To be part of the Blue Angels meant that you not only had to be the 1% but .01% of pilots in the Navy. Blue Angels John Foley Recounts the Day He Burnt Through Paint. And behind many of those awe-inspiring stunts and scenes was John Foley, Blue Angels pilot, entrepreneur, real estate investor, public speaker, and all-around inspiring human being. Before joining Solairus, Foley's U.S. Navy milestones included his assignment as the Commanding Officer/ Flight Leader for the U.S. Navy "Blue Angels" Flight Demonstration Squadron and serving as the Wing Commander for the U.S. Navy's Pacific fleet of fighter aircraft . 0000008830 00000 n The Navy's investigation found that Capt. Foley, John FrancisThe Angels came down from heaven on April 11, 2021 to collect for repose the soul of John Francis Foley, age 21. <> Modifications to each F/A-18E/F include removal of the weapons and replacement with a tank that contains smoke-oil used in demonstrations and outfitting the control stick with a spring system for more precise aircraft control input. /T 187442 [1], The Blue Angels transitioned from propeller-driven aircraft to blue and gold jet aircraft (Grumman F9F-2B Panther) in August 1949. 5 Dirty Roll on Takeoff; No. John "Gucci" Foley, a U.S. Navy aviator and Blue Angels pilot, John "unpacks" the special mindset and practical framework for achieving High Performance and sustaining a true Culture of Excellence. 192 Listens. The Blue Angels and the Navy SEALs have more in common than you think. A typical week during the season has practices at NAS Pensacola on Tuesday and Wednesday mornings. The parameters of each show must be tailored in accordance with local weather conditions at showtime: in clear weather the high show is performed; in overcast conditions a low show is performed, and in limited visibility (weather permitting) the flat show is presented. [72] The squadron canceled performances at the Rockford, Illinois Airfest 45 June and the Evansville, Indiana Freedom Festival Air Show 1112 June to allow additional practice and demonstration training under McWherter's leadership. As he remarks in his new self-help guide, Glad to Be Here, he was the last person in the world to believe that a little kid from rural southwest Georgia, a struggling student, could grow up to be a member of the famous Blue Angels. The Diamond, in tight formation and usually at lower speeds (400mph), performs maneuvers such as formation loops, rolls, and transitions from one formation to another. The Solos showcase the high performance capabilities of their individual aircraft through the execution of high-speed passes, slow passes, fast rolls, slow rolls, and very tight turns. Weve inspired industry leading organizations to reach higher levels of performance. Team headquarters shifted from NAS Corpus Christi, Texas, to NAAS Whiting Field, Florida, on 10 September 1949, announced 14 July 1949. When he founded the company in 2012, skeptics abound especially among investors. Commander John Magda 8 March 1951: Blue Angels (1949, 1950; Commander/Flight Leader 1950): Magda was killed after his F9F-2B Panther was hit by anti aircraft fire while leading a low-level strike mission against North Korean and Chinese communist positions at, Commander Herbert P. Hunter 19 July 1967: Blue Angels (19571959; Lead Solo pilot): Hunter was hit by antiaircraft fire in North Vietnam and crashed in his, Captain Clarence O. Tolbert 6 November 1972: Blue Angels (1968): Tolbert was flying a, Captain Harley H. Hall 27 January 1973: Blue Angels (19701971; Commander/Team Leader 1971): Hall and his co-pilot were shot down by antiaircraft fire in South Vietnam flying their F-4J Phantom II on the last day of the Vietnam War, and they both were officially listed as. . From. john foley blue angels age. Lt. Cmdr. Everyone gave it their best shot, then they finished it off by going to a bar and toasting one another, Foley said. Marine Corps Maj. Charles Moseley and Cmdr. In 1998, CDR Patrick Driscoll made the first "Blue Jet" landing on a "haze gray and underway" aircraft carrier, USS Harry S. Truman (CVN-75). 