Blue Angels 1982: Rise Above (NEW DOCUMENTARY)
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- Опубликовано: 5 сен 2024
- Produced by Ryan Nothhaft
www.blueangelphantoms.com
Email: blueangelphantoms@gmail.com
Twitter: @blueangelf4
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36 years after their inception, the Blue Angels set out to have an iconic 1982 air show season, including a historic return to Hawaii. Yet the aviation community would be rocked by immense tragedy during winter training of that year when the Air Force Thunderbirds lost four pilots in what is known as the "Diamond Crash". Only weeks later, the Blue Angels suffered their own loss when lead solo pilot Stu Powrie's plane crashed in the desert of El Centro, California.
With their future uncertain in the weeks that followed, the Blue Angels regrouped and turned to one of their former pilots, Jim "Jungle" Ross, to fill shoes of their fallen brother.
Delaying by only one week, the Blue Angels eventually embarked on their season that saw them perform over 80 air shows at sites across America including NAS New Orleans, Nashville TN, Greenville SC, Dayton OH, Salinas CA, Seattle WA, and Barbers Point HI. Despite their rigorous schedule, the Blue Angels never canceled an air show due to maintenance. This was in large part due to Blue Angels maintenance team, which is considered to be made up of some of the best mechanical and technical representatives in the Navy.
That doesn't mean there weren't hiccups along the way, but as you'll learn in this documentary, the Blue Angels have a "never give up" attitude and do anything it takes to get the job done, and done well.
Today, the Blue Angels are now 74 years old and carry an incredible legacy that continues to endure the test of time. Known as "ambassadors of goodwill", they've performed in front of hundreds of millions of spectators as they continue their mission of attracting talented and qualified individuals to join the US Navy and Marine Corps. Such a legacy is no doubt a tribute to the culture and pursuit of excellence that each team has strived to achieve since their inception in 1946.
The 1982 team documented in this short film exemplifies this culture and it was an honor to capture their story of perseverance and pursuit of excellence in executing their mission while inspiring millions around the globe.
This film is dedicated to the memory of Stu Powrie.
1982 Blue Angels Team
1. CDR Dave Carroll
2. Maj Tim Dineen, USMC
3. LT Kevin Miller
4. LCDR Bob Stephens
5. LCDR Jim Ross
6. LCDR Randy Clark
7. LCDR Scott Anderson
8. LT Bud Hunsucker
MO LCDR Al Edmonson
Doc LCDR Kevin Wand
AO CLDR Leo Boor
PAO LT Morgan Smith
SUPO LT Frank Grasso
Historic stock footage & pictures featured in the documentary were provided by the personal collection of the Blue Angel pilots.
Music licensed on Soundstripe
In 1982 as a 9 year old I remember clearly Blue Angel number 6 lining up in the canyon behind my house. This was at Miramar. We would sit on the rooftop and waive at the pilots. One time it was very easy to see #6 "Pogo" Randy Clark waiving back at us. 30 years later I became friends with Randy. He said he actually remembers waiving to us. It was one of the moments that led to me becoming a pilot. Randy seemed very proud that I remembered that moment and that he played a part in my path to become a pilot. He was a really great guy and is missed.
Randy was the absolute best
Great story.👍
I was one of those kids mentioned. I saw the Blues at Mount Comfort IN when they flew the A-4. Not sure of the year but it was the early 80s. Because of that experience, I became a Marine Corps pilot in 1997. Thanks for the motivation gentlemen!
Vicarious Johnson ....I saw them there myself ....Miss the days of the classic air show
I live in Indy and the best thing about the Mt. Comfort show is the light traffic and the speed and ease of getting in and out. Kinda like the 500 and US Nationals in Clermont.
Entered Same year in US Navy and became an AT (Aviation Electronics Technician) :) was pretty happy just getting to work on jets and Mode4 Checker on the flight deck....wish I could have been a naval aviator but wouldn't trade my experience for anything....
what did you fly ??
Ryan, I was overwhelmed with emotion watching this. I had been Jim Ross's Crew Chief in 80 and Scott Anderson's in 82. What a fine group of men!
Thank you, Bob. An honor to have you comment here. I hope we finally meet in person one day. Cheers!
I went to school with Jim's sister Connie. I got to spend a little time with him in our hometown before he passed away ... Great guy. His father was so proud of him.
I met LCDR Jim Ross at the Salinas, CA air show. The guy was just a CLASS ACT.
So gracious to give his time to a young college kid. I still have my autographed poster. THANKS.
