In 2008, we got to see the Thunderbirds perform at Scott Air Force Base (awesome!). In 2009, we saw the Canadian Snowbirds at Scott (totally different, but also awesome!). This year, we went to SAFB to see the Blue Angels (still totally awesome!).
The Whole Squadron
I never tire of air shows. Actually, going to air shows has really become one of our “family things.” I think we’ve been to one every year for at least the last five years, and I’m still always blown away by the stunts the pilots are capable of. I gasp every time they pass each other with what looks like only centimeters to spare. I wonder how they ever learn to do all those stunts (safely) in the first place. I ponder the fact that every time we see a group perform, we’re only one misstep away from seeing a tragedy unfold in front of our eyes.
And yet, it’s always been fantastic. There have never been any mistakes, only what always look like near-misses to me, but are actually carefully scripted parts of the show. Seeing our military’s best pilots also always serves to remind me how proud I am to be an American.
This year, we even had a little humor injected in the show–we got to see “Fat Albert” fly before the Blue Angel squadron took off. This C-130 is the work horse of the Blue Angels, and despite its size, is still painted in the Blue Angels’ colors. I was very amused by the name, and it was fun to see a different part of their group in the air–I don’t think we got to see anything like that with either the Thunderbirds or the Snowbirds.
“Fat Albert”
Everyone should have the chance to see a precision group fly like that at least once in their life. I make a point every year to tell my children how fortunate they are to have seen so many!
“Fat Albert’s” Belly
The Snowbirds were very different from the Thunderbirds, but equally impressive. The Snowbirds were more…graceful, for lack of a better word. It seemed like they did more looping, more with their smoke trails (including a heart, which was awesome, but faded before we could get a picture of the whole thing), and were, in general, a little more low-key.
Don’t get me wrong–they were still very fast, and did lots of amazing stunts, including several that made me a little nervous because they were flying so close to each other. Maybe it was just that the Snowbirds didn’t have the same volume as the Thunderbirds, but it felt much more relaxed.
We even got to meet some of the pilots after the show, and they were so nice, and very good with children. One of them asked Turkey if he thought he’d like to be a pilot someday. Turkey’s response? “Maybe someday I’ll fly the Space Shuttle.” What can I say? He dreams big!
Our whole family loves going to air shows, and the children were able to enjoy this one a little more because the noise level was less. They love watching all the things the planes can do–flying upside down, doing formations, swooping down and then climbing up so high–and I’m right there with them watching in amazement that anyone can learn to fly like that!