5 flies a "horizontal loop" pulling seven Gs to maintain a tight radius.). trailer 90 0 obj He is the former lead solo pilot of the Blue Angels, Bestselling Author of Fearless Success, an expert in the How of High Performance teams and 'The Guru of Gratitude.' As a Blue Angel, Foley consistently performed in an extreme, high-stakes environment, flying at speeds of more than 500 miles per hour in formations as close as 18 inches apart. Greg Wooldridge is only commanding officer to lead The Blue Angels for three separate tours. To survive in those circumstances he relied on a culture of high trust, leadership and teamwork. Foley added that the actors spent six months training to look as if they were doing the flying. The demonstration team (with added Angel 6) wore gold flight suits during the first air show that season. What if the legendary Blue Angels Culture of Excellence could be replicated and scaled? Jeff Kuss (Opposing Solo, #6) 2 June 2016: died just after takeoff while performing the Split-S maneuver in his F/A-18 Hornet during a practice run for The Great Tennessee Air Show in, Lt. John R. Dewenter 2 August 1958: landed wheels up at, Lt. Ernie Christensen 30 August 1970: belly-landed his F-4J Phantom at, Cmdr. - John Foley, Blue Angels I had the privilege this week to hear John Foley, former lead solo pilot for the Blue Angels flight demonstration squadron, as one of the keynote speakers at a technology conference Ronald Thompson 18 February 1967: killed when his F-11A Tiger struck the ground during a practice formation loop. $PYtW+,UgUi(HL*YT,]aR]"eDY E. Every team member is a leader driving expectations. John was amazing! The No. Far more than a mantra, it is the secret sauce that separates the best from the rest. WOW > The Keynote Experience - Unique, Experiential, & High-Energy. [75][76] McWherter flew an F/A-18 test flight on 17 August and stated there were no noticeable differences in performance from inside the cockpit. 0000001241 00000 n 0000038448 00000 n 4 slot pilot often flies the No. Monday is an off day for the Blues' demonstration pilots and road crew. The next day, the Blue Angels announced that they were initiating a safety stand-down, canceling their upcoming Naval Academy Airshow and returning to their home base in Pensacola, Florida, for additional training and airshow practice. Most military aircraft are not designed to fly upside downyou need an inverted fuel tank to do so, Foley told the crowd. The rest of the season was cancelled after this incident. After ten appearances with the Hellcats, the Hellcats were replaced by the lighter, faster, and more powerful F8F-1 Bearcats on 25 August. Foley's immediate responsibilities will include oversight of Solairus' Charter Sales division. Kevin J. Davis 21 April 2007: Capt. Line-Abreast Loop the most difficult formation maneuver to do well (No. John King - President. Audiences discover how to inspire success, create commitment, align teams toward a common goal and build unprecedented levels of trust . John donates 10% of his speaking fees to charities through the foundation. Lt. He talks with Mark today about how you can use military communication methods and team building in business. A fifth Bearcat was also added that year. Lt. Dave Anderson (Lead solo) 12 February 1987: ejected from his Hornet after a dual engine flame-out during practice near El Centro, California. Foley showed a clip of a Top Gun camera mans hair flying as a Blue Angel jet passed within inches of the photographers head. I just hope the movie gave the average person a little appreciation for what its like., With Russias aggression toward Ukraine in the headlines, Foley showed a clip of the historic visit his team made to Moscow in 1992 as it became the first U.S. flight team to fly over Moscow. The team flies a "practice" airshow at the show site on Friday. May 26, 2017. Given the green light, he went full afterburners, going supersonic or faster than the speed of sound. In a strange twist, Captain Kuss' fatal crash happened hours after the Blue Angels' fellow pilots in the United States Air Force Thunderbirds suffered a crash of their own, following the United States Air Force Academy graduation ceremony earlier that day. Enlisted members range from E-4 to E-9 and perform all maintenance, administrative, and support functions. 0000010497 00000 n This demonstration not only was the last JATO performance of the squadron, but also the final JATO use of the U.S. Marine Corps. 01:18:45. Cmdr. It's part of his mission to connect a shared 'purpose larger than self' with every organization. 0000025572 00000 n Lt. Amanda Lee was selected to be a F . [2] The "Blues" still employ many of the same practices and techniques used in the inaugural 1946 season. There is no greater keynote on the planet than John Gucci Foley. stream A SNJ was used as a Japanese Zero for dogfights with the Bearcats in air shows. Lt. Amanda Lee has made history as the first woman to serve as a demonstration pilot in the Blue Angels. 