You in the cockpit flying with the Blue Angels
True Blue by D Stuart White
"Imagination – There are two worlds, the world we can measure with line and rule, and the world we feel with our hearts and imagination." - Leigh Hunt, Leaves of Gold.
This chapter short perfectly captures the spirit of D. Stuart White’s book True Blue. It's a captivating story that delves deep into the lives and emotions of its characters, offering readers an immersive experience.
Mainside, Pensacola, FL
I knew we were in for a challenging day. The Boss's voice came through the mic, calm and steady:
"BA Brakes, Smoke off, Ease the power, Lay it on."
As the left wingman, my job was to keep the precise formation, matching the Boss and Mud Skunk, our right-side wingman. The Skunkster was rock solid, never wavering. In our early training days, my mind would drift to past missions, but now, my focus was laser-sharp. In this team, lapses in concentration were not an option.
We were flying in a tight diamond formation over Pensacola Beach. The turbulent air tested our resolve, making it harder to maintain our positions. We had practiced these maneuvers countless times, aiming for perfection.
In a vertical turn, I glanced at Mud Skunk and then at Taco behind me, ensuring our formation stayed tight. The Boss's voice was a constant guide:
"Cancel, Roll, Pause, and then—Turn."
We had rehearsed this move many times, but the thrill of performing it live was unmatched. I felt a rush, a mix of exhilaration and pride. This was far different from any fleet mission I'd flown, even the intense ones in Vietnam.
My journey with the Blue Angels had been transformative. From my first flight with the team to this moment, every challenge had pushed me to grow. The intense training at El Centro had prepared us for this day. Flying with this team taught me the value of working towards something greater than myself.
Confidence in this line of work is a fickle thing, constantly tested by the daily demands of precision flying. But today, I felt like I truly belonged. My skills, confidence, and commitment had flourished.
As we rolled above the Florida coastline in our diamond formation, the Boss's voice continued to guide us:
"A little pulllll, then hesitation, more pulllll."
His commands were rhythmic, almost like a dance:
"Coming left, further left, A little pull, A little more pull, Smoke on-pull, Smoke off-pushhhhh."
We constantly adjusted, holding our positions with deliberate muscle control. The A-4 jet required us to be in command, never allowing us to trim up in formations.
The Fleur-de-lis maneuver was next—a true test of our skills and nerves. Initially, the fear of messing up loomed large, but with practice, it became a beautiful, synchronized blossom in the sky. It wasn't as nerve-wracking as the first Delta formation landing, but it was demanding.
As we pulled over the top and split into the Fleur-de-lis, each jet maintained a precise nose-down attitude, rejoining the diamond formation seamlessly.
Available now on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and wherever books are sold.