Darkness.
Rock music?
Why is there a blue jet in front of me?
Oh! I'm part of the Blue Angel practice today!
I successfully made it through the first 7.5-G maneuver. On the second, I lost a bit of vision around the edges. On the 3rd, naptime. Repeat.
I've kept up with my friend Declan for years. He was in my first fleet squadron in San Diego and I've bumped in to him sporadically since then. He's on his last tour before retirement: Maintenance Officer for the Blue Angels (the grand finale of an impressive career!). A few months ago he asked if I'd be interested in flying with them, to which I answered, "Yes! and When?" Yesterday he made it happen.
I will not do this day justice in writing with regard to its level of Epic. Judge my priorities if you must, but it will remain in my memories alongside life experiences such as the births of my children and Andrew's & my wedding on the Blackwater River. Perhaps this is the category of 'Things I will never regret but also have the ability to completely kick my a$$.'
Declan escorted me and my Aunt & Uncle in to the squadron spaces where he gave us a brief tour, showed them to VIP seating, and ushered me to the ready room. The BLUE ANGELS' ready room. Soon after filed in a trickle of support personnel and pilots, and despite the level of celebrity present, I felt at home in this environment of Naval aviators and the people who safely send us off. I won't go in to the seemingly sacred rituals and professionalism that I witnessed throughout the brief, because I believe those are for the folks who have earned their place in that room, and the few of us fortunate enough to be invited in for a glimpse. But I will share this: The last thing the pilots did was pray together.
Nate Barton is the #4 "Slot" pilot and he'd hold my life in his hands for an hour. We went through API (flight school indoc) just a few months apart. My peer is now a senior Blue Angel. Nate reiterated much of what Declan said would happen during the flight and added, "I have zero expectation for you to contribute to the flight today." Well, good!
My very own crew chief got me strapped in, showed me how to turn on the GoPro pointed at my face, and reminded me not to pull the ejection handle once it's "hot." Roger that. How about I just keep my hands on these 'Oh sh!t' handles conveniently located at shoulder height.
Then the boys sharply marched out, hopped in, closed the canopy, and fired up the engines.
Oh. My. Word.
This is happening!!!!!!!!!!!!!
We taxiied out in an organized fashion that reminded me of Kindergarteners heading out to recess. Boss (squadron CO, an O-6), was lively and calming on the radios from the get-go until after landing. His voice was a constant presence with an experienced cadence that could not help but be followed with graceful precision, obedience, and the urge to please. (Not that it was any of my business. But his leadership seemed so natural, and appropriately tailored to the team.)
And we were off.
The first half of the flight was a lot of, "Ooohh, wow!" What a gorgeous day! Look how close that airplane is! I wonder if his wingtip will lightly bump our canopy? (It's only 10-12 inches away, after all.) "Wheeee, we're upside-down!" "Look, Ma, I'm hanging by my seat belt! My knees are floating!" Boss said we could take pictures! Aileron rolls are fun! 'So that's what afterburner looks like 5 feet over my head!' We're screaming down at the earth but I'm not afraid! "I'm .... so ..... happy.......!!!"
The second half of the flight was GAME ON.
Nate impressed the hell out of me. Not only was he DOING THIS, he was narrating everything that was coming up so I'd have some warning - especially for the high-G maneuvers. Once things got ... 'heated,' I could hear him breathing and working hard over the hot-mike while still keeping his passenger in mind. Somewhere in between blackouts the narration became abbreviated to, "here comes another tough one," and, "you still with me, T-Rex?"
I will admit that I started watching the clock on the Go-Pro sometime during this phase of the flight. My barf bag came out but was surprisingly not needed.
We finally pulled through one more turn which I miraculously remember, and came in for landing. "We'll be doing this landing at 140 knots," No. 4 says. "I'm used to landing at zero!" I reply. Apparently that's pretty funny to a jet guy.
As we rolled in and waved to the mob standing in front of the museum, I reiterated, "I can't believe you do this EVERY DAY." Nate assured me that he's used to it and said, "I'd probably be sick to my stomach landing a helicopter on the back of a boat in pitching seas at night time." His humility blew my mind. Or maybe we just understood each other since we all do start with the same indoctrination.
As soon as we shut down, I puked in my bag and wiped my mouth on my sleeve. Gross.
I somehow made it down the ladder and then the Blue Angels decided to play a joke on me and take my picture with the entire team. The world was spinning and I wasn't sure what my body was going to do next. "Cheeeese!!!"
During the debrief Declan stood me up for a few words. I was floored by what he said about my friendship. I underestimate what kindness and keeping in touch means to people, because the two are so rarely, consistently received.
I got some pretty sweet SWAG which only pushed the team's hospitality over the top. They had been nothing but welcoming from the moment I stepped in to the ready room.
My good friend also pointed out to the team that he'd chosen me for the flight because, having left Active Duty and come back, I had a real appreciation for Naval Aviation. He's right. I have tried to quit three times and this is the path to which I always stagger back. In order to be volunteered for a ride, one has to be Active Duty or a high-[positive]-press celebrity. To the list of things I would have missed out on, add "Best seat in the house."
'Appreciation' is only one word to describe my relationship with this calling. I occasionally cross another pilot who has that twinkle in his/her eye for what we do -- one which I constantly tried to impart on all my students at Whiting -- And I am beyond thankful for the re-charge of that spark today.
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