After a turbulent spring, the Blue Angels are on target to perform in Pensacola, Fla., the home of the flight demonstration squad.
It’s not their first show since a maneuver performed too close to the ground at the Lynchburg Regional Air Show in Virginia in May resulted in five canceled performances and the resignation of Cmdr. Dave Koss, the squad’s commanding officer. After weeks of additional practice and a new CO, Capt. Greg McWherter, they resumed performing with the Quad City Airshow in Davenport, Iowa on June 18 and 19. This weekend, however, they have their first show over their home turf.
Here are some shots from a practice session Thursday.
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- An F/A-18 Hornet with the Blue Angels flies upside down over Pensacola, Fla. while practicing for a performance this weekend’s Pensacola Beach Air Show. // Photo by MC3 Andrew Johnson.
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- The reflection of Lt. Rob Kurrle, Blue Angels’ slot pilot, appears in a mirror in an F/A-18 Hornet as he waits to taxi for a practice session over Pensacola, Fla. // Photo by MC3 Andrew Johnson.
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- Lt. Cmdr. Jim Tomaszeski, right wingman for the Blue Angels, practices the diamond dirty loop over Pensacola, Fla., the squad’s home turf. It will be the Blue Angels’ first performance there after a turbulent spring that included canceled shows and the resignation of their CO. // Photo by MC3 Andrew Johnson.
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- Maj. Brent Stevens, the Blue Angels’ left wingman, comes close to the tip of another F/A-18 Hornet’s wing during a practice session over Pensacola, Fla., the squadron’s hometown. // Photo by MC3 Andrew Johnson
