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Capital Gazette Communications
Published
05/26/10
The Blue Angels' practice flyover yesterday, and aerobatic performance today, may have looked effortless, but - as with a good ballet - a lot of unseen work went into making everything look so easy. 
Joshua McKerrow — The Capital
Three F/A-18s climb toward the heavens over Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium during Blue Angels practice Tuesday. After Wednesday’s show, they will move to Long Island, N.Y., for a show this weekend, but will fly over Naval Academy commissioning ceremonies at 10:04 a.m. Friday at the stadium.Find Us On Facebook
For starters, you saw seven aircraft soaring over the Naval Academy - six F/A-18s and Fat Albert Airlines, the mammoth Marine Corps C-130 transport. What you couldn't see is that the Blue Angels consist of 15 officers and 115 enlisted personnel, most of whom work behind the scenes, handling maintenance and logistics. "About 45 (personnel) go on the road at a time, and they will be up at 2 a.m. sometimes, getting...
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Thanks! - 2010-07-02 13:01:43
Juan, Thanks for the video link!! It amazes me how close they fly!
So cool!!
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Smile often, It could be worse. - Annapolis, MD - Karma: Neutral
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1
Really? - 2010-07-02 10:05:35
How do you bad mouth The Blue Angels?
Every city has it's attraction (IF THEY ARE LUCKY) and the locals learn to deal with it. There is just NO pleasing EVERYONE, ALL THE TIME. Learn to pick your battles and complain about things worth fighting for.
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Alyssa Milano - Arnold, MD - Karma: Neutral
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2 GE402 turbofans! - 2010-05-30 23:27:41
One great story I heard is of a Blue Angel demonstrating over Candy-da. He was late joining the formation and so selected full afterburner and went supersonic over Toronto destroying mirror and glass all over that city. The Navy (we) paid $100,000 for that damage but it was worth every penny! How about that, Stephen!
Here's a video for all BA fans: http://bit.ly/aG8aau
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Juan Pablo - Annapolis, MD - Karma: Terrible
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1
Yats can't hear the awesome sound o - 2010-05-30 23:09:59
Stephen Yats doesn't have the first clue about what it takes to fly an F-18. He probably rides a BICYCLE or prius to work for its environmental benefit, and so he cannot appreciate how 50,000 lbs of thrust takes a considerable amount of airmanship to control. But don't worry -- all Stephen has to do is BICYCLE each day to work, under peaceful skies, guaranteed each day by the U.S. Air Force and U.S. Navy.
Also, Stephen, had you visted their website, you would learn that these are demonstration aircraft, not "warplanes." Trust me, they bring in enough recruits to justify the exhibition.
Does this guy really live in Annapolis?
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Juan Pablo - Annapolis, MD - Karma: Terrible
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3
Yats - 2010-05-28 09:48:10
I feel sorry for your wife if you have one. You don't seem like a very content person. Everything about this area seems to make you miserable. You really should go back to sunny Pa.
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Mike Morgan - annapolis, md - Karma: Excellent
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4
Comment disabled due to community reporting. - 2010-05-27 20:48:37
Why is this comment hidden?
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The Blues - 2010-05-27 20:38:25
While we're at it, let's get rid of that pesky 4th of July fireworks display in Washington, DC. It kind of "inconveniences thousands of people from going about their merry way".
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John Loving - Annapolis, MD - Karma: Neutral
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6
Not about you, Steve... - 2010-05-27 18:31:16
"...There would still be an economic gain to the city of Annapolis without the Blue Angels being present..."
Sure there would Steve, but if all you care about is how much money the city can fleece from its visitors, you sadly miss the whole point.
"...coming in for their cadet's graduation every year..."
Steve, you claim to be an Annapolis resident, so there is no excuse for the mistake you just made. No Cadets will Graduate tomorrow - however, about 1000 MIDSHIPMEN will - get it right.
"...All the Blue Angels do is clog up the highways..."
No one is forced to watch, are they?
"...Where are the masses of people stopping on 50 by that dinky airport to watch planes do the exact same thing?...."
Obviously you have never actually watched the BA's show - or you would not make a comparrison equivalent to the delta between the Green Hornets and the Ravens...
"...I'm so impressed..."
Your loss...
"...I'm with Craig on it being a waste of money too..."
Well, I am glad you are not the arbiter of Defense dollars.
