Blue Angels/T-Birds grounded, er, I mean, season cancelled.

[SLH350]

http://edition.cnn.com/2013/04/09/us/military-air-shows/index.html?hpt=hp_c3

Well, so much for catching a show this year.

 

[mtaylor]

Bummer. Thanks for sharing though.
No one wants to cut something like the Angels but I guess in times like these they're seen as not quite as necessary as other aspects of the budget.

 

[scoolbubba]

I thought something might be up considering how two weeks ago they were practicing on a tuesday, but today was strangely quiet at KNPA.

 

[Renegade One]

Hey…let's "look on the bright side" and "think outside the box":

1. The NFDS is a fully-formed, well-manned F/A-18 squadron that has:
A. At any one time, 15-17 strike fighters assigned, (mostly As and Cs, with several Ds…think FAC/A) ALL of which (or so the American public has been told for decades…) can "be returned to fleet configuration within 72 hours". (Ahem…Boeing…if you're listening…"Now's your time!")
B. Two C-130 aircraft assigned…in-flight refuelers and LOG haulers…so I'd expect they can "self TRANSPAC"…or nearly so.
C. A great existing cadre of DHs and middle-grade fleet-experienced pilots and top-notch ground personnel.

2. Assign a reinforcement cadre of other experienced folks and some CAT A JOs and flesh-out the required manning to support radars, weapons systems, ordnance, etc., and re-designate as VFAC-46 (for "composite", and a head-nod to their establishment in 1946?)

3. So…how about we "Press to Test" and mobilize/man/quick-qualify this stellar organization into a "possible pump" asset to the Korean peninsula?

The movie script is writing itself…there's butter…actual butter…coming out of my keyboard here.

 

[BusyBee604]

Hey…let's "look on the bright side" and "think outside the box":
So…how about we "Press to Test" and mobilize/man/quick-qualify this stellar organization into a "possible pump" asset to the Korean peninsula?

The movie script is writing itself…there's butter…actual butter…coming out of my keyboard here.

Their next show could be a Blue Angel supersonic diamond low flyby over KJU's Pyongyang palace (heading for "feet wet")!

BzB

 

[jmcquate]

Are they canceling the NAS air shows?

 

[Alpha_Echo_606]

Are they canceling the NAS air shows?

Yes, as of now they will continue to practice for when the budget crisis is resolved.

 

[PropAddict]

It's sad. . .but I think Big Navy got one right.

When fleet squadrons don't have enough hours to make minimum T+R requirements at home and deployed squadrons have to drop operational missions due solely to budget cuts, PR flights ought to be cut, too.

 

[Catmando]

I always thought the Blues were the greatest. Still do. I even chased them once upon a time.

However when I was a newly designated and naïve RAG F-4 student, I listened to an instructor rail against the Blues. His point was that there was a war going on, the Navy was short on F-4s not to mention their men and equipment that was much needed in SEA.

I was shocked! But it did temper my perspective, both then and now.

 

[jtmedli]

I always thought the Blues were the greatest. Still do. I even chased them once upon a time.

However when I was a newly designated and naïve RAG F-4 student, I listened to an instructor rail against the Blues. His point was that there was a war going on, the Navy was short on F-4s not to mention their men and equipment that was much needed in SEA.

I was shocked! But it did temper my perspective, both then and now.

Agreed. The first emotion is to be a little upset, but one has to remember that entire CVWs are being shutdown and fleet aviators are being grounded (which will probably screw them in the long run in one way or another). No sense in putting on the "everything's fine" face for the airshow circuit.

 

[HuggyU2]

Yes, as of now they will continue to practice for when the budget crisis is resolved.

I'm pretty sure that is not the case.
They will have 11 hours per month of flying, and will utilize those hours to do PA, build maintain/relationships, etc...
As for staying proficient for demos, don't expect anything until they return to El Centro.

 

[Alpha_Echo_606]

I'm pretty sure that is not the case.
They will have 11 hours per month of flying, and will utilize those hours to do PA, build maintain/relationships, etc...
As for staying proficient for demos, don't expect anything until they return to El Centro.

From the article.
"The Navy said the Blue Angels will continue to train at their base in Pensacola, Florida, for when the budget crunch ends."

 

[HuggyU2]

If they can do it on 11 hours per month, then so be it.

 

[Ralph]

Will the Navy and Marines fighter units be grounded like the AF?

 

[FlyingOnFumes]

Hey…let's "look on the bright side" and "think outside the box":

1. The NFDS is a fully-formed, well-manned F/A-18 squadron that has:
A. At any one time, 15-17 strike fighters assigned, (mostly As and Cs, with several Ds…think FAC/A) ALL of which (or so the American public has been told for decades…) can "be returned to fleet configuration within 72 hours". (Ahem…Boeing…if you're listening…"Now's your time!")
B. Two C-130 aircraft assigned…in-flight refuelers and LOG haulers…so I'd expect they can "self TRANSPAC"…or nearly so.
C. A great existing cadre of DHs and middle-grade fleet-experienced pilots and top-notch ground personnel.

2. Assign a reinforcement cadre of other experienced folks and some CAT A JOs and flesh-out the required manning to support radars, weapons systems, ordnance, etc., and re-designate as VFAC-46 (for "composite", and a head-nod to their establishment in 1946?)

3. So…how about we "Press to Test" and mobilize/man/quick-qualify this stellar organization into a "possible pump" asset to the Korean peninsula?

The movie script is writing itself…there's butter…actual butter…coming out of my keyboard here.

You READ MY MIND!

Bring back the Satan's Kittens!