Capt. Ryan Riley (left) greets Lt. Cmdr. Jim Tomaszeski Feb. 23, 2011, at Nellis Air Force Base, Nev. Captain Riley is the Thunderbirds left wing. Commander Tomaszeski is the Navy Blue Angels right wing. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Larry E. Reid Jr.)
Staff Sgt. Brian Emerson marshals in Navy Blue Angels #5, Lt. Ben Walborn, and #4, Rob Kurrle, as they arrive Feb. 23, 2011, at Nellis Air Force Base, Nev. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Richard Rose Jr.)
Maj. Aaron Jelinek (right) and Lt. Ben Walborn return from a training mission Feb. 23, 2011, at Nellis Air Force Base, Nev. Major Jelinek is the Thunderbirds lead solo. Lieutenant Walborn is the Navy Blue Angels lead solo. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Larry E. Reid Jr.)
by Staff Sgt. Alice Moore
U.S. Air Force Air Demonstration Squadron Public Affairs
2/24/2011 - NELLIS AIR FORCE BASE, Nev. (AFNS) -- The Thunderbirds hosted three members of the Navy Blue Angels team here Feb. 23 as part of a traditional exchange program between the two units.
Blue Angel No. 2, Lt. Cmdr. Jim Tomaszeski, right wing; and Blue Angel No. 4, Lt. Rob Kurrle, slot; had the chance to fly in the back seat of a Thunderbirds F-16D Fighting Falcon model with Thunderbird No. 3, Maj. John Gallemore, right wing. Blue Angel No. 5, Lt. Ben Walborn, lead solo, flew with Thunderbird No. 5, Maj. Aaron Jelinek, lead solo.
The exchange program allows for both demonstration units with similar missions to have the opportunity to share ideas and learn from each other, Major Jelinek said.
"I can't tell you how many times on the road we get asked if we're better than the Blue Angels," Major Jelinek said. "To me, this (exchange program) is more (about) camaraderie between the two teams, rather than a chance to compete with one another. Bringing their jet here to Nellis (Air Force Base) and flying with us is awesome, because we learn from them. We can see firsthand the good things they're doing with their operation and implement them into our own Thunderbirds mission. And hopefully they can do the same, so both teams become better."
Prior to takeoff, the Blue Angels participated in a pre-flight briefing. From there, they took off into the air with the Thunderbirds and debriefed after the flight.
"It's always exciting to fly someone in the back seat and showcase what you're doing during the various maneuvers," Major Jelinek said. "The opportunity to fly the Blue Angels makes things a little more special, being that they're out accomplishing the same mission on a daily basis."
Majors Gallemore and Jelinek will head down to the Blue Angels' training base at Naval Air Facility El Centro, Calif., to shadow their counterparts for a day next week.
Lieutenant Walborn, who is in his third season with the Blue Angels, said the exchange program was definitely beneficial.
"It was really cool to see how you set up for a show and how it's different from the way we do it," Lieutenant Walborn said. "I think this experience will really come full-circle next week when we have (the Thunderbirds) come down to visit."
Both demonstration units are currently scheduled to begin their 2011 show seasons in March. The Thunderbirds will travel to perform at 39 show sites in the U.S. and Europe, and the Blue Angels will travel to 37 show sites in the U.S.
Comments
3/4/2011 4:27:14 PM ET The defense budget only accounts for 15 percent of the aggregate. Eliminating DOD wouldn't come anywhere close to balancing the budget. The gorilla in the budget room which must be cut is entitlement spending which accounts for nearly 70 percent of the aggregate. Entitlement spending is not enumerated in the Constitution while defense spending is.
A.A. Cunningham, Denver
3/1/2011 4:06:40 PM ET I assume the annual budget for the Blue Angels and Thunderbirds should be considerably smaller since they are only like five guys each team. That's not a lot and they bring a lot of joy to people.
AM, MD
2/28/2011 10:04:13 AM ET What language was that?
BBChief DC, here
2/25/2011 1:22:36 PM ET BBChief DC. Excellent point. To carry this logic forward, we could balance the budget instantly by eliminating the entire DoD. I'd imagine we could turn a tasty profit by auctioning off all the excess hardware on EBay as well. "USS Enterprise; slightly used; batteries not included; standard DRMO disclaimer that winner handles loading and transportation." The Chinese already have the Ex Varyag but it's ok. They promised to make a floating casino out of it. The Profession of Arms is not for the timid. There is some ego required to strap on a jet and go to work supersonic. Morale/Visibility is all part of the deal. Enough said.
JasonX, San Antonio TX
2/25/2011 7:54:00 AM ET You mean you had a hangar big enough for all their egos? Wow, there must have been some massive genuflection in the presence of both of these holy creatures. Millions could be saved by canx'ing the Thunderbirds, NASCAR sponsorships, Tops in Blue, and the illustrious AF Band... Recruiting by way of Internet and Facebook doesn't cost much.