1) is the Commanding Officer and is always a Navy commander, who may be promoted to captain mid-tour if approved for captain by the selection board. /Info 49 0 R Eighteen inches apart. Voris was again tasked with assembling the team (he was the first of only two commanding officers to lead them twice). High Performance is a mindset, a process, and a commitment to a culture of excellence that accelerates every day performance and achievement. The Blues transitioned to the two-seat McDonnell Douglas F-4J Phantom II in 1969, nearly always keeping the back seat empty for flight demonstrations. endobj His decorations include the Meritorious Service Medal, four Strike/Flight Air Medals, five Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medals, one Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal, and various personal, unit and service awards. Kuss ejected, but his parachute was immediately engulfed in flames, causing him to fall to his death. The team currently flies the Boeing F/A-18 Super Hornet. Jeff Kuss Opposing Solo died just after takeoff while performing the Split-S maneuver in his Hornet during a practice run for The Great Tennessee Air Show in Smyrna, Tennessee. He had barely climbed out of the cockpit when the maintenance engineer greeted him, shaking his head. [citation needed], In July 2016, Boeing was awarded a $12 million contract to begin an engineering proposal for converting the Boeing F/A-18E/F Super Hornet for Blue Angels use, with the proposal to be completed by September 2017. montana frost depth map; Hola mundo! Commander Raleigh "Dusty" Rhodes[34] during an air show at Beaumont, Texas and added a sixth pilot. Shelly Fox, Trades & Events Manager, NextGen Healthcare, Jeff Myers, Chief Sales and Marketing Officer, Wyndham Vacation Ownership. [28][29][30][31], The Navy Flight Exhibition Team was reorganized and commissioned the United States Navy Flight Demonstration Squadron on 10 December 1973. >> 0000038085 00000 n Lt. Anton M. Campanella (#3 Left Wing) 14 June 1960: killed flying a, Lt. George L. Neale 15 March 1964: killed during an attempted emergency landing at Apalach Airport near, Lt. Cmdr. 0000009629 00000 n He is the former lead solo pilot of the Blue Angels, Bestselling author of Fearless Success, an expert in the How of High Performance teams and "The Guru of Gratitude."As a Blue Angel, John consistently performed in an extreme, high-stakes environment, flying at speeds of more than 500 miles per hour in formations as close as 18 inches apart. /L 188566 [8] The No. As of the 2020 season[update], there have been 272 demonstration pilots in the Blue Angels since their inception.[13][14]. He climbed 58,000 feet into the sky, marveling at the curvature of the earth that he saw. Success is a funny word. In July 1964, the Blue Angels participated in the Aeronaves de Mexico Anniversary Air Show over Mexico City, Mexico, before an estimated crowd of 1.5million people. It can mean so many different things depending on who you ask and what day of the week it is. 14K views, 488 likes, 72 loves, 29 comments, 149 shares, Facebook Watch Videos from Blue Angels Association: John Foley, #5, USN (Ret.) The team's SNJ was also replaced by another Bearcat, painted yellow for the air combat routine, inheriting the "Beetle Bomb" nickname. The name "Blue Angels" also was painted on the Bearcats. [46] The Blue Angels also received special colored flight suits. Fortus Solos flying in carrier landing configuration with No. John is a former lead solo pilot of the Blue Angels, a Sloan Fellow at Stanford School of Business, a top rated Keynote Speaker to over 1500 organizations worldwide, Gratitude Guru, bestselling author and expert in the how of high performance teams. Larry (Hoss) Pearson reportedly was caught having a relationship with a subordinate officer", "Three-Time Blue Angels Boss Greg Wooldridge Launches Campaign for Governor", "Blue Angels Commander Cleared in Navy Scandal", "Freedom of Information Act Request: Russell Bartlett FOIA navy record", "Mannix Relieves Foley as Blue Angel's Commanding Officer", "Blue Angels boss prepares to turn over flying team", "Division of Leadership Education and Development Capt Ryan Bernacchi, USN", "Combat pilot in two wars led Blue Angels", "Smyrna Blue Angels fatal crash one of few in history; last in '07", "Blue Angels crash artifacts found 50 years later", "Narragansett Bay June 4, 1971 (May 30, 2015)", "Blue Angels Pilot Ejects Before Plane Crashes", "Pensacola son remembers father a Navy pilot and Blue Angel 50-year after tragic death", "Harley Hall:Vietnam POW (wearing gold flight suit-1971)", "Mythbusters Episode Features Blue Angels, June 10", "My incredible flight aboard the Blue Angels" By Charles Atkeison, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Blue_Angels&oldid=1139358024, Fat Albert (C-130) high-performance takeoff (Low Transition), Fat Albert Parade Pass (The plane banks around the front of the crowd. Foley added that chemistry is a big part of landing a position with the Blue Angels. 