Skyhawks Forever- As a Marine A-4 plane Captain 1982 -1987 watching the Blue Angels perform was a great sense of pride for all of us working on Heinemann's hot rod.
I loved watching the Blue Angel Skyhawks fly. Fast, nimble and precise.
I was 6 then and lived within spitting distance of the airfield. If i wasn't at the show, I sat in my yard and smelled the kerosene and smoke as ya'll ripped the skies over me. I wanted to be an aviator. I didn't get that chance, but at 44 years old its still a dream. Thanks for the memories!
I was station at El Toro during this time period and always enjoyed watching the A-4 Blues...I was a "Scooter" mech...
1977 Detroit airshow. I was 5y/o. The Blue Angels and Bob Hoover signed my program. That sparked a lifelong love of aviation.
This is the Aircraft I think of when I hear Blue Angels! Old School Baby! 😏🖖🏼❤️🇺🇸
Who are the eight idiots giving this a "thumbs down!?" Great work, as always, Ryan! All these guys are my heroes, and who were fortunate and talented enough to "live the dream." Unfortunately for me, it will remain a dream. Thank you!
Quite literally a few (wonderfully) good men-gentlemen one and all; their passion for flight, their undisguised affection for the A4, and unabashed pride in their membership of the Blue Angels was plainly visible, boundless and eternal in its nature, even in the face of great tragedy, losing friends in the T-Birds as well as one of their own.
I loved this film, Ryan; watching these men talking so stoically about the pain involved in flying ("my eyes were so bloodshot, I looked as if I'd been punched....but I got over it"), enduring friendship and the lives of people they touched-and were touched by in return- made for a wonderful viewing experience.
Thank you very much.
RIP Stewart.
Thank you, sir. Always appreciate your support on all the projects on this channel. You're right, these are truly remarkable individuals.
@@BlueAngelPhantoms lol I'm not a sir, I'm a madam!
My bad!! I am so sorry and I should know better than to make assumptions.. based on analytics, my audience is almost 100% male and it's hard to tell with screen names. Thanks again for all the support!
@@BlueAngelPhantoms No worries whatsoever - I find it often happens in the online fast jet/ aviation community, and my online nic is pretty nondescript. My name is Nia, so from now on I'll sign all my posts N ( just so you know it's me)With, regard to supporting your amazing content, you're welcome!
I was stationed at MCAS El Toro '82-85. Loved the 4 days a year the Blues were there. A-4's Forever!!
Ryan Amazing job pulling together your extensive library of interviews with curated U.S. Navy Content. To produce this amalgam without the benefit of a sophisticated, computerized video filing system is a real accomplishment. In my opinion, this documentary, skillfully weaving many inputs into a compelling story, is an order of magnitude advance from your unarguably excellent one on one interviews. Great addition to your Flight Demonstration Team video history.
Thanks, Dad - I always know the first couple "thumbs up" on my videos are from you and mom. Appreciate all the support from day 1, literally.
Absolutely loved this. Great job, Ryan. I grew up watching them in the 70's and 80's and it was the main reason I went into the Marine Corps.. loved the part when #7, Anderson I believe, was talking from and about NAS Atlanta. That was where I saw most of my air shows growing up. The other side of the airfield was Dobbins AFB, as it was known back then, and the blues and Tbirds would take turns. Blues at NAS on even numbered years and the Thunderbirds on odd at Dobbins. This brought back a flood of memories, thank you.
Also, cant wait for next year when the Blues come back to Atlanta. They will be in the new Super Hornet (woohoo) and at Dobbins ANGB. I believe Dobbins is an Air National Guard Base these days but incredibly excited to see the Blues there and in their new birds. It's been a while since I've seen them and cant wait.
What a fantastic video. Excellent production Ryan, as with most of your work I was glued the entire time.
Thank you so much!!
82 I was 13 and seen the Angels several times at El Toro Marine Base in Southern California. What awesome shows. I remember dad bought me a foam toy jet you just put the wings on and this wad of gummy stuff you put on the nose to even out the weight and protect the nose. That thing flew so good. Best of times as a kid.
I actually worked on one of their A-4F's BEFORE it was a Blue Angel. I was serving as Power Plants NCOIC at NAS Jacksonville with MAG-42 Det A [the active duty component for the Reserve squadron there]. We got a request through channels to transfer one of our aircraft to them. Pretty cool. Loved working on them.
I was with the "Flying Gators" from 1981-1984 at Cecil. The Blues used to get engines from our Super Foxes all the time. I was one of the active duty cadre serving in Avionics.
