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Brunst-McNaboe
Since 1989, the Rams Head “offices” have been located in downtown Historic Annapolis. For our lunch breaks, we can enjoy the cobblestone streets, the speciality shops & and even salute the meter maids. Week-to-week that is a bonus to our jobs. But, one of the most exciting weeks to work in Annapolis is the USNA Commissioning Week.
Yes, you do have to deal with some extra traffic & have your yearly duty as a “official direction giver”, but it’s all in the name of our US Naval Academy grads, which we as a community beam as proud parents. That graduation is called “Commissioning Week”, and one of the locals favorite traditions includes a visit from the Blue Angels, in the form of a flight demonstration.
Official word from the Blue Angels website says:
A Blue Angels flight demonstration exhibits choreographed refinements of skills possessed by all naval aviators. It includes the graceful aerobatic maneuvers of the four-plane Diamond Formation, in concert with the fast-paced, high-performance maneuvers of its two Solo Pilots. Finally, the team illustrates the pinnacle of precision flying, performing maneuvers locked as a unit in the renowned, six-jet Delta Formation.
It is cool to watch from the ground, as demonstrated by the slew of boats that arrive in the harbor, the picnics that are set up and the people who watch from the rooftops. But, by far the most ridiculously amazing account of this event is this raw footage from WITHIN THE COCKPIT:
We salute you Class of 2009! We thank you and your families for being a part of our community and we look forward to your return visits as Alumni. Congratulations…
Blue and Gold
Now colleges from sea to sea may sing of colors true,
But who has better right than we, to hoist a symbol hue?
For sailors brave in battle fair, since fighting days of old,
Have proved the sailor’s right to wear, the Navy Blue and Gold!
“Beat Army!”
Mangold
Hanly
Sample
Chester
Parsons
Interns
Guest
Rams Head Group Tweets
A friend of mine, Jim Horsley was a Blue Angel years ago. What great footage this is.
God Bless all of you as you fly.
Debbie
Thanks. Absolutely terrific/fantabulous. My cousin flew F 86’s and 100’s, and I had a little cockpit time while I was at USAFA in the 60’s, and he says this bird would have been a joy to fly.
Tom in San Diego
While in the FAA at Edwards AFB in the 60s and 70s I had the opportunity to be a monitor for the Blue Angels a coupe of times. Once at China Lake NAS. I have an autograph picture from 1968. They were great then and still are. I miss doing those shows.
Jack F. Buckley, formerly Dep Chief of Edwards RAPCON, ret.
While with the FAA over 30 years I have enjoyed the Blue’s at many locations, El Paso International Airport, Brookley Airport and in Pensacola.I am ex Navy. Go Navy Bill Flowers ATC Manager, Brookley Tower Retired and old.
[...] Awesome in-cockpit Blue Angel footage: http://www.ramsheadtavern.com/blog/2009/05/20/blue-angel-blue-angel-fly-yourself-right-on-over/ [...]
Debbie Hobday’s post brought back memories. In February 1982, I flew in a practice Blue Angels airshow at El Centro, in the back seat of a TA-4J with Jim Horsley piloting as No. 4. As Chief of Staff at CNATRA in Corpus Christi, I went to El Centro twice to participate in local festivities and hang out with the Blues and go for a flight with them. In 1981, I flew with Mike Nord. Bosses during my visits were Denny Wisely and Dave Carroll. The A-4 was a great airshow airplane. I believe they flew a tighter formation in those days. What a thrill. I was awed by the responsibility of the leader. He makes the calls. If the weather is bad, he’s the one who cancels. If the weather is marginal, he decides whether to launch or not, and what type show to do (flat, low, regular). He must be faultless flying the lead; in the debrief, he’ll be criticized for every slight error.
My niece, Amy Redditt Tomlinson is a Blue Angel, and I’m a VERY proud aunt of her accomplishments! Wonder Woman.
Fantastic video. We lived on Whitehall Creek, Annapolis for 14 years. After their low-level fly-bys over the U.S. Naval Academy on the Severn River, the Blue Angels would often ‘form up’ directly overhead. I watched them do this many times from my deck facing the Bay and it never failed to make me tear-up with patriotism, pride and excitement.
Thanks to the cockpit videographer – and to our old Annapolis buddies The Bakers, for sending this to us.
WOW! Simply, WOW!
I have drawers full of pix I have taken of the Angels from the 70’s and practically every year since, either from Andrews AFB, Patuxent NAS or Annapolis. This was the most incredible footage of – not just the Angels, but of any aviation footage ever.
(BTW, I was at Annapolis a couple of weeks ago and they forgot to take the opportunity to get a shot of me…oh well, maybe next year)
You guys ROCK ! Glad pilots such as you protect our skies . Thanks & God Bless All Our TROOPS !
Having appeared at about 50 air shows with the Blue Angels, during the years 1962 – 1964 while a member of the “Chuting Stars,” the U.S. Navy Parachute Team, I never tired of watching their unequaled performance. By every concievable measurement, they represent the best of the best.
