I really like going to air shows...less for the crazy trick planes whippin around in the sky...and more for demonstrations of the air power that gives America air superiority in any fight she may get into. So the Air Power Expo at Naval Air Station Ft. Worth Joint Reserve Base seemed like the logical place for me to be yesterday. Especially after missing the Blue Angels last week. So Chrissy, Charlie, and I headed up to Ft. Worth...it was well worth it.
My favorite plane is the A-10 Thunderbolt II...aka the Warthog. They literally built the plane around that 30 mm gun in the front.
The famed Blue Angels. The U.S. Navy's flight demonstration team. I highly recommend that you see them if you get the chance. They'll be in San Antonio October 29-30 (I believe at Randolph AFB). Naval aviation holds a certain mystique in my heart...(thank you Top Gun)...and these guys are awesome to watch.
The paracommandos brought in the colors with a stirring rendition of the national anthem.
The VFA-204 River Rattlers finished off the national anthem with a fly over in their F/A-18s. (that middle one is actually an F-5 in case you were wondering)
I have never seen a Marine Corps AV-8B Harrier in person. It was awesome. They demonstrated its vertical take off and landing capability. It can literally just hover in the air, and spin around, then really blast its engines and take off whippin around like a fighter jet. Chrissy's favorite demonstration of the day.
A big reason we went was to see the A-10 demonstration team. I love this plane, and I love how it swoops around in the sky, and then wreaks havoc on the enemy...providing close air support for our troops on the ground. I hope these guys watch over FOB Bostick from the skies over Afghanistan.
The heritage flight of the P-51 Mustang and the A-10 Thunderbolt II.
We were treated to a fly over by a USAF B-52 Stratofortress. These bombers have been in service for almost 60 years!
Threat eliminated.
The Blue Angels demonstration begins with a USMC C-130T Hercules...aka Fat Albert.
Usually the Blue Angels have four F/A-18s flying in a diamond formation, and #5 and #6 birds provide the solo and opposing demonstrations. For some reason, they towed #4 away in the morning and flew without her.
#5 Lt Ben Walborn flies inverted crossing paths with #6 Lt C.J. Simonsen. You'll notice the landing gear is down and the tail hooks are out. Those hooks grab on to a wire on the landing surface of an aircraft carrier to land the aircraft and prevent the plane from going into the drink.
Everything the Blue Angels do is done with exact, military precision. From the way the maintenance crews prepare the aircraft for flight in unison, to the way #8 reads the narration to #7, who then delivers it to the crowd...all while standing at attention. It really is spectacular to watch.
Good times.(a big thanks to my dear wife Chrissy...she takes awesome pics)
3 comments:
Excellent narration of what looks like a perfect day !
I like the way you write Zach, your 1st sentence in this post drew me right in. Sounds and looks like it was an awesome show,
whoops that last comment was mine
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