I was at the Dayton Ohio show in 82, i was 5 yrs old (still have pics of me with the Blue Angels) and have been hooked ever since, thanks guys👍🏻
I was stationed at China Lake, California with VX-5 from 72-76 and was fortunate to see the Blue Angels numerous times while there. I was an AE and got to work on the A-4F, and A-4M as well and loved this airplane!
What a great documentary. My Dad a 22 year Navy retiree took me to see them in September of 1982. I still have the program. So when LCDR Bob Stephens talks about signing autographs for the kids, I was one of those kids. I have since seen the Blue Angels 7 more times and hopefully will be able to see them this September in Baltimore.
I love Blues. I live in Argentina and is impossible for me to go to your country. I knew about your F. Lauderdale Air Show on May and called my son. Son, you must attend the Blues Air Show, you are going to be my eyes. And sure he did!.
I remember my first time seing the Blue Angels. 1968 at Moffett Field in California. I was 5. I don't remember a lot about that show but I do remember the Blue Angels. I wanted to do that. Other than the enormous dirigible hangar. That's all I remember.
I can only say I love so much this historical series on the Blues!!!.
Another awesome, inspiring and patriotic video of the Blues. And this time in my favorite plane, the Scooter. I have so much admiration for all of the team members, flight and support, one team. The cream of the crop but you would never know it because of how humble they are. Sincere thanks for the video.
EXCELLENT! Thanks for posting the video.
What a wonderful doco - I could watch these for hours at a time. It is really cool that you can build the narrative without ever doing any narration yourself - Masterful. Being raised on a different side of the world, I never saw any of the Blue Angels, but saw plenty of airshows growing up and really feel like demonstration teams the world over are the epitome of the RAF, RAAF, RANZF motto "per ardua ad astra".
Awesome documentary!! The A-4F was my always favorite in the Blues.
I never got to see them fly a demo, but I love seeing them with their gear down flying a dirty loop. Thanks for the kinds words about the film. Cheers!
I wish it was mine at the time. I thought "subsonic? nah."
I didn't know what I had. *Sigh*
These warriors exemplify the pilots in the 80’s to me. With the exception of a minuscule number all were exceptional Officers and Friends.
Scooters! I love the A-4. Best team jet ever.
This was Soooooo goood! Such fine gentlemen, honorable and kind with hearts of gold.
A very professional team flying an awesome jet. Our Air Force (RNZAF) flew the A4K (almost identical to the A4F) and they put together a aerobatic team called Kiwi Red. They weren't painted in any particular colours and were basically taken from the Squadron pool. Love the A4 but sadly now we lost our Combat wing in 2001 whereas we would have been upgrading to the F16.
What a team ! Too bad there was no Tomcat in the Blue Angels, that would have been so cool :)
Definitely - Unfortunately F-14s would hv been too expensive to maintain for a demo team :(
A great, honest documentary about the Blues and the folks that make it great! As a Marine Skyhawk avionics tech, I do appreciate the respect for their maintenance folks. I know that I've spent my time upside down in the cockpit, feet dangling over the edge. Nice that someone has noticed the sacrifice that us avionics people make. :-)
Fantastic documentary!
Amazing! Thank you for putting these videos together.
Thanks, AJ! Trust me, it was my pleasure to put this together. These guys are amazing.
Blue Angel Phantoms oh I bet. You are keeping the past alive and well with these interviews. I really enjoy these looks into the past. Keep um coming!!!
I think the first time I saw them was 1982 or 83. Flying those Skyhawks, they were the coolest thing I had ever seen in my young life. I was 8 or 9.
Wow, watching this it really got me. I saw them at NAS Atlanta and my Grandfather took me. He was a Navy man. Really brought back a lot of memories.
As a kid growing up in NAF from 81-84. I enjoy the time when the Blue Angles arrived for winter training, I wake up early in the morning to watch the diamond take off and buzz are base housing. great memories.
Thank you for this video. It's getting shared.
Semper Fi
The Blues are the best in the business hands down. Myself..., I am Formation Flight Rated as a Private Pilot only. So I cannot even hold a candle to these Navy/Marines guys...! Fantastic Doco on this subject.... Cheers...! Soft skies hard grounds.
1976 at APG. Blew my little head right off.
Saw them several times at MCAS El Toro while they flew the A 4. Amazing. Thank you gentleman. You make us proud.
Excellent video.
