fourlocks Loc: Londonderry, NH

I've read the same thing although when they work right; they're pretty much unbeatable. American planes always rely on the latest, cutting-edge electronics to give them an edge but that makes then very finicky with a high percentage kept on the ground for repairs/maintenance. Same with the F-22. The Russians make less advanced, but far more rugged planes. Before a F-35 or F-22 can take off, the runway must be policed to remove any foreign objects like a cigarette butt or leaf. Russian jets can take off from a grass runway. Not sure where the Chinese fit in.

Indi Loc: L. I., NY, Palm Beach Cty when it's cold.

We watch the air shows at Jones Beach on Long Island every year. Of course it alternates between the B-A’s & the T-Birds but I always found the Blue Angels put on the better show.

Charles Whittier

Congratulations on a beautiful shot.

Don W-37 Loc: Bangkok, Thailand

Fully agree!! You are in a "state of confusion." The Navy Blue Angels and Air Force Thunderbirds are great recruiting tools, plus they show uninformed citizens what their military is capable of doing!!
👍🙂👍

John_F Loc: Minneapolis, MN

Would this shot have been taken at the Naval Air Training base at Kingsville, Texas. Was stationed there 1954-1956.

Toby

Expensive? Damn right, but I want the best in the world for our defense and the protection of our human pilots. I can think of multiple areas where out government wastes mony on less important things.

A showoff? You bet. I like to see what we have in our arsenal and who, after seeing one of these preform, wouldn't want to be a pilot or at least part of this team. Incidently, the pilots are only on the team for a few years and then they move on. Nearly all either have combat experience or will get it after this assignment. Any precision flying will help them in other assignments.

phlash46 Loc: Westchester County, New York

I'd prefer a 100 F-15's with advanced avionics to 10 F-35's and they'd cost about the same!

jaymatt Loc: Alexandria, Indiana

raymondh Loc: Walker, MI

The pilots are impressive!

JayRay Loc: Missouri

Very cool!
Thanks for sharing!

Retired CPO Loc: Travel full time in an RV

When we talk about $$$ per flight hour we aren't just talking burned fuel. We're talking maintenance, parts, transportation for maintainers etc. Not only a great recruitment tool but great practice for pilots and crew. The walkdown on the flightline that was mentioned is to remove nuts, bolts, wire, tools, parts etc.. But not cigarette butts or leaves although those are also picked up since we are out there anyway. I might point out that cigarettes are strictly forbidden on military flightlines. It's called a FOD (foreign object damage) walkdown and is performed to prevent the jet engine intakes from picking up stuff and feeding it to the engines. It's also to prevent
the jet blast from blowing all that stuff around into the maintainers faces and other jet intakes. Some jets and other aircraft are designed to be able to operate on rough fields with engines located higher up off the ground. The A-10 Warthog is a good example. As far as the build design between Russian and American warbirds is concerned The Russians are like a 1930 Ford pickup and the Americans are like a 2020 Mercedes Coup.

Retired CPO Loc: Travel full time in an RV

The maintainers are pretty impressive too

Bob Mevis Loc: Plymouth, Indiana

An amazing shot, Sam.

scooter1 Loc: Yacolt, Wa.

Have controlled the Blue angels when in the navy. Have never seen AF and navy together. Nice!

RiJoRi Loc: Sandy Ridge, NC

Ahhh, that brings back the memories. We lived in Amityville for a while, and seeing those babies go overhead at maybe 100 feet was awe-inspiring!

Then there was the time I was at the shopping center just north of Republic, and one took off. EVERY car alarm in the lot sounded! :D