0000005529 00000 n joined the Blue Angels in 1990, served as the narrator, the. /E 44908 Most of the show alternates between maneuvers performed by the Diamond Formation and those performed by the Solos. An estimated 11 million spectators view the squadron during air shows from March through November each year. [53][54] The Blues mission was more on Navy recruiting. The investigation also cited weather and pilot fatigue as additional causes of the crash. John Gucci Foley, far right, was among those attending one of Higher Grounds Heroes Journey fundraisers. The flight surgeon provides team medical services, evaluates demonstration maneuvers from the ground, and participates in each post-flight debrief. Capt. In July 2014, Marine Corps C-130 pilot Capt. John Foley was a solo pilot for the Blue Angels aerobatic formation, a Sloan Fellow at the Stanford School of Business, a Gratitude Guru, and an expert on "how to" in high performing teams. /Root 55 0 R 56 0 obj The separation between the formation of aircraft and their maneuver altitude is gradually reduced over the course of about two months in January and February. If we did that, we'd get all the other side issues. We call this the "Glad to Be Here" mindset. The Blue Angel approach to leadership is unique and inspires trust through confidence, with open and honest communication. John donates 10% of his speaking fees to charities through the foundation. The power and aerodynamics of the Hornet allows them to perform a slow, high angle of attack "tail sitting" maneuver, and to fly a "dirty" (landing gear down) formation loop.[59][60]. In May 1952, the Blue Angels began performing again with F9F-5 Panthers[42] at an airshow in Memphis, Tennessee. With that in mind, Foley treated him to an upside-down flight he would never forget. startxref 0000002125 00000 n John Foley is a cofounder of exercise equipment company Peloton; he resigned as CEO in February 2022 as the stock fell and stepped down as chairman in September 2022. And he did not disappoint, receiving thunderous applause as he offered behind-the-scenes film clips of his time as a Blue Angel, his job entailing flying a jet up to 700 miles an hour within a wingspan of an approaching jet. Our sustainability solutions activate the message with principles and methods teams can use to make elite performance the day-to-day reality. This is what it was, everybody, we ran around the table, and it started with the boss. Foley decided he wanted to be a Blue Angel at 12, after his dad took him to an air show. Add to Playlist. The officer selection process requires pilots and support officers (flight surgeon, events coordinator, maintenance officer, supply officer, and public affairs officer) wishing to become Blue Angels to apply formally via their chain-of-command, with a personal statement, letters of recommendation, and flight records. The show's narrator flies Blue Angels No. LCDR Kieron O'Connor and LT Kevin Colling were returning from a practice flight before an air show when their F/A-18B crashed in a wooded area of south Georgia. Inspiration first ignites the drive for high performance, but the key to long term growth is consistent practice. Reaching that level of excellence required commitment, discipline and trust. [73][74], Between 2 and 4 September 2011 on Labor Day weekend, the Blue Angels flew for the first time with a fifty-fifty blend of conventional JP-5 jet fuel and a camelina-based biofuel at Naval Air Station Patuxent River, Maryland. To boost Navy morale, demonstrate naval air power, and maintain public interest in naval aviation, an underlying mission was to help the Navy generate public and political support for a larger allocation of the shrinking defense budget. In 1967, the Blues toured Europe again, at six sites. %%EOF Awe inspiring storytelling and electrifying video of the legendary Blue Angels in action. John Gucci Foley, the legendary Blue Angels lead solo pilot, has perfected the art of inspiring and instructing organizations big and small to achieve more using the very practices he learned and mastered with the Blue Angels. Navy Commander Anthony Less became the squadron's first "commanding officer" and "flight leader". 0000005921 00000 n John Foley is an American billionaire and business executive who co-founded Peloton. Born: 1971 (age 51 years) John Foley - Executive Chairman - Peloton Interactive - LinkedIn . And, when the group photo was taken, the somewhat belligerent pilot was right next to Foleyin that moment, his best friend. One of the pilots from the Russian Knights Aerobatic Flight Team appeared very aggressive, poking him in the chest with his finger as he tried to establish his dominance, saying You pilot, me pilot.. However, if we were to look at success as improvement upon what ever it is you are, whether that be your life, your career, or your business, then there. Flying upside down, your eyeballs start to push out of your skull, and it