Blue Angels illustrate precision during Wings Over the Pacific

Photo By Tech. Sgt. Christopher Hubenthal | U.S. Navy Flight Demonstration Squadron Blue Angels F/A-18 Hornets maneuver together while demonstrating the six-jet Delta Formation during the Wings Over the Pacific air show Sept. 27, 2014, at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, Hawaii. The Blue Angels performed the four-plane Diamond Formation, two pilot maneuvers, and the six-jet Delta Formation as part of their demonstration. U.S. Navy Blue Angels pilots are selected based on their professional ability, military bearing and communication skills. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Christopher Hubenthal)  

JOINT BASE PEARL HARBOR-HICKAM, HI, UNITED STATES

09.27.2014

Story by Staff Sgt. Christopher Hubenthal 

DMA Pacific - Hawaii Media Bureau   

JOINT BASE PEARL HARBOR-HICKAM, Hawaii -- Eyes gazed up to the sky when the U.S. Navy Flight Demonstration Squadron Blue Angels performed during the Wings Over the Pacific tour Sept. 27, 2014.

The Blue Angels, stationed at Forrest Sherman Field, Naval Air Station Pensacola, Fla., perform at approximately 35 to 36 shows a year, demonstrating choreographed aerobatic maneuvers that showcase skills possessed by all naval aviators. During the show, the team illustrated precision piloting through aerobatics such as the four­-plane Diamond Formation, the six-­jet Delta Formation and fast ­paced, two solo pilot maneuvers.

Steve Young, an Oahu local and airplane enthusiast, said he is always entertained when watching the Blue Angels in action.

"I enjoyed it, I thought it was great," Young said. "I don't think I came to a Blue Angels show where I was ever disappointed and this was awesome. If you ever hear about the Blue Angels coming to town you have to make it to the airfield. There's no excuse not to get down there."

Cmdr. Tom Frosch, U.S. Navy Flight Demonstration Squadron Blue Angels flight leader, hopes that the performances have a positive impact on their younger audience.

"It starts with hard work, discipline and having a goal," Frosch said. "We're hoping to spark that interest to set some goals. We want them to work hard at whatever they do like school and team sports."

Frosch said that representing the military by serving as part of the Blue Angels team provides a unique experience for the team members.

"It's a good opportunity for people from the team to represent the 500,000 men and women serving around the world and we take a lot of pride in doing that," Frosch said.

Those in attendance were also able to view static displays of vintage and historical aircraft, tour a U.S. Army Stryker armored fighting vehicle, and watch aerial performances conducted by the U.S. Air Force F-­22 Raptor demonstration team and the U.S. Air Force C-­17 Globemaster III demonstration team.

The Blue Angels are set to perform during the Marine Corps Air Station Miramar Air Show in Miramar, Calif. Oct. 4-­5 followed by a performance at the San Francisco Fleet Week in San Francisco, Oct. 11-­12.

• Date Taken: 09.27.2014
• Date Posted: 09.29.2014 20:24
• Story ID: 143690
• Location: JOINT BASE PEARL HARBOR-HICKAM, HI, US