VERO BEACH — Large crowds gathered along roadways and driveways throughout the day Friday with eyes skyward as aerial performers, including the elite U.S. Navy Blue Angels, practiced their maneuvers in advance of the Vero Beach Air Show, taking place on Saturday and Sunday at the Vero Beach Airport.
“The Blue Angels are an elite group of personnel; there’s not many of us,” said LS1 (Logistic Specialist) Misty Brown, a member of the flight crew, noting that crew generally serve in three-year rotations.
“To be involved is a supreme honor; It’s the cream of the crop.”
A few lucky members of the media were treated to a demonstration ride aboard the Blue Angels’ C-130 Hercules, the operational workforce plane affectionately known as Fat Albert.
The plane, piloted by Capt. A.J. Harrell and Capt. Dusty Cook, had arrived on Thursday, carrying the Blue Angels maintenance and support teams as well as thousands of pounds of fuel and equipment.
“The level of precision and the amount of detail you have to know is pretty intense,” said Capt. Harrell, after giving instructions to the crew in a language seemingly all their own.
After a gradual takeoff, remaining low to the ground as the landing gear was retracted, things got more hairy, with zero g-force takeoffs and landings – a “maximum effort climb” skyward at a 45-degree angle on the way up, and a steep landing approach angle on the way down.
During the weightless periods, crew members, previously assuring with a grin that “nothing out of the ordinary was going to happen,” held on to a stationary ladder, their feet flying out perpendicular to the floor until gravity was regained.
Those, along with demonstrations of “minimum radius turns” and passes, all are geared to simulate its actual war-time tactical maneuvers. It’s like a fun roller coaster ride for civilians but serious business for those in harm’s way.
“This is eight and one-half minutes; It’s nothing compared to what our armed forces do,” said Harrell. “We get to be the face of the Navy and the Marines, but we all owe thanks to our forces serving around the world.”
Gates to the Vero Beach Air Show will be open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. each day, with opening ceremonies Saturday at 11:30 a.m. and performances beginning at Noon. The main entrance is at the western end of the airport off 43rd avenue, and an army of volunteers and police will direct cars to the numerous free parking sites.
Adult tickets are $20 in advance; $25 at gate, juniors (ages 12 – 15) are $10 or $15, and children (ages 5 – 11) are $8 or $10. Children ages 4 and under are free.
For more details about the Blue Angels and all the other exciting aerial acts, visit www.veroairshow.com.
