Posted on 08/07/2018 8:40:24 AM PDT by Abakumov
The Seattle Times published an opinion piece entitled "Time to Retire the Blue Angels," which argued that the U.S. Navy demonstration team should not fly at Seattle's annual Seafair exposition. The author, Patrick Pilcher, wrote that he found the display "in poor taste," that the air show was a waste of money and a "display of military muscle-flexing that seems a bit outdated." Pilcher also believes that flying the jets is insensitive, since they "can be a reminder of the terror of death raining from the sky in the form of cluster bombs or other weapons" for "many recent immigrants from war-torn countries."...
The author of the Seattle Times article fails in a huge way to recognize what these flight demonstrations do for the nation. Not only the Blue Angels, but the USAF Thunderbirds, Canada’s Snowbirds, and numerous other flight demonstration squadrons and organizations show the public what their tax dollars are producing. In a time of cynicism and waste, the professionalism, training, and dedication of these men and women are, as the saying goes, some if the best this country has to offer to the world.
(Excerpt) Read more at eagleactionreport.com ...
Living proof that even a military pilot can be a stupid jackass.
My squadron was in the same group as the VF-14 Tophatters for nearly my entire tour of duty...yeah...legendary!
U r not worth a flame
Why not perform 6’ apart instead of ….6”
Still be a great show!
Took a trip to Seattle a couple of Augusts ago, and was able to watch the Blue Angels practice before their show that Saturday. I believe that they practiced from Boeing Field.
Except for closing the bridges across Lake Washington, pretty neat.
The author was responding to the guy who wrote the article for the Seattle Times...and that guy (Patrick Pilcher) is indeed a veteran, but I notice he was a National Park Service Ranger in his civilian life.
NHP employees are almost uniformly (though not always) highly leftist.
I have had the opportunity to watch some practice sessions before...that is pretty cool!
I would not place a BET, that the Fireman was not of Irish decent, as to the ROYAL part, Have you ever referred to a toilet as a THRONE? Thus that covers (pun intended) the ROYAL part.
Yeah, because we all know flying 6” from your wing man is a totally legitimate aviation maneuver that every pilot should master, which these show teams are just there to demonstrate for our, uh, education. The announcer said so.
Why even bother responding to this pathetic pantywaist? He’s just resurrecting an recycling a bunch of glop that long-dead SF Chronicle boozer and military hater Herb Caen squeezed out every year on schedule during Fleet Week. He was never taken seriously either.
So I’ve heard. Never went there.
But had a lousy liberal military conservative hating editorial cartoonist - Horsey.
Find out where this snowflake lives and have the Blue Angels buzz his house every day while they are practicing for the show.
I don’t think those who fly with the Angels, or the Thunderbirds, are *drafted*, *conscripted*, or forced in any way to join the team.
From documentaries I’ve seen, and articles I’ve read, it is thought an honor to fly with these teams. They only accept the best, of the best applicants.
Most of this objection is from military haters and the cowards who were never in the service.
I wasn’t a pilot, but I was in the Air Force (long ago), and one of the things I was most proud of was our “Thunderbirds”. They are wonderful representatives of the machines and training of America’s armed forces, and I hope they keep flying forever.
More people in Chicago are killed in a weekend than are killed flying with the Thunderbirds, or Angels.
Stop clutching your pearls and wringing your hands, and worrying about people who have nothing to do you. If you can’t stand the military, join the Peace Corps and transfer to darkest Africa where there are very few planes at all.
You people bitch, just to hear yourselves bitch.
I served on USS FDR (CVA-42), 1960-62, in V-2 Cats. I recall the VF-14 Tophatters were deployed with us then. I remember their logo with a tilted top hat. I think they were home based at NAS Jax, like most of our squadrons.
Well, shoot, I'm of Irish descent (though hardly decent) but I'm not Irish.
Heh, I did two weeks on the FDR with my squadron doing exercises down near Rosie Roads I think...boy, she was in tough shape in the mid-seventies.
Good logo-thanks for your service, octex...:)
And drop a couple of MK84 nearby just in case they don't hear when the plane flies overhead at 250 feet at 650 MPH in full afterburner!
Your so full of shit you dont know up from down. Exactly what are the accident statistics for aerial demonstration teams? Well, we’re waiting for you reply.
Your so full of shit you dont know up from down. Exactly what are the accident statistics for aerial demonstration teams? Well, we’re waiting for you reply.
Sorry; oafish rudeness is not a motivator for me. Find it yourself.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.