Blue Angels-San Francisco Fleet Week

[monik7]

I just spent some time watching the live performance on TV of the Blue Angels at Fleet Week in San Francisco. In past years I’ve been there in person to view this specatacular demonstration, but chose not to go this year because there would be no parking and with COVID I didn’t want to take a chance on public transportation. Obviously much better in person, but here are a few shots that still show how amazing the Blue Angels are especially on a beautiful day in San Francisco.


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That little island ahead is the infamous Alcatraz Prison in the middle of San Francisco Bay.


Coming up over Alcatraz





Last time over the Golden Gate Bridge

Sandi

[Shirlv]

Sandi, amazing and beautiful, thanks

[OregonLuvr]

I always love watching them. Awesome pics.

[Bethers]

Me too .. love them. Thanks for the pictures.

[snowball]

they are so impressive
sheila

[Colliemom]

They are amazing to watch. We were treated to a show in Maine one time when we were in New England way back. For a number of years they have been coming here to Traverse city to the National CherryFestival, but they have not been here for about three years or so I think now.

[MandysMom]

We lived for 7 years, across the little valley from the Stead Air Facility, north of Reno. Each fall, the Blue Angels or the US Air Force (plus Canadian Snowbirds) teams flew in. They buzzed our house, because we were under the flight path to the runway. One year I had my Navy Reserve unit over, on the weekend of the Reno Air Races. The Blue Angels knew we were there, because of the Navy Reserve center at Stead, so they flew over us and gave us a wing salute/dip several times. Two years we also met them at the Redding Air Show, as we were asked to set up a first aid station at the air field. So the Blue Angels were in the hanger right behind us and we spent time together. In 1981, when they came to the Reno Air Races, Mel was due for reenlustment for his next 6 year contract. We are allowed to request special details for swearing in ceremonies. Mel requested being sworn in, under the wing of a Blue Angels jet.......by Me (I was a Navy Lieutenant ) . The Navy said yes. So we have great photos as the entire Air Show audience and air crews, watched, as I swore him in and signed his final contract! I have great photos of that day. Much later, we were on an all military cruise in San Francisco bay, during Fleet Week. The Blue Angels were informed who was on the ship, so, once again we got a special show, as, because it was an all Military cruise, we were allowed to stop for a while in the bay, next to their practice flight path. The Blue Angels are very special to me, and are my brothers and sisters Navy wise.
Velda

[JudyJB]

Sounds like some terrific memories, Velda!!

Way back in the 1980s, I worked for two years at the GM Hydra-matic Transmission Plant Headquarters in Ypsilanti, MI. It was the plant that built B-24 bombers during WWII, so it was located on an airport, Willow Run. They used to pull the planes out of the hanger doors at the far end of the plant and fly them off to war. During the 50s and 60s, this was the main airport for Detroit, and the factory built Studebakers until it was converted to a transmission plant a few years later. I used to enjoy walking around the plant and watching the machinery and the big stamping presses when i had nothing to do.

Once each year, there would be a big airshow held at this airfield and the Blue Angels would come a couple of days early to practice. It was always a thrill to watch them buzz the rooftop, but of course you had to be outside to see them, so we used to sneak out of our office to watch when we could. Often the Goodyear blimp would also use this airport so got to see it and a sneak preview airshow from the plant parking lot.

My California son and his family, plus their good friends and kids, were at Fleet Week this year. Don't know how they got there or where they parked, but it sounds like fun.