is a great man and a natural leader. Being around him makes a person want to be better.
I come back to watch this one above all. Exxcellentt..
A GREAT PERSON FOR SURE....... GO NAVY !... .. THE BEST PILOTS IN THE WORLD !
I was going through some boxes and found a picture Al autographed for me from an airshow in New Jersey back in 1977... this was a cool video to find
Glad you enjoyed. There are several other interviews with members from the 1977 team on this channel that you may like as well. Cheers.
I have a photo ID like to pass on to the family can you help me?
Great interview. Makes me proud to know we have people of this caliber to look up to as role models.
Agreed, Al is one of the best! Thanks for taking time to express your appreciation. All the best!
Great video!! What a nice guy Al seems to be! Thanks for your service Al,you were and still are a great man!
Taco, smooth as ever! "You've got 4 Boss"
I've always wanted to fly, tears run down my face every time I see y'all,or any fighter jets God Bless all who fly, I'm from Lake Charles La, I go to chennault air base to watch you all, until the day I die!
I served with Lt Cisneros in VF-31 in 1974
Small world. I was assigned to VF-103 in Oceana, VA after my tour with the Blues in 1978. VF-31 was our sister squadron. Many memories on the good old USS Saratoga.
@@jerrywhite3095 The first time I became aware of Lt. Cisneros was during a workup he did a fly by on the Sara and he was inverted and I was looking at the bottom of the plane. Made quite of a impression.
D Rubbo . I bet that did make an impression! It was great working with Al. Very personable guy.
D Rubbo because he was inverted... cue the Top Gun soundtrack! 😂 That’s my Uncle Al 👌🏼👍🏼 He’s the inspiration behind my aviation career.
Nice! My first airshow featured the F-4, but the A-4 was my favorite. It just seemed so graceful and elegant.
Wow. Got to meet him at Transfair '77
Good lesson, Al. Thank's. Greets from Europe.
R
Your videos are the best.
Thanks so much! Can't tell you how much comments like yours mean to me. Cheers!
Excellent presentation!!!
Very nice video. Always a fan of the Blues!!!!
What a great storyteller I just stumbled upon this and I'm gonna watch all of them thank you
I have to echo Christopher Roberts comment. Great videos, great interviews!!!
Jules talley thanks so much for all your kind comments. Jules! So glad to know you enjoy the interviews. Looking forward to producing more. Cheers.
So many stories, I can’t get enough. Keep them coming.
Great interview my friend, I proud about you👍👍👍
Thank you for sharing
Really love the interviews BTW
Class all the way.
Thanks for sharing your video. I enjoyed watching. Take care and God Bless.
I REMEMBER THE BLUE A-4'S. I WAS a teenager. and the THUNDERCHICKENS TOO..
Brownsville!!
Very touching. You sir have just eared a new subscriber!
Could you possibly have any information or leads on Steve Shoemaker. An old friend of my Dad, former Blue. Thank you. "
Steve Shoemaker, LT. US Navy, VF-96, F-4 - 1 air victory and former Blue Angel pilot"
Hi Chad, Steve Shoemaker is definitely someone I very much have great admiration for and would love to meet, however, he politely turned down the opportunity to participate in an interview for this channel. I was not able to connect with him directly, but through a mutual acquaintance. Thanks so much for watching taking time to let me know you enjoy the channel, it really does mean a lot. More to come!
Hi Al .Thanks for sharing from the heart with this video. Seems like a long time ago that we enjoyed each other's company in the Tracom and Kingsville O club as well as in Jax. If you read this I'd love to catch up. Warmly, Dave "Mac" McLintock VA-83
Hi Dave, great to hear from you! Please post how I might get a hold of you, would love to chat and catch up!
Wait! I need to dry my eyes! God Bless Patriots!
Thanks, Another great video, so after serving as narrator it looks like he might have moved to 3 the left wingman and then 4 as the slot? Did they not go on as a solo's after the narrating? did they do it different back then? Thanks in advance
You're right about Al's progression on the team - Narrator in 1975, #3 in 1976, and slot in 1977. Back then, there was not the same transition as you see today with the narrator moving into the opposing solo role. It was not uncommon to see the narrator move into the diamond.
Surprised he made it to the top... there was lots of racism within the aviation community back then...
He must have been an incredibly talented pilot... average would not have made it through even flight school...
Great video!
Thanks, neighbor! Appreciate the support and loving your videos.
Dog and puppy dog 🐕 A? The bullies.
Alit of us have family from the blue angels
SHERMAN CRASH,1978-2005..NASP FD
One family member wait till you see the others
Hispanic pride.
See my family
Please stop ok just stop as I told you I came from military on both sides