Was stationed with VA-174 Det El Centro from 79 to 81. We always loved listening in on the radio and watching the Blue Angles as they used the airfield. We had to work hand and hand with the Blue Angles to make sure our schedules did not overlap for our four class flights a day when the Blue Angles moved from flying over the desert to flying over the airfield. They normally did two complete shows a day, and we launched four groups a day.
Wonderful collection of the 1982 Navy Blues. The Marine and Naval aviator comments are terrific !
Fantastic show. Tim Dineen # 2 is a co-father in law and amazing man. Sorry he wasn’t able to participate more in this treasure
These guys are great flyers their shows are amazingly awesome. Very professional.
Great vid! I was a young pup at el Toro. My old man was in 311. Loved that base and remeber many days watching the blue jets. Great memories
A great video that all can appreciate.
Literally the Best of The Best!
Well done!!
Thank you!!
I saw the 1983 team perform in northeast Wisconsin, following my signing the enlistment paperwork for the Navy’s Delayed Entry Program. Witnessing an A-4 Blue Angel Demo only solidified my reality of becoming a part of Naval Aviation. My Sea Duty tour (‘84-‘88) was spent with VF-74, Carrier Air Wing-17, (F-14A Grumman “Tomcat”) completing two Med/I.O. deployments aboard the USS Saratoga, CV-60, as a Plane Captain, and Operations Yeoman, (PO3-EAWS). Great memories. 🇺🇸😎👍
What an awesome tribute to the individual men and the blues themselves. A true gift to the nation and themselves. Thank you. :)
The F4 was fun and loud, but the A4 skyhalk was the best demos ive ever. I seen. Ive seen them at
Willow Grove NAS - Johnsville NADC - McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst and Redding.
the absolute best of the best. what a fantastic film
I saw the A-4 Blue Angels a few times as a kid in the early 80's when my dad was stationed at NAS Lemoore. He was an A-7 pilot in VA-147. Always loved those air shows! We lived on base for a bit then in Hanford.
I live in Hawaii, when they flew. 😎👍🏿
Oh the memories! This is how I remember the blues, in the A-4. I grew up right next to Dobbins Airforce Base in Marietta Georgia starting in 79. I was 4 or 5 years old and still can remember the blues in their A-4s when NAS Atlanta had their airshows ,became an aviation nut at that time. We would be outside on Friday to watch practice and the blues would fly right over sometimes. The 82 -85 season for some reason sticks out as being some of the most memorable airshows as a child. I actually saw these guys and think I still have those autograph tri folds somewhere. Great moments in my life and in military aviation, the glory days if you will.
My grandfather worked as a civilian contracted chef in the early 1980's at El Centro. He was at the base when the tragedy happen. He had known the team members that year. I remember him telling me about his time at the base when I was younger.
Great documentary! I was one of those inspired kids mentioned. Growing up in Pensacola, I enjoyed watching them perform many times. These days, I work as a civilian engineer at the original home base of the Blue Angels: NAS Jacksonville.
Outstanding presentation, one of the best ever done for any of the demonstration teams! Would be fun to see similar for many other years.
80s at Lake Washington were simply awesome
A former coworker of mine flew Bob Hope around on his tour of Canada in a Learjet Said Mr Hope was a really nice man. Every year at Christmas he was sent a card and a gift of course by Hope’s staff. But Hope was nice enough to include him. That went on until Mr Hope passed
I've got three pictures of myself posing with the Blue Angles at the Norfolk Naval Air Station when they invited Make -A-Wish Foundation children and their families to come enjoy the airshow and have a portrait done with all the pilots and then collect their autographs.
Thank you enjoyed the production. Righteous.
I grew up an Air Force brat , whose father flew Phantoms and later transitioned to the F-16 , I was supposed to like the Thunderbirds ( and I did ) but man I always preferred the Blue Angels when they flew the A-4's they just flew so Sierra Hotel . Caught a ton of flak for my position , but naval aviation always impressed me more. Strangely enough once I grew up, I joined the Army , and jumped out of perfectly good aircraft. Anyway thanks for all the childhood memories.
RIP STU
The Best of the Best!
So loved this! So so loved this.
Funny how we actually used the same melody in edits. the piece at about 24 minutes.
excellent doc with some incredible footage and even better interviews. enjoyed immensely.
Cool precision
That is awesome!! I love the scenes from the Reno AIr Races, I grew up literally 3 miles from that airport in Stead Nevada and would get to attend every year.
Come back i love watching this
Saw the Angels back in 2008 in Pensacola Florida, good stuff.
