The Blue Angels at Willow Run

The Blue Angels, officially known as the Navy Flight Demonstration Squadron, and their blue and yellow Boeing F/A-18A Hornets returned to Willow Run for the first time since 1999 to take part in Thunder Over Michigan.  The team, with a mix of US Navy and US Marine Corps personnel, draws very large crowds wherever they perform and Willow Run was no exception.

   Commander Kevin Mannix leads a quartet of Blues, with landing gear and tailhooks extended, into the dirty loop during a practise session on Friday 6 July.  On his left wing is #3/Captain Clint Harris, USMC while on his right is #2/Lieutenant Commander Anthony W. Walley The slot position normally occupied by the #4 aircraft is filled here by #7, a two seat Boeing (McDonnell Douglas) F/A-18B Hornet used for VIP and media orientation flights, flown by #4/Lieutenant Commander Thomas R. Winkler.

   The normally-opposing solo pilots fly by together at an impressive speed accompanied by no small amount of noise often referred to as the "sound of freedom".  On the right is Lead Solo #5/Lieutenant Commander John D. Allison followed closely by Opposing Solo #6/Lieutenant Commander Craig R. Olson who returned to the team following the tragic loss of Lieutenant Commander Kevin Davis during a show at MCAS Beaufort, South Carolina in April 2007.

   Showtime and the very tight diamond formation gives the audience a good look at the F-18 topside.

   The opposing solos do their thing!!

   No Blue Angels show would be complete without the squadron's US Marine Corps Lockheed Martin KC-130 Hercules that not only provides transport for squadron personnel but also entertains the audience with a short but dramatic flying display before the team takes to the air.  Fat Albert is caught here in a near 90 degree bank directly overhead during the Friday practise session.

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