US Navy Blue Angels Flight Demonstration Team/ Pictures and Information

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The Blue Angels Flight Demonstration Team***

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Blue Angels Music

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In early 1946 The Secretary of the Navy and the Chief of Naval Operations, Adm. Chester W. Nimitz, directed the establishment of a Navy Flight Demonstration Team. This was done to showcase Navy pilots skill, training and foster public interest in US Naval Aviation.

Roy "Butch" Voris, who was awarded three Distinguished Flying Crosses, eleven Air Medals, three Presidential Unit Citations, and the Purple Heart in WW II was selected to lead the first Blue Angels Team.  Voris is "Blue Angel Number One" and is still called "BOSS" by the other "BLUES", as in the original , one and only out of respect. Back in '46 there was alot riding on Voris and his men, they came thru. Butch passed on in 2005, but will be remembered as long as there is a team.

He was quoted a few years before his death, talking about the Blue Angels-" I couldn't have more pride in any other thing in this country."

Originally, The Blue Angels flew the Grumman F6F Hellcat.(Speed-376 MPH, Climb Rate-3,240 feet per minute) Over the years The Blue Angels transitioned to newer jet aircraft. In 1986, they marked their 40th anniversary year with the transition to their present aircraft the McDonnell Douglas F/A-18 Hornet.(Speed-1380 MPH, Climb Rate-40,000 feet per minute)

A few pics of the Hellcat*HELLCAT*[2]*[3]*

The Hornet*HORNET*[2]*[3]*

Thumbs Up! To the 'Blues' , no doubt, they have accomplished their mission. In 1992 one million people viewed the team in action during a 30 day European deployment. In 2005 their air shows brought out 17 million persons. Since 1946, they have performed as a US Navy Team for 414 million fans and my bet is that not one of them went away disappointed.

The Blue Angels have a cool website at.....www.blueangels.navy.mil/......sum great stuff, good FAQ...2006 Flight schedule....worth a look....

I saw them once and 'awesome' is only the beginning of a description of the experience. Maybe the concept of 'greased lightning' comes closer with a hell of alot of thunder thrown into the mix. Add in an appreciation of the split second timing and precision needed to fly the formations at such a high speed, both of which are not forces of nature like the aforementioned thunder and lightning, but human beings operating super sonic aircraft at  max potential using second to none skill and nerve, all made possible by intense dedicated training...well, now you get the idea. My considered opinion, if you have the chance to see them fly...Do It!!!!! These Dudes ROCK!!!!!

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If u get into the F/A-18 Hornet...u can check out this link to the Boeing website...in the LH menu u will find info on the Hornet, including Videos and Pictures...

Boeing Military F/A-18 Hornet Website

also here is another great Hornet site...has a ton of pics and movie/videos...

Voodoo Hornet Website

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Here is a smaller preview photo album...(i came across sum new pics)

When u view the album..u can hit...wil3.typepad.com...in the upper LH corner of the album, that will take u to the first/main page...might be better to page back though to view the next album......either way works...

Blue Angels 2***Pictures

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And the links to the larger main album....

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Blue Angels Music

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***US Navy Blue Angels***Pictures

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56K

Cable

hit ....wil3.typepad.com....in photo album upper left corner to get back to first main page of the site
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here is a link to...OTHER PICTURES

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