The US Navy Flight
Demonstration Squadron, Blue Angels, hosted their peers from the
U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds, the Canadian Forces Snowbirds, as well
as the U.S. Navy Leapfrogs and U.S. Army Golden Knights parachute
demonstration teams for a series of practice exhibitions at Naval
Air Station (NAS) Pensacola, Fla., May 9-11.
It marked the first time in more than two seasons that the teams
were able to meet and become familiar with each other’s
training regimens, briefing processes and overall team
dynamics.
“This was a superb opportunity for each jet demonstration
team to conduct an exchange of ideas and fortify
relationships,” said Cmdr. Steve Foley, the Blue
Angels’ flight leader and commanding officer.
“We’ve all been afforded an amazing opportunity to
witness each other’s demonstrations, but more importantly, to
continue to build great friendships with our counterparts in the
military aerial demonstration community.”
Department of Defense regulations prohibit the Blue Angels and
Thunderbirds from performing within 150 miles of each other in
order to prevent unwanted competition between air show crowds,
which is why it’s uncommon for the teams to watch each other
perform. Additionally, coordinating a time and location when all
three North American jet demonstration teams would be in the same
geographic area has been particularly tough during the past two
years.
"The exchange was a great experience for all involved," said Lt.
Col. Mike Chandler, the Thunderbirds' flight leader and commanding
officer. "The professionalism displayed by all teams was amazing.
We will be able to learn from our experiences and take back some
new ideas and possibly improve our processes and make great teams
even better."
Since the reunion’s focus was primarily for training
purposes, the NAS Pensacola flight line was closed to the general
public and media to avoid distractions. However, according to
Nathaniel Robinson, marketing director for the National Museum of
Naval Aviation, more than 5,500 people showed up between May 10 and
11 to watch the practices from the museum’s viewing
stands.
“It’s kind of hard to hide the fact that there were
dozens of parachutists and someone else’s jets flying through
our skies,” Robinson said. “Ordinarily, we expect the
usual crowds of about 2,000 people each Tuesday and Wednesday to
watch the Blues practice, but this week was a fantastic treat for
Pensacola and those vacationing here.”
The reunion week wasn’t for just the pilots, either. All
three of the jet teams’ maintenance crews spent valuable time
working together, learning about each other’s equipment,
socializing and participating in the traditional Blues vs.
Thunderbirds softball game, in which the losing team earns a
not-so-coveted 60-pound, blue and red toilet as a
“trophy.”
As Thursday approached, all five teams said goodbye as they
prepared for their standard routine of transiting to the next gig -
the Frogs leapt to Baltimore, Md., the Knights galloped to Tyndall
Air Force Base (AFB), Fla., while the Snowbirds and Thunderbirds
flocked to Tyndall AFB, Fla. and Langley AFB, Va.,
respectively.
Meanwhile, the Angels soared to Barksdale AFB, La., looking
forward to another opportunity to practice with their peers. [ANN
Salutes Lt. Garrett Kasper, Navy Flight Demonstration Squadron
PA]