Everything You Didn't Know About The Blue Angels
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- Опубліковано 7 чер 2021
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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.
"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.
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.
Thank god for Admiral Nimitz. Little would he ever know how much delight and Goodwill these Angels would bring.
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.
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
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 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.
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?
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.
As a former F15 maintainer I really enjoy all of your videos. You are a great storyteller.
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.
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
I can't compliment Ward Caroll enough, his knowledge, coupled with the dignity of his delivery, is really enjoyable.
Ward.former Navy carrier sailor VA-113 Stinger.
My wife and I love your stories
Thank you
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.
ua-cam.com/video/O_lZZdGw88g/v-deo.html
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! 😉
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.
I've never watched a video that gave me so much new information about a topic I know a lot about. I personally don't enjoy being in the airplane during acrobatic maneuvers, but there's nothing more exciting to watch. I black out at less than 5 G's, so I appreciate the training and physical skill it takes to fly a show and stay fully conscious.
Thanks, Loren.
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.
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!)
❤️✈️❤️✈️❤️✈️❤️✈️❤️✈️❤️✈️❤️
How cool was this. Your Navy and author cred allowed you to do something that hardly anyone is able to. Great video as usual.
Former Blue Angel Crew Chief 1993 - 1996, GREAT Brief!
Thanks, Allen!
Fascinating! I've never heard the Blue Angels routine broken down in that kind of detail. Much respect for outstanding airmen!!! Thanks!
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.
OMG! I had never heard about the entire Thunderbirds team being wiped out in one accident. A belated hearts out to all of their families.
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
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.
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.
@@songjunejohnlee2113 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.
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 !!!!!
Just saw the Blue Angels from my house. I live close to MCAS Miramar. Seeing them fly by my neighborhood is lovely. 💙💛💙💛💙💛
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.
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."
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!
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.
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.
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!
Many thanks for this channel. 54 y.o. private pilot and Annapolis native here. Great story telling. 👍
You've had some of the most awesome experiences! I loved this video, it astounds me that you guys can do this.. thank you!
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
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....
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.
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!
Waaaay back in the 80's I went to a Blu Angels show at Naval Air Station Cecil Field (now decommissioned) in Jacksonville, Florida. One of the "maneuvers" that was done was a "tail walk" down the run way for about 200 feet, then the pilot blasted straight up. It's one of the most impressive maneuvers I've ever seen anyone do. I'm not sure if they still use this in their routine. I know my father, a retired E-9 with 34 years active, was very impressed and just about a week before he passed, even though he could no longer talk, when I brought this up he had the biggest smile he could manage. I'm just so glad that we had that experience together.
Thanks for this break down shipmate. I’m an old A-7E maintainer.
Thanks so much for taking the time to share this with us.
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!
Thanks for recognizing the maintainers!!!
Semper Fixit.
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.
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.
Fascinating video. I love the detail about their professional approach. The seated visualisation and hand-drawn schematics made an impression.
"That Van Halen video" is the greatest music video ever produced.
Before Van Halen's Dreams, the ground level PA system used to play Cliff Richard's We Don't Talk Anymore during my first ever Blue Angels show back in 1980.
I've been to the edge, I stood and looked down, I lost alot of friends there baby, ain't got no time to mess around. Best line ever for me.
Say what you will in the great debate of Roth vs. Hagar, Dreams is one of the best Van Halen songs, if not one of best rock songs in general, of all time. The video is great as well.
1000%
My first time ever seeing the blues was that video. I was really young.
Another great adventure Ward, I appreciate your attention to detail. Great video!
Phenomenal video! I've been following the blues for 30 years, and there was so much I learned. Utmost respect to the entire team. Thank you for sharing!
I could REALLY listen to you go on and on about this stuff forever Ward...fantastic break-down on EVERYTHING you cover! A BIG “Thanks” for doing what you do brother..
YOU SAID “CREW CHIEF” Twice .... Thank You Commander!!!!
My son was a crew chief on f15's, f22's and at the end of his 8 years on B52's. He loved it but due to a motorcycle accident, he ended up having to leave the AF.
Turd Shirt isn't politically correct and Plane Captain goes right over people's heads. What do you do?