hurts, he added. He suffered minor injuries. It supports independent organizers who want to create a TED-like event in their own community. The Blue Angels performed their first public flight demonstration from their first training base and team headquarters at Naval Air Station (NAS) Jacksonville, Florida, on 15 and 16 June 1946,[33] with three F6F-5 Hellcats (a fourth F6F-5 was held in reserve). John Foley, chief executive of M&G, swings an axe to relieve the stress of running an underperforming 367bn savings and investment business. . John Fogg, Lt. Marlin Wiita, and Lt. Cmdr. Skip Umstead (Team Leader), Capt. This show is attended by invited guests but is often open to the general public. The trick is knowing how and WHEN to convert skeptics into superfans. John was one of them, and the Lord could no longer bear Heaven witho We help you cultivate greater teamwork, leadership, trust, and performance from everyone in your organization. [71] On 26 May, the Blue Angels announced they would not be flying their traditional fly-over of the Naval Academy Graduation Ceremony and that they were canceling their 2829 May 2011 performances at the Millville Wings and Wheels Airshow in Millville, New Jersey. [27], The Blue Angels demonstration teams began wearing leather jackets and special colored flight suits with the Blue Angels insignia, in 1952. To survive in those circumstances he relied on a culture of high trust, leadership and teamwork. The squadron (due to a shortage of pilots, and no available planes) and its members were ordered to "combat-ready status" after an exhibition at Naval Air Station, Dallas, Texas on 30 July. Beginning in 1975, "Bert" was used for Jet Assisted Take Off (JATO) and short aerial demonstrations just prior to the main event at selected venues, but the JATO demonstration ended in 2009 due to dwindling supplies of rockets. )", "Navy Relieves Commander of Miramar Air Station: Military: Capt. Lt. Cmdr Stu Powrie (Lead Solo) 22 February 1982: killed when his Skyhawk struck the ground during winter training at Naval Air Facility El Centro, California, just after a dirty loop. Capt. A spokesman for the team would not confirm the identity of the pilot removed from the team. 0000001613 00000 n Once aboard the aircraft carrier USSPrinceton on 9 November, the group formed the core of Fighter Squadron 191 (VF-19), "Satan's Kittens", under the command of World War II fighter ace and 1950 Blue Angels Commander/Flight Leader, Lt. The team then flies to its show venue for the upcoming weekend on Thursday, conducting "circle and arrival" orientation maneuvers upon arrival. Rear Admiral Ralph Davison personally selected Lieutenant Commander Roy Marlin "Butch" Voris, a World War II fighter ace, to assemble and train a flight demonstration team, naming him Officer-in-Charge and Flight Leader. The Blue Angels is a flight demonstration squadron of the United States Navy. * This specific fee falls within this range. He has also served as a president of Barnes & Noble. Lt. Ross "Robby" Robinson 29 September 1946: killed during a performance when a wingtip broke off his F8F-1 Bearcat, sending him into an unrecoverable spin. John Foley: In the Blue Angels, we did things a little bit differently. The team, composed of six Navy and one Marine Corps demonstration pilot, fly Boeing F/A-18 Super Hornets. [64] At the next performance at Lackland Air Force Base following the announcement the No. March 16, 2014", "US Navy Blue Angels 1st Air Show in 2014 on March 15 at El Centro California", "Harley Hall:Vietnam POW (wearing BA gold flight suit-1971)", "History of the Blue Angels/Significant Events in Blue Angels History, 1970s", "Seventy Years Strong: The U.S. Navy's Blue Angels", "Flight Teams, 1950 (Flight Leader John Magda, second from right)", "A Blue Angel's First Combat Flight at Midway", "Former Blue Angels pilot tells what inspired him to fly", 2 Blue Angels found guilty, await punishment, "A (Potentially) Disgraced Angel (updated)", "Blue Angels Lynchburg Va. 2011 was this the problem formation? 55 0 obj . Okay, okay, okay, the pilot mumbled as he regained consciousness. Kuss' body was recovered just yards away from the crash site. Performance beyond the Blue Angels | John Foley | TEDxTysonsSalon - YouTube What separates the best of the best and makes for elite teams? From performance to leadership to teamwork and trust, his performances are an experience that will inspire everyone to perform at a level higher than they previously thought possible. We start with a conversation with John Foley, the 49-year-old entrepreneur behind Peloton, which is experiencing surging demand for the connected exercise bikes the company pioneered, transforming . Foley decided he wanted to be a Blue Angel at 12, after his dad took