Photos: Blue Angels Back In The Skies Over Pensacola

July 11, 2013

The Blue Angels were back in the skies over Pensacola on Wednesday.  While the Blue Angels’ 2013 air show season may have been canceled due to budget constraints, the pilots fly proficiency flights to maintain their qualifications in the F/A-18 Hornets. 

Scroll down for more photos with captions.

Submitted photos by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Terrence Siren for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.

Above: The Blue Angels take off from Naval Air Station Pensacola Wednesday for proficiency flights to maintain their qualifications in the F/A-18.

Above: Blue Angels Commanding Officer and Flight Leader Cmdr. Tom Frosch taxis his F/A-18 Hornet down the runway prior to take-off.

The Blue Angels, F/A-18 Hornets go “smoke on” prior to launching a pilot proficiency flight from Naval Air Station Pensacola on Wednesday.

Above: Blue Angels Opposing Solo pilot Lt. Mark Tedrow waves to his crew chiefs prior to the launch.

Above: Crew chief Aviation Ordnanceman 2nd Class David Schooley of Easton, Pa., runs clear of the Number One jet.

Above: Blue Angels  Maintenance and Support Team members run clear of the runway as part of a practice ground performance prior to the launch of a pilot proficiency flight.

Comments

13 Responses to “Photos: Blue Angels Back In The Skies Over Pensacola”

  1. david lamb on July 12th, 2013 11:13 am

    OPSEC? Nothing said violates any secrets or security. it is common knowledge and reported from time to time! Obummer is utilizing his “priviledges” far more than past Presidents. His path is a path to destruction!
    Keep the Blues and the TBirds flying!

  2. DD on July 11th, 2013 8:53 pm

    And don’t forget there extra pay, they call it flight pay !

  3. fred on July 11th, 2013 1:38 pm

    @Fishhook240 – I agree! $20 Million to Syria to stabilize the government, then $200 million to the Syrian rebels to fight the government we just funded.

    How much could we have helped Social Security (which we taxpayers paid into)? But no, let’s send Billions to countries where they hate us and want to kill us, and to hell with our own citizens. But, our national leaders just go along business as usual.

  4. ammo22 on July 11th, 2013 1:34 pm

    @david lamb—you must have forgot about a little thing we call OPSEC. Have a nice day!

  5. david lamb on July 11th, 2013 11:50 am

    BTW, Support teams/advance teams take his limousinre, helicopter and other required equipment ahead of Mr. Obummer. An E-4B( an Air Force 747 with all the same command and control communications as AF ONE has) from Offutt goes out ahead too to establish phone and communications links back to U.S.
    It would shock you to know how many planes and other resources are sent with him! Been there /Done that with USAF!

  6. david lamb on July 11th, 2013 11:41 am

    AMEN. Obummer cam take a smaller less expensive jet!

  7. some one on July 11th, 2013 11:30 am

    you i think its alittle crazy that all these other fighter jets and stuff fly over my work up in brewton all the time 2 to 3 times a day 2 at a time and there fussing about money being lost flying the blues i think thats alittle stupid myself

  8. Fishhook240 on July 11th, 2013 10:56 am

    Until they restore all the things the TAXPAYERS of this country enjoy, They should not give one cent to any foreign country, not one cent. We the working people pay our taxes but seem to be the first place they cut when money is short. Look out for our citizens first. I’m sure all the money we send overseas would easy pay for the Blues flying, all state and federal parks being free and no restriction on visiting the White house. “PUT OUR PEOPLE FIRST”

    If you agree, Say you agree

  9. LEO on July 11th, 2013 10:01 am

    @William Hughes….That statement makes ZERO sense! On to the next……

  10. fred on July 11th, 2013 9:58 am

    @William Hughes – I wholeheartedly agree. Amidst all the cuts, furloughs, and closings, the President and Congress are just going merrily along as if nothing had happened. This is a national embarrassment, as the dysfunctional leadership in DC plays their fiddles. How many congressional offices are closed due to furloughs? How many of them are dealing with the consequences of their actions? None.

  11. William Hughes on July 11th, 2013 8:43 am

    Instead of grounding the Blue Angles, why don’t we ground Air Force One? That 100 million dollar trip to Africa could have paid for a lot of flight time for the Blues.

  12. Jimbo on July 11th, 2013 7:27 am

    These fellows should have found a way to do this “Pilot Proficiancy” flight on Air Show day!

  13. Flo on July 11th, 2013 7:19 am

    THANK YOU BLUES!!! My heart was broken that we wouldn’t see you fly this summer. But what a dream come true! My granddaughter & I were at top of NAS lighthouse when you took flight. FLY SAFE!