May 2005
I was lucky enough to be able to make it to a special DoD employee preview of AirFest 2005 at NAS JRB Willow Grove. The highlight of this year's show was the Blue Angels Navy Flight Demonstration Squadron. They are a truly amazing sight to witness. Sadly, Willow Grove was closed by BRAC shortly after.
Blue Angels 2 & 3 on the tarmac
Blue Angel 1 on the tarmac
"Herb & Ditto" is a T-28 Trojan "Ditto"
"Herb & Ditto" is a T-28 Trojan "Ditto"
C-130 cargo plane assigned to USAF 913th Airlift Wing based right here at NAS JRB Willow Grove
F/A-18 Super Hornet from Strike Fighter Squadron 106 (VFA-106) just after arriving for the show
HH-60H Seahawk helicopter from Helicopter Combat Support Special Squadron (HCS-4)
C-9 assigned to Fleet Logistics Support Squadron 52 (VR-52) from right here at NAS JRB Willow Grove. "The Taskmasters" is one of the great squadrons I worked with in my old job
The Skytypers - these WWII era planes "type" messages in the sky that are over 8 miles long and can be seen over a 400 square mile area.
P-3 Orion assigned to Patrol Squadron 66 (VP-66) "The Liberty Bells" based here at NAS JRB Willow Grove. PATRON 66 is one of the great squadrons I worked with in my old job.
F/A-18 Super Hornet from Strike Fighter Squadron 106 (VFA-106) just after arriving for the show
Fat Albert (a Marine Corps C-130 assigned to the Blue Angels) on approach to NAS JRB Willow Grove
Fat Albert (a Marine Corps C-130 assigned to the Blue Angels) landing at NAS JRB Willow Grove
Fat Albert (a Marine Corps C-130 assigned to the Blue Angels) landing at NAS JRB Willow Grove
The Showcopters are quite unique. They are the only aerobatic helicopters I've seen.
A-10 Warthog from the 111th Fighter Wing of the PA Air National Guard based at NAS JRB Willow Grove taking off. When I worked at WG I loved watching these guys train.
Shockwave Jet Truck - as fast as you're ever going to see a Peterbilt truck travel!
Shockwave Jet Truck - as fast as you're ever going to see a Peterbilt truck travel!
A-10 Warthog from the 111th Fighter Wing of the PA Air National Guard based at NAS JRB Willow Grove taking off. When I worked at WG I loved watching these guys train.
A-10 Warthogs from the 111th Fighter Wing of the PA Air National Guard based at NAS JRB Willow Grove taking off. When I worked at WG I loved watching these guys train.
A-10 Warthog from the 111th Fighter Wing of the PA Air National Guard based at NAS JRB Willow Grove taking off. When I worked at WG I loved watching these guys train.
A-10 Warthog from the 111th Fighter Wing of the PA Air National Guard based at NAS JRB Willow Grove taking off. When I worked at WG I loved watching these guys train.
The Blue Angels Navy Flight Demonstration Squadron were the highlight of the show
US Air Force F-16 Viper - this guy pulled a 9G turn
Blue Angel 1 taxiing before takeoff
The Blue Angels Navy Flight Demonstration Squadron taxiing before takeoff
The Blue Angels taking off
The Blue Angels in the diamond formation
The Blue Angels diamond formation with the solo plane gaining fast
The Blue Angels - Yes, #1 is upside down
The Blue Angels in their echelon formation
Blue Angel 5 flying upside down
All 6 Blue Angels in formation
All 6 Blue Angels in formation
The entire Blue Angels Flight Demonstration Squadron performing their fleur de leis maneuver