him to an air show. Extensive aircraft maintenance is performed on Sunday evening and Monday by maintenance team members. And we fly lower to the ground, closer to one another, than any other team.. In 1992, the Blue Angels deployed for a month-long European tour, their first in 19 years, conducting shows in Sweden, Finland, Russia (first foreign flight demonstration team to perform there), Romania, Bulgaria, Italy, the United Kingdom, and Spain. In 1970, the Blues received their first U.S. Marine Corps Lockheed KC-130F Hercules, manned by an all-Marine crew. 0000040681 00000 n Jake Adicoff Continues to Rack Up the Medals, Casting for Recovery to Offer Retreat for Women Impacted by Breast Cancer. John consistently performed in an extreme, high-stakes environment, flying at speeds of more than 500 miles per Our distinctive approach to creating an actionable training environment allows each participant to apply each skill in a way that increases their long-term success. Pat Moneymaker 23 January 1990: their Blue Angel Hornets suffered a mid-air collision during a practice at El Centro. Lt. Cdr. Bob Clarke replaced Butch Voris as the leader of the team. Moseley ejected safely and Moneymaker was able to land his airplane, which then required a complete right wing replacement. In May 1947, flight leader Lt. Cmdr. Commander John Magda; he was killed in action on 8 March 1951.[41]. Voris selected three fellow instructors to join him (Lt. Maurice "Wick" Wickendoll, Lt. Mel Cassidy, and Lt. Cmdr. We are the community leader, publishing 7 days a week. Dick Oliver 2 September 1966: crashed his F-11A Tiger and was killed at the. [26], The original Blue Angels insignia or crest was designed in 1949, by Lt. [63] On 30 October 2008, a spokesman for the team announced that the team would complete its last three performances of the year with five jets instead of six. Lloyd Barnard, veterans of the War in the Pacific), and they spent countless hours developing the show. No one knows this better than Peloton Co-founder and CEO John Foley, who has one of the most epic "No-to-Yes" stories in startup history. Years later, he found himself training Tom Cruise and others for the moving Top Gun.. [84], On 2 June 2016, Capt. [62], In 2000, the Navy was conducting investigations in regard and connected to the loss of two Blue Angels pilots in October 1999. Lt. Larry Watters 14 February 1972: killed when his F-4J Phantom II struck the ground, upright, while practicing inverted flight, during winter training at NAF El Centro. Were all going the same way. In 1958, the first Six-Plane Delta Maneuvers were added that season. 0000004926 00000 n Navy and Marine Corps F/A-18 demonstration pilots and naval flight officers are required to have a minimum of 1,250 tactical jet hours and be carrier-qualified. The team's first demonstration with Grumman F6F-5 Hellcat aircraft took place before Navy officials on 10 May 1946 and was met with enthusiastic approval. John has performed these death-defying stunts for . 54 38 Welcome to the team. Control sticks are tensioned with 40 pounds (18kg) of force to allow the pilot minimal room for non-commanded movement of the aircraft. He was replaced by Captain Greg McWherter, the team's previous commanding officer. Reaching that level of excellence required commitment, discipline and trust. While Foley admits the adrenaline rush he got as a Blue Angel was pretty special, he said even more important than the flying was the team and its mission. In August, "Blues" leader LCDR Ray Hawkins became the first naval aviator to survive an ejection at supersonic speeds when a new F9F-6 he was piloting became uncontrollable on a cross-country flight. [32], The Blue Angels were established as a Navy flight exhibition team on 24 April 1946 by order of Chief of Naval Operations Admiral Chester Nimitz to generate greater public support of naval aviation. 0000043723 00000 n they have even more significance to me today. 26,422 views | John Foley TEDxTysonsSalon Like (792) Performance beyond the Blue Angels Talk details Discover new TED Courses! [citation needed]. Awe inspiring storytelling and electrifying video of the legendary Blue Angels in action. [51] The first demonstration was flying the short-nosed version on 23 March, at Barin Field, Pensacola, and then the long-nosed versions. 0000040021 00000 n During winter training, the pilots fly two practice sessions per day, six days a week, to fly the 120 training missions needed to perform the demonstration safely. The program has donated over $2 million to 380+ charities and impacted thousands of lives globally including sponsoring 47 children in 47 countries. BLUe aNGeLS John Foley "G lad to Be Here." those four words meant something very special to me when I was a Blue angel.