Blue Angels Homecoming
The 2007 Blue Angel Homecoming was blessed with perfect weather again this year, but after all it is Pensacola, Florida. There was a large crowd of people who rambled around the numerous static displays of modern military aircraft, Warbirds, and civilian aircraft. The crowds’ favorite aircraft on static was the “Black Lions” F-14. This beautiful Navy fighter jet has been retired from active service and now can be seen at the Pensacola Naval Aviation Museum.
The Friday and Saturday show featured flybys from different trainers spanning past aircraft to present. The show also featured outstanding performances from Jan Collmer’s Fina Extra 300L, Otto, The Red Barron Pizza Squadron, The Journal.com jet glider, Skip Stewart, a beautiful SNJ, Black Water parachute Team, Rob Holland’s MX2, F16 Demo Team, the P-51 Excalibur, and of course the Blue Angels with Fat Albert.
Skip Stewart, Shockwave, and the pyrotechnics performing “Mary’s Little Lamb” had the crowd on their feet. When Skip flew in front of the wall of fire the crowd went crazy. The flying was unparalleled, giving the crowd opportunities to photograph airplane, fire and smoke, a combination, which could be disastrous. The Red Baron Pizza’s Stearmans performance was outstanding; they displayed perfection and precision in aerial moves that looked effortless. On a sad note, after the show the squadron was dismantled. We will miss those beautiful Red and White biplanes in the blue skies at airshows around the country.
The Blues Angels took to the sky for the last show of the year and for some of the Blues the last show with the team. As usual the Blues brought their “A” game flying with precision, precise timing and flawless maneuvers. For me the best performance of the year from the Blues has always been their homecoming show.
At the end of the day we took a short break and then started the evening and night show. This is the second year the public has been invited to stay for the Friday night show. Skip, Fat Albert and many more acts dazzled the crowd by illuminating the night sky. The night show ended with a beautiful fireworks display, much like the one we have at home on the 4th of July. Young and old sat mesmerized by the lights in the sky, contemplating a perfect air show day.
I look forward to next fall’s Blue Angel homecoming with bittersweet feelings. Bitter because it means it will be the end of the airshow season and sweet because I get to do it all again next year. This is a show to see, to remember and to plan on attending; see you at Pensacola NAS next year. 2007 Blue Angels Homecoming.
By Carl Wilcox