"...these are warplanes, pilots, and support personnel being used for show...that's it..."
Yes, for show - which equals positive public relations, benefits to recruiting, hightened awareness of the Naval Service and the military, etc... You do realize these are some of the most accomplished pilots in the Navy/USMC - right? They have already flown some combat tours and are now serving in another, equally prestigious way. After this tour, they will go back to flying some more combat missions.
"...It is not the price of freedom to inconvenience thousands of people from going about their merry way..."
Well, maybe not the total price, but it is the least you could bear for those who serve or are about to serve. Just remember - tis about those who are getting ready to graduate and go into Harms Way for us (and their families) - its not about you.
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Fred Davis - Annapolis, MD - Karma: Terrible
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5
Oh no! - 2010-05-27 17:19:14
Stephen, what's wrong with you lately? I thought we were friends? You're poo-pooing everything I love! LAX, The Blue Angels??? There are just some things Native Marylanders (and some long-time transplants) understand and come to plan for....one is that Bay Bridge traffic is GONNA be a bear in the summer on a Friday. Second, when the Blue Angels are in town, better just plan to be there or get outta dodge, pal. We all love them, they are a tradition and one I am excited to share with my two boys. We do it by boat since vehicle traffic is nightmarish...but we know that, we embrace that. It is what it is. Let's not knock tradition, there guy.
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Ronda Gray - Edgewater, MD - Karma: Excellent
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1
Get rid of them - 2010-05-27 14:25:54
There would still be an economic gain to the city of Annapolis without the Blue Angels being present. Just by the sheer numbers of visitors coming in for their cadet's graduation every year.
All the Blue Angels do is clog up the highways so people can ogle a plane...flying! Wow! Where are the masses of people stopping on 50 by that dinky airport to watch planes do the exact same thing? And, their routine is tired. Wow, a barrel roll. Ooo, a loop. Ahh, they kicked in the afterburners for a split second. I'm so impressed.
I'm with Craig on it being a waste of money too. Not for his reasons, but because these (and the Thunderbirds) are warplanes, pilots, and support personnel being used for show...that's it. At least during Fleet Week in NYC those warships are actually used as warships and the sailors and Marines actually do fight for freedom once the event is over! Imagine that!
By the way, Fred? It is not the price of freedom to inconvenience thousands of people from going about their merry way. I do thank you though, I laughed out loud when I read that part!
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Stephen Yats - Annapolis, MD - Karma: Terrible
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7
Blue Angels in Canada - 2010-05-27 10:55:29
Ive seen the Blue Angels in Annapolis many times including up close at the Severn Inn.
Always a pleasure.
However this past summer, the Blue Angels woowed or Canadian cousins in Toronto. Our Canadian friends were held in awe of these Navy Ambassadors thundering over Lake Ontario. The Blue Angels and their Air Force Brothers continuing our goodwill with
Canada.
This is priceless diplomacy for our country and reflection our outstanding individuals in our military.
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joe Hall - Riviera Beach, MD - Karma: Neutral
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7
Craig - 2010-05-27 07:06:59
My point, they have looked at safety and its much safer now. 1 Accident in 2007, and the one before that was 1999. Yes, the 60-70s have several accidents, way too many. But, they tightened their precedures and things are safer.
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Rick M - Laurel, Md - Karma: Excellent
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7
NIMBY! - 2010-05-26 18:16:17
"Total waste of money..."
By what metric can you claim that? What is the purpose of the Blue Angles if not Navy PR? Can you say with certainty money spent does not provide benefits the Navy desires WRT public relations and recruiting?
"...and endangers the citizens of Annapolis."
Really? In their 64 years, how many civilians have been killed as a result of exposure to the risk? What about the flights of commercial aircraft over the area the rest of the year?
"...Should one of their planes go down over Annapolis hundreds of people will be killed..."
Has there ever been an event in which "hundreds" have perished during a Blue Angles' performance or are you just resorting to hyperbole?
"...Now add to this, the waste of the millions of dollars of hardware being flown, the fuel..."
The Navy sees the use of these resources to be of positive PR and recruiting purpose - no different (but of greater value) than TV commercials during the Super Bowl - and they budget for it.
"...the fuel wasted in all of the cars gridlocked in and around Annapolis..."
Now we get the root of your gripe - NIMBY.
"...the thousands of dollars lost to business due to trucking being hampered..."
