[islander-11]

It's probably selfish of me to be so bummed out about this... These guys are such an uplifting symbol of what is great about America. Duty comes first, though.

Commander Russ Bartlett, the leader of the Blue Angels, made this air show happen. He was one of my childhood friends. He and his family left the Island when he was about 13. Russ went to the Naval Academy, then to Pensicola for flight school. He flew off the deck of the Teddy Roosevelt in the first Gulf War (100 plus sorties). He then went to the Naval War College, where he helped develop the Predator drone. Now he heads up the greatest flying group in the world.

When I got to see him after all these years, I thanked him for his service and for making me feel like a complete loser...

[Psycho_Bunny]

The company for which I work hosts the Blues every year for the Seattle Seafair.  We are a private athletic club in downtown with hotel accommodations on the upper floors of the building.

On one of the four days the Angels perform, we rent a ferry and take the wives of the Blue Angels out on Lake Washington.  Up on the bow of the ship, we put two huge blue flags so the pilots know exactly which boat to show off to.

I have to say....I don't think I'll ever forget this years performance.  At one point the Solo did a high speed pass about 75 feet off the bow of the ship....we could see the shock wave forming on his wings.

Those airframes are just beautiful.

[Pukin Dog]

Don't feel bad, it is not hard to feel inadequate around Bartlett, the guy is good. One of those up-and-coming young punks that made sure that no more Tomcat guys were going to get Blue Angel slots. A great guy with a great family. Russ will eventually get a Carrier and more before he is through.

[Pukin Dog]

Don't feel bad, it is not hard to feel inadequate around Bartlett, the guy is good. One of those up-and-coming young punks that made sure that no more Tomcat guys were going to get Blue Angel slots. A great guy with a great family. Russ will eventually get a Carrier and more before he is through.

[zygoat]

Ivan has also caused the cancellation of a small airshow here in Hagerstown, MD. No blue angels, but it was a Fairchild event, and the star was going to be the A-10. I hope they reschedule it.