Blue Angels week begins

By Brian Livingston / staff writer

The Blue Angels are to air shows what Metallica is to heavy metal.

Sonic thunder!

Just once every four years do Navy and Marine aviators who make up the Blue Angels make an appearance in Lauderdale County. The years in which they don't make a showing here only makes the love affair with the elite flight demonstration team grow even more. Absence does make the heart grow fonder. But fans of flight can quench their thirst this weekend when the Blue Angels thunder in at "Wings Over Meridian 2008."

Ever since 1946 when the Blue Angels were born they have thrilled crowds all around the world with their precision flying abilities. If you've never seen the very best pilots dance across the skies of Lauderdale County, then this is your chance. You will be joining nearly 500 million spectators who have already become fans of the Blue Angels.

But the Navy and Marine aviators won't be the only members of America's military elite making a showing.

The Air Combat Command (ACC) F-22 Raptor and Viper (F-16) East Demonstration teams of the U.S. Air Force will display the awesome capabilities of the newest generation of aircraft in the F-22 Raptor and the venerable F-16 Falcon. The F-22 will make its appearance on Sunday.

The U.S. Air Force Demonstration Teams perform precision aerial maneuvers, demonstrating the unique capabilities of Air Force fighter aircraft. Demo Team Members also exhibit the professional qualities the Air Force develops in the people who fly, maintain and support these aircraft.

Guests won't want to miss the opening of the show when the U.S. Army Special Operations Command parachute demonstration team, known as the Black Daggers, brings in our national ensign as the "Star Spangled Banner" rings out. The team will exit their aircraft from an altitude of 12,500 feet and free fall for about two miles at approximately 120 miles per hour before opening their flexible wing glider parachutes. To perform maneuvers, they will fly their bodies using their hands, arms, legs and shoulders to control their flight.

NAS Meridian's very own T-45C Goshawk, the Navy's newest jet trainer, will also make an appearance to showcase the jet Naval aviators fly in order to become carrier qualified and earn their wings of gold.

Civilian acts include Gene Soucy, who has won many awards as an active air show pilot. Flying his famed "Showcat" biplane, Soucy will deliver thrill after thrill, from gyroscopic tumbling to a heart stopping inverted ribbon cut, to a wing walking act with Teresa Stokes.

Aerobatic pilot Ken "K9" Appezzato from Columbus, Miss., will perform breath-taking stunts in his VORTEX Eagle. Ken's performance pushes the aircraft to the outer edges of its flight envelope in a balanced sequence of graceful barnstormer aerobatics, precise competition figures and powerful gyroscopic tumbles.

Manfred Radius will soar around the sky in his specially built, fully aerobatic sailplane. He will surely make your air show visit a day to remember, by performing several eloquent maneuvers and a grand finale stunt that will leave visitors knowing without a doubt that he is "the king of sailplane aerobatics."

Bill Stein, at the controls of a very fast and agile Edge 540, will amaze the crowd with razor sharp aerobatics. Being part of the former world famous Red Baron Stearman squadron, Stein brings many years of experience to his air show performance.

Another favorite of the weekend lineup will be the War Birds. They will be among the static displays as well as among the performers. We are expecting the following: Stearmans which were the most successful trainers in World War II, L-19 Cessna, L-17 Navion, YAK-52/CJ Russian trainer, T-28 Trojan, T-34 Mentor, C-45 Expeditor, C-47 Skytrain, B-25 Mitchell bomber which was used in all theaters of World War II and will be brought to the air show by the Disabled American Veterans, P-51 Mustang, an F4U-5NL Corsair which was used during the Korean War, YAK-9 Russian fighter, L-39 Albatros Russian jet trainer, and possibly more.

Other static display aircraft expected include: C-17 Globemaster, KC-135 Stratotanker, A-10 Thunderbolt, F-5 Tiger, T-38 Talon, F-18 Hornet; F/A-18 Super Hornet; H-60 Blackhawk, CH-47 Chinook, EA-6B Prowler, T-1 Jayhawk and T-6 Texan.

The gates will open at 9 a.m., the show will begin between 11 a.m. and 11:30 a.m., and admission will be free. Air show parking can be accessed via Highway 39 and Highway 45. Plan to arrive early to avoid long lines.

Concessions will be available.

Items subject to being searched include all bags and vehicles.

Don’t forget to bring:

• Portable lawn chairs (NOT in their bag carriers)

• Sunscreen

• Hearing protection

• Cash (Limited ATM's available)

Authorized Items:

• Small purses

• Clear bags for medical items (i.e., medication) or child infant care

• Portable lawn chairs (NOT in their bag carriers)

• Cameras (still and video) (NOT in camera bags)

• Strollers/wagons

• Blankets

• Umbrellas

Unauthorized Items:

• Coolers

• Backpacks

• Carryall bags

• Large handbags

• Animals/pets

• Bicycles/skateboards/scooters/Heelys/rollerblades

• Kites/balloons

• Weapons, knives, guns

• Camelbaks