Only by those businesses who do not plan for this event and its impact to the area. This event has only been an annual event in Annapolis for how many decades?
"...the man hours of wasted time sitting in vehicles while gridlocked..."
Maybe the prudent person would have planned around the event - taken the day off or worked a little longer to allow the crowds to dissipate - prior proper planning prevents p poor performance...
"...why do thousands of people not in attendance need to be inconvenienced and millions of taxpayers funding it?"
Just chalk it up to the price of freedom
"...do this at an air show in a relatively scarcely populated area. Not over an area as densely populated as Annapolis."
Or, you could move to a relatively scarce
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Fred Davis - Annapolis, MD - Karma: Terrible
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7
Waaaaa - 2010-05-26 17:08:21
Anyone who can't appreciate that the Blue Angels are as much a part of the Annapolis experience as all of the other activities surrounding the Academy just doesn't get it.
The event surrounding Commissioning Week bring hundreds of thousands of dollars in revenue to local businesses and the chances of their being an accident are so infinitesimally small that it's not even worthy of consideration.
Those of us that live on this side of the bridge are quite content to recognize the service that the Angels provide to the armed services as well as the community and don't mind a little inconvenience in exchange for the spectacular show they provide.
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Henry Bowman - Baltimore, MD - Karma: Neutral
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3
Rick - 2010-05-26 16:28:39
Please research a little better:
During its history, 26 Blue Angels pilots have been killed in air show or training accidents. Through the 2006 season there have been 262 pilots in the squad's history, giving the job a 10% fatality rate.
* 1946
* 1952
* 1958
* 1964
* 1966
* 1967
* 1967
* 1968
* 1971
* 1972
* 1973
* 1973
* 1977
* 1978
* 1980
* 1982
* 1985
* 1987
* 1990
* 1999
* 2004
* 2007
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Craig Powell - Stevensville, MD - Karma: Neutral
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8
not a waste - 2010-05-26 15:22:52
I work in the city of Annapolis. Graduation week is a week we love and hate. Love because of the blue angels, hate because of the additional number of tourists it brings and the traffic. We know it's coming every year and we deal with it. Lots of people who work in the city take off for half the week rather than fight the masses. I love taking a break from work and watching them whenever they are flying. I stay in town and don't bother fighting the traffic. Most of the time, we stay and have dinner in town too. Annapolis makes a lot of money from graduation week. It's a great thing and an annoying thing. And all you have to do is plan around it or plan to be part of it.
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Tyler Johnson - Annapolis, MD - Karma: Excellent
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7
Craig - 2010-05-26 15:03:23
Sorry to disagree with you. Lets go back and talk about your metrics. The last death of a Blue Angel was 2007, and before that was 1999. Two deaths in 11 years is a very good safety record. Granted no deaths would be ideal.
The Blue Angels and the Thunderbirds are the best of the best. They are both a morale tool for the military troops as well as a very good recruitment tool.
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Rick M - Laurel, Md - Karma: Excellent
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2
What a waste! - 2010-05-26 14:15:06
Total waste of money and endangers the citizens of Annapolis. 26 Blue Angels pilots have died in crashes since 1946, averaging about one crash every 2-3 years. Should one of their planes go down over Annapolis hundreds of people will be killed. Now add to this, the waste of the millions of dollars of hardware being flown, the fuel, the fuel wasted in all of the cars gridlocked in and around Annapolis, the thousands of dollars lost to business due to trucking being hampered, the man hours of wasted time sitting in vehicles while gridlocked, and it's one enormous waste.
Please. The graduation party is great. But why do thousands of people not in attendance need to be inconvenienced and millions of taxpayers funding it?
Now is it fun to watch? Absolutely. But do this at an airshow in a relatively scarcely populated area. Not over an area as densely populated as Annapolis.
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Craig Powell - Stevensville, MD - Karma: Neutral
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4
Air Show - 2010-05-26 14:05:56
Not to take anything away from the Blue Angels, since they are top notch. For those that want additional jet viewing. The Thunderbirds will be in Ocean City, June 5th-6th. http://bit.ly/9otxPP
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Rick M - Laurel, Md - Karma: Excellent
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5
Love em! - 2010-05-26 13:48:26
While traffic might be a bit rough a couple of days, it's well worth it to have the Angels flyover!
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Mal Content - Annapolis, MD - Karma: Excellent
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