Blue Angels land for winter training By ERIC GALVAN, Staff Writer
Friday, January 4, 2008 9:45 PM PST
TODD KRAININ PHOTO
FROM LEFT: Blue Angels Cmdr. Kevin Mannix leads Lt. Cmdr. Paul Brantuas, Lt. Mark Swinger, Lt. Cmdr. Craig Olson and Marine Maj. Clint Harris along the tarmac at Naval Air Facility El Centro on Friday.
TODD KRAININ PHOTO
U.S. Navy Blue Angels crew members guide an arriving jet Friday at Naval Air Facility El Centro. The Navy’s precision flight team will start practices above the Imperial Valley on Monday.
Moments after the Blue Angels landed at Naval Air Facility El Centro on Friday, Cmdr. Kevin Mannix shouted out to crew members waiting for the flight team.
“It’s good to be back in El Centro,” Mannix yelled.
It was a sign of excitement from the man heading the Navy’s flight demonstration team for the second year in a row.
“Last year I was a little anxious and a little nervous,” Mannix, the Blue Angels flight leader, said. “But this year I’m very excited about everything.”
The Blue Angels arrived Friday after a three-hour flight from their home base in Pensacola, Fla. The team officially starts training Monday for the air show season that kicks off March 8 at NAF El Centro.
The Blue Angels will be training six days a week in the Imperial Valley, where they spend more time than anywhere else in the country, including Pensacola.
Mannix concedes this year is different for him than last year.
He said his nervousness last year was partly due to the pressure of not wanting to mess up and wanting to continue the tradition of the Blue Angels.
“It wasn’t until about halfway through the season that I was able to enjoy everything,” Mannix said.
Now, with a year under his belt, he can focus more on performing.
“You want to go out and show the American public the best and safest show possible,” he said.
After it’s March 8 performance at NAF El Centro, the Blue Angels squadron heads to a performance in Sacramento on March 15 and 16.
" Thank you manny-man but it doesn't take a lot of smarts to riduicule someone who doesn't have the comprehension skills to scroll down and actually read the posts before making stupid remarks. "
mans man. wrote on Jan 12, 2008 6:34 PM:
" ricocafe and gymjunkie, you guys are to smart for your own good. "
ricocafe99 wrote on Jan 12, 2008 5:03 PM:
" mansman..what does that name mean? Is that code for your sexual preference? I get all the women and beer I want thank you very much. I suggest that you write your posts before you start drinling. "
gymjunkie wrote on Jan 12, 2008 9:04 AM:
" mans-man, hey dip next time before you shoot off your mouth read the posts. Nothing was said negatively by me about the Blue Angels. Perhaps a few more lessons in comprehension and a little less men and beer would do you some good. "
mans man. wrote on Jan 11, 2008 10:24 PM:
" Good eye lorena 05, ricocafe99 and gymjunkie are always trying to down size life in general. these two chumps need a woman and a beer to change thier negativity. "
humans are a piece of cake wrote on Jan 11, 2008 10:05 PM:
" wow, while young men are being slaughtered, these over trained puppets give true soldiers a bad image. And I dont see any negroes or hispanics "
ricocafe99 wrote on Jan 11, 2008 7:18 PM:
" blueangelwife...I admire your tenacity but no sale, I'm the buyer and its my tax money and I don't want it spent that way. Now if you want to talk about bringing back the draft to bring young people into the military in order tot each them the life skils you mention then you are talking about affecting true social change. I would support that. "
blueangelwife wrote on Jan 11, 2008 5:45 PM:
" ricocafe99...Whether it's the Blue Angels or any other military branch, being marketed by our government is something we should embrace. Without this way of marketing, it will not allow our youths to experience responsibility, accountability, integrity and success as they grow up in life. So why not market this way? The men and women of our military, along with my husband, have put there time in. The Blue Angels gave my husband the opportunity to show case his skills he gained while serving our and his country honorably and now is a successful individual. This is why marketing our military is so important! "
ricocafe99 wrote on Jan 11, 2008 4:46 PM:
" Blueangelwife...no one is saying that there is anything wrong with these fine young men. This is not a "personal" attack. It is the concept of marketing the military machine by our government that I am opposed to. "
blueangelwife wrote on Jan 11, 2008 3:57 PM:
" ricocafe99, my husband served in Operation Iraqi Freedom. He too was part of the Blue Angels 1999-2001. Along with his peers in the Navy and Marine Corp, they all understand your frustration but the fact is that without these men and women we could not show our country the finest women and men out there protecting our freedom and rights. Money is not spent on our economy the way it should, so to blame the Blue Angels for coming to the valley and spending our "tax dollars" Please understand that while my husband served in the United States Navy for 20 years, he too paid taxes. Enjoy the Blue and Gold, the sound of Freedom and these fine men and women that come to the Valley with smiles on their faces and would stop at nothing to help you out in a time of need. So instead of writing negative comments about the Blue Angels, step outside your box and put yourself in their shoes. Go out in March to the airshow and show these young men and women how much you appreciate them. "
ricocafe99 wrote on Jan 11, 2008 11:40 AM:
" geogale3...I dont appreciate being called silly and I would intellectually pound you for that in person. My opinion is that the money is better spent on other things, for example body armor for every soldier on the ground in Iraq. But if you really want to know what I think, we should bring back the draft. It would be good for all youth to serve their country in some way whether by military service or some other service such as Peace Corps or a Jobs Corp, Public Works, Forestry service etc etc, something to take them away from the inner cities and show them another part of the world and teach them a skill plus giving them some maturity in the process. I think ending the draft took away a viable option for youths who were not going onto college or have a marketable skill they were ready to use. "
