The U.S. Navy's flight exhibition squadron, the Blue Angels, is a rare treat to behold. They are a fine example of the precision, discipline, and sheer guts exhibited by our military. Spectators are able to see the fine skills of the Blue Angels when they fly into cities and towns across America and in some parts of the world to do air shows. Growing up in the military as a Navy brat, I attended many air shows where the Blue Angels performed. They are very inspiring!
The Blue Angels are representative of the U.S. Navy, but they are a huge credit to our military as a whole. They are the best exhibition team in the world. Who else could fly 36 inches apart wingtip to wingtip? They exhibit very impressive and outrageous (in a good sense) flying skills.
I had the pleasure of talking with one of the pilots who flies with the Blue Angels, LCDR Tom Winkler, USN at a recent air show in my area. LCDR Winkler was down to earth and very eager to discuss with me the background on the Blue Angels and their experiences.
The home base of the Blue Angels is NAS Pensacola, Florida, at Forrest Sherman field most of the year, but when in training, the Blue Angels fly into El Centro, California, at the Naval Air Facility there.
The Blue Angels have been entertaining audiences since 1946. This year is their 61st year.
The aircraft that the Blue Angels fly is the F/A-18 Alpha Hornet. The impressive fighter jet can shoot to 500 feet in 1 second and can achieve speeds of Mach 1.8, equivalent to 1,320 miles per hour! The Blue Angels have flown the F/A-18 Hornet since 1987, and are currently celebrating "20 years of Blue Hornets." The Hornet is favorable as it offers the pilots the ability to fly "aggressive, graceful, and demanding."
In the United States, the Blue Angels "visit between 35 and 37 cities a year," specifically called "domestic air shows." So they are quite busy. Their schedule starts in the middle of March and runs "eight months straight, all the way to November," said Winkler. In the first few months of the year, the Blue Angels are in training.
I asked LCDR Winkler which countries the Blue Angels visit abroad. He told me that the team has done shows in Europe and in Canada.
If you are like me, you are wondering how the pilots could keep from vomiting or getting sick in any way when performing such awesome aerobatics.
LCDR Winkler remarked, "We stay in pretty good shape. It helps with the dynamics of flying; it helps with g-tolerance."
Winkler mentioned that the pilots' regimen included weight lifting and cardiovascular workouts. And of course, the flight training.
To be a part of the Blue Angel team, one must already be a pilot with the U.S. Navy or U.S. Marine Corps and have a certain amount of flight hours. LCDR Tom Winkler has been flying for the U.S. Navy for 11 years and with the Blue Angels for two years.
Winkler said that if a pilot is chosen to fly with the Blue Angels, it is a "2-year tour usually" and the team gets three new members each year.
So, the pilots are rotated out frequently.
"Main thing, it's been a rewarding experience. You meet a lot of folks from all walks of life," Winkler said happily.
For any young person or anyone who may be considering a career in aviation, Winkler said: "Go for it...do well in school...keep your options available. The world of aviation is broad, as it offers a career choice as well as a way to unwind. Anyone can pursue flying as I have done some flight training when I was in my early 20's. The sky is the limit, or 'seize the sky'...my motto.''
What anti-war protesters (or those who have the audacity to say that the military goes after only the "economically challenged" and minorities) do not get is that the military offers a person the experience and chance of a lifetime to be a huge inspiration to others. It IS service, the best kind of service actually. To be a part of the U.S. fighting forces, the best in the world, is an honor.
So, instead of dissuading young people from joining the military, we should be bringing up military service more often. A military career can help bring out good qualities in a person and helps them see his/her potential.
It was heartening to hear LCDR Winkler say that when the Blue Angels perform at air shows, people tell them that they make them proud to be Americans.
The Blue Angels are inspiring, not only to adults, but they inspire young people to dream of the infinite possibilities they can achieve.
They are not only a symbol of U.S. Navy pride, but American pride. So head out to an air show near you for a rare treat!
Learn more about the Blue Angels flight exhibition squadron:
Click below to see photos of ground operations and the U.S. Navy Blue Angels in action (note the changing positions of the Plane Captains on the ground):
Felicia Benamon is a columnist and freelance reporter residing in Tennessee. She has a military background and has been active in politics since 2000. Her e-mail address is