So my lady is a contractor on base and was able to get me in today for the practice session for this weekend's Arctic Thunder Air Show. Military and invitation only with just a few thousand people there today, not the 200,000 they're expecting over the next 2 days. So yeah, front row seat on the flight line to see the Blue Angels perform today.

From my lawn chair just inside the barrier...

This message has been edited. Last edited by: 2000Z-71,

Great shot!

I don’t know, but your picture seems to show two better seats than yours.

Hell yeah! I love to be right on the flight line when the jets fly by.

Dude, that's the kind of access I can only dream about. The only thing better would be a ride in the back seat of #7. Did you get any more shots? Oh, and when is the airshow? We land in Anchorage tomorrow morning...

WOW That's a good one

Lucky you!

Awesome shot. Sitting with the masses in the cheap sears at the show is forever ruined for you.

Ah bummer. I looked it up. Looks like it runs all day, and 250,000 people...yikes! We have to get to Kenai...I can't afford to get wrapped up in that. You definitely scored getting early access before that crowd!

quote:

Originally posted by 2000Z-71:
So my lady is a contractor on base and was able to get me in today for the practice session for this weekend's Arctic Thunder Air Show. Military and invitation only with just a few thousand people there today, not the 200,000 they're expecting over the next 2 days. So yeah, front row seat on the flight line to see the Blue Angels perform today.

From my lawn chair just inside the barrier...

Nice, I lived in Eagle River and later on at elmendorf when I was a kid. Dad was a flight medic and for the air shows I got to ride with him in the ambulance and sit on top of it way up closer than the crowd, it really is a different experience

quote:

Originally posted by 92fstech:
Dude, that's the kind of access I can only dream about. The only thing better would be a ride in the back seat of #7. Did you get any more shots? Oh, and when is the airshow? We land in Anchorage tomorrow morning...

Yes I did!

4 ship formation incoming.


Opposing and lead solos making a slow speed dirty pass.


Underside of lead solo.


"Because I was inverted."


To me, the F-22 Demonstration Team was more impressive than the Blue Angels. Amazing watching it perform maneuvers that just seem physically impossible.

Weapons bays open on a low pass.


Popping flares. I can barely describe the maneuver that went on here, straight up vertical climb, stall, popped flares, went inverted, flat spin, dove out.


Vapor cloud.


Vapor cloud starting to form.

And something I never expected to see at an air show; a U-2 and its chase car. The group from Beale Air Force Base had a great display and were willing and eager to tell stories.

Very cool, we got VIP for Wings Over Houston a few years ago, got to walk the flight line after the show [Thunderbirds].
Wife's friend's brother was on the TB crew at the time & got us in.

Too cool. I miss those airshows and the sights and sounds of our military might. Any B52s up there? The fighters are cool, but there is nothing like hearing the whine of those eight engines and seeing that beautiful bird go over the house and shaking the foundation...unless you worked the night shift.

Yes they had a BUFf on static display. Two years ago they also had a BONE and you could climb the stairs up into the cockpit and talk with the crew.

Badass! Thanks for sharing. I love the Blue Angels and have seen them perform a bunch, but the F22 demo would have certainly been a treat!

When I worked in Chicago, the Blue Angles used to turn around over our yard when practicing for the Air & Water Show. They weren’t that close to us but I do recall that I could always tell what color helmets were. Nice pics!

Thank you for posting the extra awesome pictures!

That is something special!!!

Great shots! I am envious. Does Fat Albert still do the JATO?