What a delight to see each and every class of top pilots and aircraft of the BA. To fly the best, always, as an institutional ideal developed out of the Navy experience; outta Naval Air necessity came this peerless standard they created. The Angels started with old Bearcats and every year did more and more with our top line Navy fighter aircraft than thought possible - at lower altitudes than anyone dare because that wins wars AND carries the message as daunting as an above-ground nuclear bomb test. The message of the Blue Angels is military aeronautical/technological mastery, beauty, spectacularly-good use of public property and sovereign authority, sure. But the Blue Angels Show in every way is intended to make and leave a specific impression when seen, that is felt by shock and awe, but seldom mentioned specifically.
When the Angels flew the F4 Phantoms and everywhere they go with our most fearsome-looking Navy fighters, the BA show how deadly is our resolve here; that we are not to be trifled with and are not fooling around. As with any gun being pointed directly at one, when the Angels are approaching at combat speed AT YOU, on the deck, it is psychologically quite alarming and, imho, as such, a deterrent shield that just shows everyone worldwide that there's more going on here than airplanes doing trix.
Gosh I loved the A-4
First saw the angels fly in A-4 in a video about airshow held in 1986, along with fly-teams from Canada, Italy, Australia and France, absolutely beautiful. Sadly that video is nowhere to be found now. BTW, I'm a fan of Blue Angels from China.
I was there at Barbers Point as a 13 year old. I will always remember that.
Blue Angels piloting A4 Sky Hawks...I watched them at the Marietta Navel Air Station...I’ve got 35 MM prints of them where you can see the yellow helmets...God bless them all 🙏🙏🙏 👍🇺🇸👍🇺🇸
I was stationed at Little Rock AFB that year when these guys came by. Cool little aircraft the A-4.
Well done!
Only shows I ever saw the Blue Angels fly was in the A4.
It was great when they finished the performance with a 6 ship formation landing .
It was possible with the rather small A 4.
Finally got to watch this, best one yet Ryan, well done. Being a Phantom Phanatic, I still think the F-4 was the best, but only barely over the A-4. Can't wait to see the Super Hornet.
Man, in 1982, I was so much younger than I am today.
Ryan, first class documentary. Any others in the works? This was great.
This is awesome, I use to own this VHS tape of The Blue Angels in razor sharp it was called. I wore that damn tape out as a kid, I always asked my mom to put it on for me. I'm pretty sure it was from the 1980 or 81 Team cause it had Co Denny Wisley as the Flight Lead. They were just amazing and they still are to this day, as much as I like the Thunderbird's there's just something about the Angels that hold a special place in my heart.
Razor Sharp is a great one for sure. I believe is documents the 1980 team. I grew up with the Threshold documentary following the 1970 -71 teams. Still have the VHS tape.
@@BlueAngelPhantoms Yeah I had to go edit my original comment about it maybe being the 82 Team haha, had to get my fact's together. I wish I still had my tape. I just looked it up on RUclips and watching it now, I'm 36 right now so I haven't watch it since I was maybe 6 or 7 when we bought it. This Rise Above Documentary is fantastic btw.
My husband, (Major, at that time) Tim Dineen 1981-82 was #2. There’s something about the A-4’s! Nice to hear you enjoyed watching them.
Man I wish I could have seen the blues in A-4's.
Loved watching the Blues in the A-4's when I was a kid.
We had the model delta formation of F14s in our ready room, and it took up half the room. They tried but we lost too many pilots when we had the F-4 Bill Porupsky, seat shop 71-72
Livin' the life, Ryan! Say hi to your Dad!
Fantastic! Love the A-4 . Like it better than the Hornet. Sorry Im old school hehe
They landed in the delta! Good lord
thats nuts!!!
Wow i was born in 82
I worked with Bud Hunsucker here in Atlanta at a now defuncted engineering company. He was a serious "Alpha Hotel". He could talk to you one way and talk behind your back the next. Not to mention how he stalked the receptionist and was a absolute old school Racist! Heard him call me a "monkey" from the next room speaking to a coworker. Yeah, Hunsucker was a piece of work. And it wouldn't surprise me that the company he spent time with where the same.doesn't
Wow, well done!
Ryan, I must ask you. Being a fan of the Blues ever since I saw the documentary Around the World at the Speed of Sound, do you plan on interviewing the team members of the Blue Angels who did that historical 8 countries in only 4 weeks campaign?
navy vet seen them 5 times 81,85 bad ass
Does the a 4 have the same problems with adverse a
Yaw that the Phantom did?
Bravo Zulu, Mates!
navy also