Gazing at the Flag: Blue Angels

Sunday, April 22, 2007

Blue Angel LtCMD Kevin Davis Soars to Heaven

Lieutenant Commander

Kevin Davis

United States Navy

Opposing Solo

Lieutenant Commander Kevin Davis is a native of Pittsfield, Massachusetts, and graduated from Reading Memorial High School in 1992 where he played football and was active with the Civil Air Patrol. He attended Embry Riddle Aeronautical University, earning a Bachelor of Science degree in Aeronautical Science with honors in 1996.

Kevin reported to Naval Air Station (NAS) Pensacola, Florida, for Officer Candidate School and aviation indoctrination in September 1996. He completed primary flight training at NAS Corpus Christi, Texas, and transferred to NAS Meridian, Mississippi, for intermediate and advanced flight training. While there, he flew the T-2C Buckeye and TA-4J Skyhawk, and received his wings of gold in June 1999.

Kevin reported to Fighter Squadron 101 (VF-101) at NAS Oceana, Virginia, for training in the F-14 Tomcat and was the “Top Stick” in his class. In July 2000 he reported to the VF-11 “Red Rippers” where he completed deployments aboard the aircraft carriers USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN 69) and USS John F. Kennedy (CV 67). While with the “Red Rippers,” Kevin served as the airframes/corrosion branch officer, air-to-ground training officer and head landing signals officer. His deployments included extended operations in the North Arabian Sea and Arabian Gulf in support of Operation Enduring Freedom.

In July 2003, Kevin transitioned to the F/A-18 Hornet through Strike Fighter Squadron 125 (VFA-125) at NAS Lemoore, California, and then reported to the Fighter Composite Squadron (VFC-12) “Omars,” stationed at NAS Oceana, Virginia. While at VFC-12, Kevin served as a Navy adversary pilot providing valuable air-to-air training for fleet squadrons. In December of 2004, Kevin graduated from the United States Navy Fighter Weapons School (TOPGUN) as an adversary pilot. During his tour at VFC-12, Kevin worked as the schedules officer, legal officer, FRS/SFARP officer and assistant operations officer.

Kevin joined the Blue Angels in September 2005. He has accumulated more than 2,500 flight hours and 200 carrier arrested landings. His decorations include the Air Medal, two Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medals, and various personal and unit awards.

Biography from the Blue Angels Official Website.

Lieutenant Commander Kevin Davis was killed April 21, 2007 during a Blue Angels performance in Beaufort, South Carolina.

Farewell, and Walk with God, Kevin Davis. Our thoughts and prayers are with your family and friends and your team at this most difficult time.

Blue Angels Tributes continue below.

Blue Angels

This begins with Fat Albert - the C-130 transport used by the Navy and Marine crew.

Then, we soar with the Blue Angels!

High Flight by John Gillespie Magee, Jr.

High Flight

Oh! I have slipped the surly bonds of Earth
And danced the skies on laughter-silvered wings;
Sunward I’ve climbed, and joined the tumbling mirth
of sun-split clouds, —and done a hundred things
You have not dreamed of—wheeled and soared and swung
High in the sunlit silence. Hov’ring there,
I’ve chased the shouting wind along, and flung
My eager craft through footless halls of air....

Up, up the long, delirious, burning blue
I’ve topped the wind-swept heights with easy grace
Where never lark nor even eagle flew—
And, while with silent lifting mind I’ve trod
The high untrespassed sanctity of space,
Put out my hand, and touched the face of God.

John Gillespie Magee, Jr.

Blue Angels - Who They Are and Photos

The Blue Angels are Navy and Marine pilots, crew and support staff. There are 16 officers and 110 enlisted crew who volunteer to accelerate their careers as pilots, maintenance and support in one of the most demanding and prestigious hi-tech teams around-the Blue Angels.

OFFICERS
To become one of the ten Blue Angel pilots and one Naval flight officer, you must be highly skilled and willing to devote yourself to many hours of demanding practices so that you perform flawlessly at the more than 70 air shows where the Blue Angels appear every year. Above all, you must devote yourself to the team. Team work is essential to the Blue Angels.

The Chief of Naval Air Training selects the Blue Angels Commanding Officer (BOSS). The BOSS must have at least 3,000 tactical jet flight-hours and have commanded a tactical jet squadron. The Commanding Officer flies the Number 1 or lead jet.

The other six F/A-18 pilots each must have a minimum of 1,350 tactical jet hours, and aircraft carrier qualification to serve with the Blue Angels. Each year the Blue Angels choose three tactical (fighter or fighter/attack) jet pilots, two support officers and one Marine Corps C-130 pilot to take the place of departing members.The Marine Corps pilots (three) flying the Transport/Cargo-130G Hercules aircraft (Fat Albert) must be aircraft commander qualified with at least 1,200 flight hours. The Blue Angels maintenance and support crew travels aboard Fat Albert.

THE FAT ALBERT CREW: SUPPORT OFFICERS
The Blue Angels Support Officers are made up of five officers supervising different areas. The officers are chosen based upon their professional ability, military bearing and communication skills. They serve two or three years tour of duty, depending on their position. After their tours of duty are completed the officers return to the fleet.

Maintenance Officer, Flight Surgeon, Administrative Officer, Public Affairs Officer, Supply Officer

ENLISTED TEAM
Command Master Chief, Maintenance Master Chief, Chief Petty Officers and Gunnery Sergeants, Fat Albert Airlines, Crew Coordinators, Administration, Airframes, Aviation Medicine, Avionics, Crew Chiefs, Events Coordination, Life Support, Maintenance Control, Paint Shop, Public Affairs, Power Plants, Quality Assurance, Supply, Video

FAT ALBERT AIRLINES
The squadron's Transport C-130 hercules aircraft, affectionately known as Fat Albert, is the only Marine Corps aircraft permanently assigned to support a Navy squadron. It is flown by an all-Marine Corps crew of three pilots and five enlisted personnel. Fat Albert flies more than 140,000 miles during the course of a show season.

The C-130 carries 25,000 pounds of cargo, 45,000 pounds of fuel, and transports the squadron's support and maintenance crew to each show site.

Fat Albert cruises at 320 knots (approximately 350 miles per hour) at 27,000 feet. Four Allison turboprop-engines producing more than 16,000-shaft horsepower provide the C-130 with the power to land and depart on runways as short as 2,500 feet.

At select show sites, Fat Albert demonstrates its Jet-Assisted Take-Off (JATO) capability. Eight solid-fuel rockets are attached to the sides of the aircraft, four on each side. The rockets allow Fat Albert to take off within 1,500 feet, climb at a 45-degree angle, and attain an altitude of 1,500 feet in seconds.

The following photographs and the captions were sent to me several years ago - Enjoy!