When I was at the Academy, the words to the Alma Mater were: “Now college men from sea to sea” and “sailor men in battle fair.” I see even USNA is now PC. Sad. Our Class motto is: “Vir Quisque Vir” – Every Man a Man. It is a shame that the words of a song I proudly sang had to be changed for PC resaons.
I knew Jim Horsely years ago while he was with the Blues for two tours, both in the A-4. I think Denny Wisely was the boss then.
Last I heard, Jim is somewhere in the north west. And I hope he and Sonja are well and having a good life.
Bill Montague, former Naval Aviator and current warbird owner.
Awesome! My Dad flew B-17’s, my son is going for a second tour in the mid-east, as is my nephew.
God bless all you guys and gals!!
Air Force brat Grammy – keeping the home fires burning
I’ll never forget the day I was offered the opportunity to film similar activity from the cockpit when I was invited to fly with the blue angels. An “imaginative” news director isisted I pick up an additional story on the way to the airport. Naturally I missed the flight and the TV station mised a great story.
In my 20 years of service I was involved in many air shows and by far the best were the one with the Blues. At dinner this very evening with an USAF field he proclaimed the Blues as the best demonstration team of all services. When we say its boasting, when others say its the conformation of what sailors have known all along. They are the Best!!!!!!!
Good luck to all of the Naval leaders of the future, Class of 2009. Uphold the many traditions of our Navy!!!!!!
I saw my first Blue Angels show in 1953, flying F9F. You guys are the best. Keep ‘em flying.
Dave
I lived in Corpus Christi,Texas as a child and teenager and have seen them perform. I married a Naval Academy grad and pinned his wings and he was one of the first to fly the F14..it was a wonderful and proud time of my life.
The Angels always put on great and thrilling shows. An acquaintance asks if a Ret’d Radm named Rothberg flew with the Blues when they performed in Tigers (F-11)S as the Adm(?) claims. I can’t find Rothberg in any of the ANA OR Tailhook materialI have, which doesn’t mean much. But my friend suspects the guy is blowing smoke. Would appreciate your input.
What a blast to watch this video. I found myself turning my head to the side and sometimes upside down to view some of it. Just fantastic. Makes me very proud to be an American!
As an AV-N 1942-1946, I am thrilled by the Angels and their incredible skills. First saw them in F6F’s and then F8F’s. They have come a long, long way.
I was an Ensign in VF-191 at NAS Mofitt Field in 1950 when the Blues were pulled off the demostration circuit and took over the top slots of the squadron. After a compressed training cycle we went aboard the USS Princeton and joined the 7th Fleet off Korea. Johnny Nagda was the new CO, and the rest of the Blews, Ray Hawkins Jake Robcke, Pat Murphy, and Fritz Roth each were flight division leaders. Magda was lost to ground fire. The memories are still strong of going into combat with the Blues.
From my days in late 40s working on B29s and radar to the current F35s , the machines of flight are a thrill. As a pilot, you can reach out and touch the face of God. After air show in 1953, Thunderbirds landed and slot man had vertical stabilizer burnt off.
You may moderate
Awesome, just Awesome!
Thunder-pigeons eat Navy Smoke!
Cheers Majic (sponsor Class of 2010!)
Beiing a Seabee for 32 years and having a chance to view the Blue’s occasionally, i never got tired of watching them preform.
You Navy fliers are the best.
God Bless all our troops in what ever theater
and God Bless the U.S.A.
I have been a serious fan of the Blue Angels since I was 11 years old. (now I am 68 yrs.) My Dad worked at Miramar and instilled the love of flight in me! Love to watch them barrel down over Mission Gorge Road and past my backyard when they are here in San Diego!!!! My 6 children and husband are also big fans! Thanks for being so wonderful and risking your lives to entertain the world.
I was privalage to see them fly near Jacksonville, in a field, right by the airport, where friends of my Sister and Brother in law lived, it was so awesome, like I could reach up and touch them on the way over, and so close, I will never forget that, and a lot of my Uncles, were in the Navy and my Grandfather, so, was so, great to finally see them fly, God Bless them,
I saw them in 1979, when they were flying A-4s. Best show ever–the “bomb-burst” stunt at the end is impossible to describe–you just have to see it in person!
We sat behind the English leader of the RED HAWKS the year they flew along with the Blue Angels in Annapolis. Kevin Miller, the son of our good friends, flew slot position for two years and was the narrator for one year for the Blue Angels. I don’t think his mom, Jane Miller, missed a single performance.
It was inspirational to be watching such an event.
Some of the older “Blues” might remember an old high school friend of mine, Kevin O’mara. Miramar, 29 Palms, the ’60’s. Proud of him and all the rest.
Keep on keep’n on !
Not the Thunderbirds, but no bad, not bad at all.
