The whole show is a little sloppy, but watch what happens @ the 24 minute mark.
Someone called " Knock it off!!!" at the last second, and avoided 4 lawn darts...
".....It was during the barrel roll break. Looked like 3 or 4 got into some jet wash and got all out of shape. 1 and 2 stayed together but spread out. 5 and 6 immediately pulled out of the stall-speed demonstration (high alpha pass) and they all slowly rejoined behind the crowd. Did a photo pass and immediately landed. I knew something wasn’t right when 1 and 2 didn’t break like planned. Glad these finely trained professionals kept cool. Scary stuff. He announced the barrell roll break then said to turn your attention to the right (solos) for the section-high alpha and at that point the solos throttled up and spread out and slowly gained back on 3 and 4 (or 2 and 4 (Hard to tell at the time). Who were a good distance behind the front 2. The announcer just went silent."
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Blue Angels C.O. Relieved
Chief of Naval Air Training, Rear Adm. Bill Sizemore, relieved Cmdr. Dave Koss, Commanding Officer of the Naval Flight Demonstration Squadron Friday, May 27, at his request following a lower-than-normal maneuver during the team’s last performance at the Lynchburg Regional Air Show May 22.
“With deep personal regret I shared with my command today that I will be voluntarily leaving the greatest flight demonstration team. I performed a maneuver that had an unacceptably low minimum altitude,” said Koss. “This maneuver, combined with other instances of not meeting the airborne standard that makes the Blue Angels the exceptional organization that it is, led to my decision to step down. I have the utmost respect for the Sailors and Marines of the Blue Angels organization and all that they embody. The reason this team is so successful, brings thrills to millions of fans across America, and represents the U.S. Navy so superbly is because of the absolute commitment to safety and perfection by every member of the team. I am honored to have been a part of this organization and I look forward to watching its success in the future.”
Koss will be replaced by Capt. Greg McWherter, who was the previous Blue Angels’ Commanding Officer, for the duration of the season.
This move requires the cancellation of the Blue Angels’ scheduled performances at the Rockford Airfest June 4-5 and the Evansville Freedom Festival Air Show June 11-12. The Blue Angels will remain in Pensacola for additional training and air show demonstration practice. Any potential changes to the team’s future schedule will be announced at a later date.
The Blue Angels regret any inconvenience and look forward to continuing to represent the Navy and Marine Corps service members serving around the world.
