[MilCom] Blues Angels back in the sky

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http://www.pnj.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070501/NEWS01/705010322

Blues Angels back in the sky Practice is first since tragic crash

Melissa Nelson
Associated Press

 The U.S. Navy's Blue Angels roared above Pensacola Naval Air Station on Monday,
twisting and flying in formation just nine days after a pilot's death at a South
Carolina air show.

The team's first practice following the April 21 death of Lt. Cmdr. Kevin Davis
concluded with a flyover by the U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds, who honored Davis by flying
in the "Missing Man" formation.

Only five of the traditional six F/A-18A Hornets flew Monday before fewer than 30
spectators. The Blue Angels have not announced if the team will continue the season with
five jets or if it will bring back a pilot from a previous team for the rest of the
season.

"It's sad to see them out there today with only five planes," said Philomena Madden of
Pensacola, who brought her son and grandson to the practice.

The pilots did not have a post-practice autograph session, but they did entertain the
group with many of their standard maneuvers. The five jets performed for about 30
minutes, spiraling and soaring in a series of loops, crosses and inverted maneuvers
while passing in front of the crowd in tight formations.

"Look, look, look," David Madden told his 3-year-old son, Declan, as the lead jet made a
slow pass in front of the viewing area with its nose pointed skyward.

Phil Duryea volunteers at the National Museum of Naval Aviation at Pensacola Naval Air
Station and escorts tourists to the Tuesday and Wednesday practice sessions. Duryea's
wife organizes the post-practice autograph sessions.

Duryea said Monday's practice was solid, considering the circumstances.

"No. 4 didn't have his smoke on in a couple of maneuvers," he said. "Emotionally, I know
they have been drained."

Davis, 32, was killed when his No. 6 jet went down during the final minutes of a
performance at Marine Corps Air Station Beaufort in Beaufort, S.C. He was in his first
year flying in formation with the team.

The cause of the crash is being investigated, a process the Navy has said could take
several months.

Davis was buried over the weekend at Barrancas National Cemetery on the base. A team
spokesman said Davis' family chose to have him buried on the base because he would have
wanted to be near the team's weekly practices.

Among the maneuvers the team practiced Monday was the delta formation, which the team
was performing when Davis' jet went down. In the formation, the planes come from behind
the crowd to join together and form a triangle.

"As you can see, they are coming back. Considering everything, it seems like they are
flying in pretty good formation," said Bob Mays, a longtime fan who rarely misses a
practice.

The Blue Angels have canceled a performance at Offutt Air Force Base in Nebraska this
weekend, but officials have said they hope to perform again May 12 at Seymour Johnson
Air Force Base in Goldsboro, N.C.

The Thunderbirds were headed to Fort Lauderdale for Fleet Week.