SWEETNESS
I had the opportunity to participate in the NAVCAD flight training program in 1962 and I made a stupid 19 year old decision, I turned it down even though I was a student pilot with over 30 hours of flight time. I’ve seen the Blue Angels numerous times and they are without a doubt the best military pilots in the world. I just received a video about FA-18 pilots landing on a pitching deck at night…awesome.
Warm regards, Danny Graham, CFII
As a former USAF pilot, I give “the Blues” high marks, but would reserve “best military pilots in the world” to – yep- The Thunderbirds- USAF demonstration team.
A wonderful cockpit video- even the occasional 8-G grunt and the cowboy “heehaws” on recovery.
Go Air Force!
What a show. Great video. Those guys are having too much fun for it to be legal
The Shanty 1 beat the Slo Mo in the 1957 Seafair Trophy Race in Seattle Washington. At 17 years of age, I was a member of the Shanty Race Team. At the awards banquet, I was honored to sit at the table with the amazing Blue Angels Team as there was no room at the Shanty table. It was the most memorable evening of my life.
WOW! That is the most amazing and captivating flight video I have ever seen, or hope to see!One can almost feel the ‘Gs!!!!’ Thanks, Photo Guy!
My 4-year-old Grandson already says he wants to be a Blue Angel, and I can’t wait to see his face when he sees this!
And THAT is coming from a West Point ‘69 grad who spent 20 years in the Infantry and Armor.
The Navy and the Angels have my utmost respect! (The Navy even gave me my wife, daughter of a WW II Navy Carrier-Pilot!) HOWEVER, and you KNOW this is coming, I have to disagree with one statement in the text, and , after even 6 years, say, BEAT NAVY!
I live just a few miles from NAS Pensacola and this was so cool!! I know I’ll never be invited into the cockpit for a free ride…that’s ok because I can watch this over and over and feel the sky with my fingertips! What a pleasure to see the Blues perform and thrill people from all over the world almost every Tuesday and Wednesday in Pensacola. You guys are the very Best, every day and especially when you’re flying over Pensacola. Thanks to ALL of you for the incredible job you do and your service to the USA.
Saw the Blues for 1st time in 1968. Been going several times per
year since. Just not a nicer nor more talented group anywhere in
the World. Proud to have them represent us around the world.
Presently have in excess of 160,000 pix of the Blues and have only
been doing photos of them since the year 2000.
For some reason, the Flight Demonstration did not come up on my computer as I had hoped.
Sine I have not witnessed a Flight Demonstration for several years, I hoped to see this one online.
Was that supposed to be the case, Alan.
Thanks, Reece
Amazing – I could watch all day. God bless you all for everything you do!
For Cdr Alton Murray Barlow
I am looking at the complete Blue Angel Pilot roster from 1946 to
present. There is no record of a Rothberg that ever flew with the Blues
Regards,
Capt. Vince Donile USMC
The Blue Angels
#2 1967-1969
Blue Angels,
There is no way anyone can appreciate the exceptional skill you possess to make something so incedibily difficult and dangerous seem so smooth and natural. This video begins to bring the beauty and power of what you do home to those of us that can only dream about the joy of flight!!!
Please continue to “Fly smartly now and with authority and grace show proudly who it is you are!”
Gary Deverman
Magnificent! The amazing skill, the perfect execution, the strict discipline all are seen and felt. But it’s the little “Yee Haws” and “Whoowees” that let you know these are some wild and crazy guyzzz. Thanks for the ride!
To Vince Donile:
I remember seeing your performance at Miramar in, I think, 1967. I was there with my girlfriend who had never seen the Blues. You guys were flying the big, heavy and loud, F4 Phantoms then. I remember a diamond formation pass immediately in front and almost over the spectator area that was most impressive even for someone who has seen the Blues fly everything since the days of the Panthers. Thanks for the great date! Proud son of Cdr.A.C.”ACE” O’Neal, F8 Driver!
SAW THE BLUES FLY FROM 1964 ON. RETIRED AND LIVED IN PENSACOLA FOR NEXT 30 YEARS, WHEN THE BLUES WERE HOME, I WENT TO SEE THEM, F-11 TO THE FA-18. WOW WHAT A SHOW.
PROUD TO BE RETIRED USN
Awesome!! Totally Awesome!!! This just leaves you in awe! Surreal… So much for Hollywood. They couldn’t replicate this with their best technical designs. Much respect to our U.S. Armed Forces and the USN’s Blue Angels!
This is some great cam shots. Man it’ just like being there. I never had the good fortune of seeing the “Blues”, seems like I was always at sea; I was stationed on board destroyers during the cold war. Then in 1990 the BLUE ANGELS gave Oklahoma City a show we will never forget. Thanks, thanks for the memories.
God bless you all as continue to be ambassadors for the U.S. Navy.
I saw The Blues for the first time At Pre-Flight school, NAS Ottumwa, Iowa in the fall of 1946 when they flew either F-6’s or F-8’s. They were the best of the best then, and have never relinquised the title.
Cliff Zobel, ex-NAV CAD