Great content. Your inside track on various things really makes the content that much more interesting. Thanks Ward.
Loved the observations around the post display debrief, solid lessons for us all. Great vid sir, thanks
Great video. I knew much about the blues, but never get tired of new information. I love their dedication to details and perfection of their performance. Same kind of dedication as in the video about the guards at the unknown soldier tomb. Amazing perfection, and a must watch video.
Absolutely the BEST show you have done. How you break things down makes it very interesting and easy to follow. Thanks
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!
The level of detail with which you tell a story is much appreciated, and because you are so well networked in that community, the personal asides really bring it home. Not too much, and not too little, but just right. Well done, Sir.
Thanks so much, Ward, for sharing your experience and explaining a sort of mystical/magical area of aviation many of us can only dream about. I love your content: the detail, the background... all of it!
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.
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.
Great episode! Loved the detail about the team and aircraft. Being a retired USAF fighter crew chief, this level of detail is very interesting. I’ve had the opportunity to see both the Blue Angela and the Thunderbirds many times. They’re always a thrill to watch!
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
I had the pleasure of knowing an ex Blue Angel Randy Clark. I met him year Top Gun came out. He was dating my friend's sister eventually marrying her. At time, I was interested in being pilot and we met for dinner. He was interesting guy. While out on deployment he got both the Blue Angel and top gun invitations. He said the Blue Angel decision was made for him. He said at time he rather have done top gun. He had great stories. He gave me tip for that year Marimar air show. He gave me tip where to view the practice where they were doing a Top Gun movie demo. Closest I have been to see a F14 in afterburner fly over. Kick ass experience.
Lucky
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
Thanks for another cool video. You've always got such awesome insight and experiences to share.
Thank you for keeping us updated on this stuff! Can’t wait to see it again and better!
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.
Another very interesting video, thanks Ward!
I'm really looking forward to seeing the Blue Angels at the Pacific Airshow this October in Huntington Beach, CA. I consider myself fortunate that my house is either right under or very near several of the show's flight paths. It's awesome to see and hear them banging by at 500mph for 4 days. Love it!
As always, a great video Mooch! Very informative and engaging without getting too technical or too much fighter pilot stuff. Thanks!
Excellent video Mooch - with more detail than I have EVER heard before. Your understanding and experience makes a huge difference, Cheers mate.
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.
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!
GREAT video, Sir. Lots of behind the scenes info. Looking forward to seeing the Blues in 2021.
Great series of videos on UA-cam called "A Year in The Life" of becoming a Blue Angel all the way through the end of the season.
Timely and informative video. I just saw some of their practice runs on Friday in Chicago. Thank you.
So cool that guys like this man take the time to do great videos like this one.
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
Awesome delivery! Just got done talking with a couple of the team members as they were waiting for fuel at the FBO here in Lacrosse, WI. I happened to bump into them as I was finishing up my morning and going home from my flight. Great bunch of guys. They certainly do represent the best of the best.
Great video sir. Very timely for me as I just saw these remarkable pilots fly these amazing machines live for the first time at the Duluth air show.
Truly the experience of a lifetime for me.
Thanks for the information and behind the scenes look.
Well done., sir. Nice presentation.
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
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.
Loved this. Took me back to Mr. Owens physics class. Saved me more than once. Thanks for the glimpse!
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!
This is so informative and I am so grateful for everyone’s service 🙏👍
Thank you for your service and thanks for taking the time to do this UA-cam channel.
The Blue Angels always put on a fantastic show! I've seen them a number of times in airshows throughout the years.
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.
Subscribed. You kept my attention for a full 38 minutes. Lots of new information about the Blue Angels (including that ejection in SF Bay that I must research). Your career perspective gave this video an edge. Thank you.
Superb show. Thanks for the detail of things most aren’t aware happens behind the scenes.
I still watch the video for Van Halen's "Dreams"
The Blue Angels brief is known as "The seance."
Ward! I just want to say that I love what you're doing here on UA-cam. I really enjoy your videos and stories!
I really enjoyed this video. I learned a BUNCH. Thanks for taking the time to create this content for us.
Thank you, Ward! Interesting to hear both the stories, and the details that most of us didn't know. Take care!
Thanks, Mike!