The US Navy Flight Demonstration Squadron, Blue Angels, hosted their peers from the U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds, the Canadian Forces Snowbirds, as well as the U.S. Navy Leapfrogs and U.S. Army Golden Knights parachute demonstration teams for a series of practice exhibitions at Naval Air Station (NAS) Pensacola, Fla., May 9-11.

It marked the first time in more than two seasons that the teams were able to meet and become familiar with each other’s training regimens, briefing processes and overall team dynamics.

“This was a superb opportunity for each jet demonstration team to conduct an exchange of ideas and fortify relationships,” said Cmdr. Steve Foley, the Blue Angels’ flight leader and commanding officer. “We’ve all been afforded an amazing opportunity to witness each other’s demonstrations, but more importantly, to continue to build great friendships with our counterparts in the military aerial demonstration community.”

Department of Defense regulations prohibit the Blue Angels and Thunderbirds from performing within 150 miles of each other in order to prevent unwanted competition between air show crowds, which is why it’s uncommon for the teams to watch each other perform. Additionally, coordinating a time and location when all three North American jet demonstration teams would be in the same geographic area has been particularly tough during the past two years.

"The exchange was a great experience for all involved," said Lt. Col. Mike Chandler, the Thunderbirds' flight leader and commanding officer. "The professionalism displayed by all teams was amazing. We will be able to learn from our experiences and take back some new ideas and possibly improve our processes and make great teams even better."

Since the reunion’s focus was primarily for training purposes, the NAS Pensacola flight line was closed to the general public and media to avoid distractions. However, according to Nathaniel Robinson, marketing director for the National Museum of Naval Aviation, more than 5,500 people showed up between May 10 and 11 to watch the practices from the museum’s viewing stands.

“It’s kind of hard to hide the fact that there were dozens of parachutists and someone else’s jets flying through our skies,” Robinson said. “Ordinarily, we expect the usual crowds of about 2,000 people each Tuesday and Wednesday to watch the Blues practice, but this week was a fantastic treat for Pensacola and those vacationing here.”

The reunion week wasn’t for just the pilots, either. All three of the jet teams’ maintenance crews spent valuable time working together, learning about each other’s equipment, socializing and participating in the traditional Blues vs. Thunderbirds softball game, in which the losing team earns a not-so-coveted 60-pound, blue and red toilet as a “trophy.”

As Thursday approached, all five teams said goodbye as they prepared for their standard routine of transiting to the next gig - the Frogs leapt to Baltimore, Md., the Knights galloped to Tyndall Air Force Base (AFB), Fla., while the Snowbirds and Thunderbirds flocked to Tyndall AFB, Fla. and Langley AFB, Va., respectively.

Meanwhile, the Angels soared to Barksdale AFB, La., looking forward to another opportunity to practice with their peers. [ANN Salutes Lt. Garrett Kasper, Navy Flight Demonstration Squadron PA]

FMI: www.navy.mil