Everything You Didn't Know About The Blue Angels

In this episode, Ward talks about his flight with the Blue Angels, what it takes to make the team, and the transition from the F/A-18C to the F/A-18F Super Hornet.

Without warning the team suddenly pushes back from the conference table and lowers their chairs. Each pilot hunches over, gripping an imaginary stick with his right hand and throttle with his left. Their heads tilt in the same directions they’ll face while flying close formation during the flight. Their eyes narrow in what looks to be a Zen-like trance as the Boss goes through his radio cadence. “Up . . . we . . . go,” the Boss chants. “A . . . little . . . more . . . pull. Easing . . . power. Easing . . . more . . . power. A . . . little . . . pull. Rolling out.” The atmosphere is generally like that of a church congregation at prayer with the Boss playing the role of priest. Then suddenly the team comes out of the trance, pops up in their chairs, and moves back to the table. After reviewing the next maneuvers in the show sequence, they push back once again and go back into the role playing – the Zen state – as the Boss again sings his radio commands. The brief ends with other members of the Team briefing items required by their secondary roles. The supply officer briefs the weather. The maintenance officer briefs the field conditions and which runway they’ll most likely use for takeoff. And just like a regular fleet squadron, the pilots review an “emergency procedure of the day” and any other safety of flight items that might be germane. The main brief ends and the support staff along with the C-130 “Fat Albert” crew files out, but only after shaking each pilot’s hand. One can sense that these traditions aren’t arbitrary. They underwrite the intangibles that surround the Blue Angels’ mission, one that’s not reckless but inherently hazardous nonetheless. After a short van ride from the hangar to the flight line, the Blue Angels march over to man up, peeling off in front of their respective jets in a 90-degree pivot at each Hornet’s nose. Each gets in without a lot of fanfare. The pilots apply electrical power to their jets, and after a quick radio check the canopies come down. They taxi to the duty runway in numerical order, waving and giving the thumbs up to the enthusiastic crowd as they pass. Soon they’re in position for takeoff. The Boss calls over the radio: “Let’s run ’em up . . . smoke, on . . . off brakes now . . . burners ready now . . .” and 1 through 4 are on their way down the runway. They’re barely off the ground when No. 4 slides from the right wing into the slot as the four airplanes simultaneously raise their landing gear.

[rickboswell]

As a former Blue Angel Crew Chief 96-99 this brief is "spot on". It was incredibly hard work, but the most rewarding job I did in my 28 year career!

[beccahampton]

I grew up seeing the Blue Angels practice over my house in Pensacola. I recently moved back for a job after college and had a moment where I was driving to my first day of work and one of the Blue Angels appeared right above me, going straight in the direction I was driving to my new job. It felt like a “welcome home” and a sort of “sign” that I was in the right place. Great video!! Love the Blues.

[gillbrown]

"Amateurs practice until they get it right. Professionls practice until they can't get it wrong". This is 100% on point with the Blue Angels and the Thunder Birds.

[THEBASIL]

As a former MARINE W0RK ON F4 B&J I WAS IN FROM 1967 TO 1976 I LOVE watching the BLUE ANGELS

[housecaldwell]

I get to tell a war story! I'm a software test engineer and in the early 2000s my manager asked me to interview a guy who had been a BA ground crew member - he was the camera operator. My manager wasn't going to hire him because he didn't have the computer skills but he wanted a second opinion. I talked to the guy, came out of the interview and said "Hire him. Software testing is half about attention to detail and half about computer skills. I can teach him the computer skills. You can't teach the quality part." He was a great hire who went on to become a team lead and then MY manager -- one of the best I ever had.

[thomassweeney]

I can't compliment Ward Caroll enough, his knowledge, coupled with the dignity of his delivery, is really enjoyable.

[RKW]

I always chuckle at Brian Shul's account of flying in the back seat with the Blue Angels. When back on the ground Brian told his pilot "I don't scare easy, but you scared me twice during that flight". Blue Angel response "Don't feel bad, I scared myself at least three times". Another great video Ward.

[johnmiller]

Ward.former Navy carrier sailor VA-113 Stinger.
My wife and I love your stories
Thank you

[machinehead]

My team and I have been busy since late 2019, converting fleet Supers into demonstration aircraft for the Blue Angels squadron. We delivered most of what they have currently, in 2020, so they could begin to transition as soon as possible. We did the modification work and concurrent Val-Ver engineering. Then, we transported each ship across town to NAS Jax for its world famous livery. Then the jets get back to us at Cecil, and we process the jet through final mod/production processes, ramp ops, turn up, check out, check flights and deliveries. It's been an honor to present the Navy with the final Super Blue Angel product they fly today. Semper Fi.

[grovepeate]

Having taught a class at Elgin for the required altitude chamber training for our Thunderbirds this really enlightened my lack of knowledge that both teams go through.I never missed a July 4th demo at Coney Island during the 70's, we would go up on my wife's apartment building on Ave X which they would line-up on for the solo flt.The Jet would fly right by us at 28 stories high and always waved and smiled.I get tears at age 77 still seeing that in my minds eye.Thankyou Mr.Carroll.

[guardrailbiter]

Every resume ever submitted: "Detail Oriented"
Blue Angels: "That's cute."

[tyronemarcucci]

As a 6 year old, 1947 I was able to see the Blues in their Hellcats Next time in their Phantoms. I was on the Lexington at Pensacola and used to seed them every day our of Sherman Field.

[frtknokr]

The maintainers work their asses off. I've worked with the Avionics technicians on "Fat Albert" the Blue Angels' C-130. Their electrical schematics are hand-drawn.

[mikinozz]

Thank you Ward for yet another wonderful presentation. You’re a great storyteller. Years ago, at high school I was one of four lucky young Royal Australian Air Force cadets selected for a flight in Macchi jet fighter trainers participating in a two and two dogfight exercise. Of course we had g-suits and thank God for that as we reached approximately 7.5 g’s. I was a very fit young guy and dealt with the g’s just fine but how the Blue Angels deal with those forces without a suit impresses the heck out of me! Once again, thanks for your great presentation.

[christiannoble]

Blue Angel Crew Chief (2003-2006).
Such a unique opportunity as an enlisted crew member and it motivated me to become a pilot. I served and flew in the backseat with LCDR “Kojack” Davis the year before he passed. Such great memories.

[denslowburhans]

Many thanks for this channel. 54 y.o. private pilot and Annapolis native here. Great story telling. 👍

[davesawchuk]

Hi Ward!!! I was 13ys old and visiting my grandparents in Kelowna BC. They lived about a mile and a half from the airport. The day before the show, they flew right over the house and about 45 sec later I heard big boom!!!! I thought one of the planes had crashed. I went into town with my grandfather that evening and saw the carnage downtown. Whole blocks were windowless. Someone wrote on one of the boarded up windows “Roses are red violets are blue these are not angels, they’re Satan’s crew” I remember it like it was yesterday

[CLK]

Brief fly debrief brief fly heard many former Blues describe their tour with the team as hands down the most intense and difficult flying of their careers. The dedication to precision and excellence in every facet is forefront in their minds at all times. I have always been in absolute awe of the sheer endurance and discipline these men all present.

[santatigerclaus]

after a show i asked one of the pilots or ground crew why a tail number was upside down- "because that one spends most of its time upside down" -makes sense lol

[supersportimpalass]

As a former F15 maintainer I really enjoy all of your videos. You are a great storyteller.