SkyWatch Friday: Blue Angels Bliss
My son, Airman Andrew, USAF, serves as a Boom Operator (In-Flight Refueling Technician) for the Tennessee Air National Guard.
That means that nearly every day, he is in the air over the United States (usually in the Southeast, at least so far), manning the boom of a KC-135 Stratotanker, filling up everything from F-16 fighters to C-17 transports.
It's like a flying filling station. Andrew is the fuel pump jockey.
On Wednesday this week, Andrew refueled a bevy of gorgeous blue Boeing F/A-18 Hornets being flown by the Blue Angels, the U.S. Navy Flight Demonstration Squadron.
Somewhere in the airspace between Columbia (Andrew often flies to South Carolina from McGhee Tyson Air National Guard Base in Knoxville and circles over our heads, working) and Washington DC, he took this picture:
How's that for some wild blue yonder?
The Angels were en route to an air show in Rhode Island.
After the six thirsty birds were full, they put on a mini show for the stratotanker flight crew.
Brought to you courtesy of Airman Andrew and the 134th Air Refueling Wing, Tennessee Air National Guard.
God Bless America
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Happy Friday
Reader Comments (12)
WOW, what a beautiful picture! That blue is just so crisp and BLUE! My step son works on the c-17's so he's always sending pics of those planes. I like these better, lol!
Oh my goodness....I have admired the Blue Angels forever! I am so proud of your son to be able to be a Boom Operator. I actually saw this done once from the ground not from the sky. While fishing in a small lake in Wisconsin two planes stalled up above us and fueled up. Fishing trips can be eye openers for many things. Thanks for sharing this photograph. Now I have seen a plane fuel up in the sky not from the ground. What a gift!
JM Illinois
So, so cool! We've seen the Blue Angels a few times, but never with that viewpoint.
What an amazing job Andrew has!
Wow! Very impressive shots!
Check that oil?? Wow, an incredible photo!
Last time I saw the Blue Angels, I was 5. My parents actually knew one of their pilots in the early 60s.
Wow, incredible shot and video. You are understandably proud of your son. You get the post of the day as far as I am concerned.
What a great image! It must be so good to fly everyday and be able to sleep on your own bed - I only get to fly when I go away!
Cheers - Stewart M - Melbourne
Now that's a view of a Blue Angel I've not seen! Great photo. Tell him to wave if he flies over Virginia Beach (Oceana NAS) on his rounds. :)
Breathtakingly beautiful...hat tip to Andrew.
WOW! Too cool for school! ;-)
Yes, when he flies over Waco, I wave!!Hahaaa
LOVE the Blue Angels and that's a fantastic shot!!
hughugs