ricocafe99 wrote on Jan 11, 2008 11:39 AM:
" geogale3...my opinion is that the money is better spent on other things, for example body armor for every soldier on the ground in Iraq. But if you really want to know what I think, we should bring back the draft. It would be good for all youth to serve their country in some way whether by military service or some other service such as Peace Corps or a Jobs Corp, Public Works, Forestry service etc etc, something to take them away from the inner cities and show them another part of the world and teach them a skill plus giving them some maturity in the process. I think ending the draft took away a viable option for youths who were not going onto college or have a marketable skill they were ready to use. "
georgerogers wrote on Jan 11, 2008 11:02 AM:
" Panem et Circenses = Bread and circuses. The Blue Angels kick @ss! "
geogale3 wrote on Jan 11, 2008 8:15 AM:
" Rico; You certainly have the right to your opinion, whether it is right or wrong. The Blue Angels are not to boost your Patriotism. They are a recruiting tool, and have more than paid for themselves serving that purpose. The same as the Thunder Birds for the U.S. Air Force. The pilots are normally Marine and Navy, and are combat veterans. Most have served in Iraq, and will probably serve again when their tour with the Blue Angels is done. Complaining is good for our society and democracy, but complaining just to hear yourself complaint is a bit silly... "
ricocafe99 wrote on Jan 10, 2008 4:57 PM:
" I want to these guys either grounded or sent to fight like they were trained to do. "
abelito wrote on Jan 9, 2008 11:20 PM:
" "Panem et Circenses" "
glowstar wrote on Jan 8, 2008 9:23 AM:
" and if you want to see them out and about, live and in person, just go out to camacho's place one of these nights. i understand they frequent that place when they're in town! "
glowstar wrote on Jan 8, 2008 9:21 AM:
" three-hour flight?! sign me up!! "
ricocafe99 wrote on Jan 8, 2008 7:02 AM:
" Lorena05..I'm negative? No, I am objective. Although I too enjoy the 5 minutes a year I see the Angels. Personally I see no return on the money spent on the Blue Angels although there is a probably a boost in our local economy when they are here. I doubt that we benefit near what it costs to run this marketing campaign for the military. These people are highly skilled and I am proud of my country and military abilities and do not need to be "sold" in order to be patriotic.
Add up just some of the costs $20 million plus per airplane, $10 million plus in training a pilot to this level, many more millions to keep them flying via fuel, maintenance and support. It has to cost $100 mil+ annually. Sorry but it doesn't pencil out and I resent my tax money being spent on the Navy's "feel good" campaign when the boys in Iraq don't have enough body armor.
One more thing...this is a free country, and I have the constitutional right as an American citizen to speak out or not on any subject, just as much as you do. "
Simmerdown wrote on Jan 7, 2008 8:01 PM:
" Yeah, Rico, I understand what you mean about spending money. But if the government didn't spend it on the Blue Angels, they probably would just give THEMSELVES a raise, like usual. Plus, Blue Angels are AWESOME! I have loved them since I was little! They have always meant something to my Grandpa and since he passed, they have meant even more to me. If you ever get a chance, there was a special on them on the Discovery channel last year that showed how they trained which was a trip! I think you ought to give them a chance! I can't wait for March, either! "
lorena 05 wrote on Jan 7, 2008 10:59 AM:
" Why does Ricocafe99 always have something negative to say about some of the few positive things that happen in the Valley?..... Please keep your negativity to yourself and allow these young man do what they do best.... and that is protecting us.... including you... "
mariasais wrote on Jan 6, 2008 7:20 PM:
" The Blue Angels are here!!!!!Bring out the sunscreen & the umbrellas, can't wait until March to see the show. "
ricocafe99 wrote on Jan 6, 2008 12:20 PM:
" I think we have plenty of patriotism as demonstrated by our response to 9/11. I know people are disenchanted with our guarding of the oil in Iraq but thats one of those things that probably hasnt worked out quite like our President had expected....or maybe he did expect it and as a 2nd term President he would take the hit and hope for history to vindicate him. "
lssalcido wrote on Jan 5, 2008 7:57 PM:
" Rico...yeah there ARE more practical things, but you can't put a price on what little patriotism we have left in this country. Get rid of the little good (upbeat) and it's all too bleak. It's all about morale!! Enjoy the show that defies gravity!! "
gymjunkie wrote on Jan 5, 2008 2:06 PM:
" It's all about advertisement and recruiting not to mention having the skills neccesary to attain the title of Blue Angels. "
ricocafe99 wrote on Jan 5, 2008 11:36 AM:
" How much does it cost to run this team? As a nation what exactly do we get out of it? I have nothing against these guys, I admire their skills, and I know they bring revenue to the Valley with them, but isn't taxpayer money better spent on something more productive? "
tsonicojr wrote on Jan 5, 2008 10:51 AM:
" In three hours!! They must of been in a hurry to get to El Centro. Welcome back to the Valley.See you guys in March. "
gymjunkie wrote on Jan 5, 2008 9:15 AM:
" Wow! Three hours from Pennsacola to El Centro. Would love to have been a passenger on that one.
Welcome home Blue. "
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gymjunkie wrote on Jan 13, 2008 11:02 AM: