Blue Angels instructors speak to Patterson students (Photo: AFJROTC)

By Mikal McCoy,

Since 1946, the beginning of the Blue Angels, the U.S. Navy has flown their aircraft, performing for the public’s view.  Admiral Chester Nimitz organized a flight team in the past that were responsible for performing in their aircrafts for the public. The flight team’s first air show was on June 15, 1946 in Jacksonville, Florida. Back then, in 1946, planes weren’t as fast and accurate as they are now in the 21^st century. Due to military progress and advancements in technology, over years planes have improved.

The presentation at Patterson was given in the auditorium by representatives and pilots of the Blue Angels. The audience was composed of Patterson’s AFJROTC cadets and other students who were invited to attend. Representatives and pilots spoke to students about what the Blue Angels are, what they do, and how it felt to fly in one of their high speed aircrafts.

According to an article on aol.com, “The F/A-18 Hornet fighter jets are capable of reaching speeds of just under Mach 2, almost twice the speed of sound — or about 1,400 mph”. Patterson students were pretty amazed at the stories they were being told. After the presentation, to show appreciation for the Blue Angels visit, Sgt. Smith, AFJROTC instructor, with help of students, gave Patterson T-shirts to the Blue Angels representatives. In return, the pilots gave a poster to Patterson. When the presentation was over, students returned back to class while the Blue Angels returned to work.

In downtown Baltimore, the Blue Angels flew over Baltimore’s Inner Harbor, participating in Maryland’s Fleet Week 2016. Fleet Week is an event that is celebrated to promote the United States Navy. On October 15^th and 16^th, the Blue Angels performed using their aircrafts for the public to see what their aircrafts are capable of doing.

Learning to fly fast planes can be difficult, but the challenge is its own reward.

The Blue Angels flew overhead during Patterson’s Homecoming game. (Photo: Lionell Green, Patterson Press)