It was fantastic to have the
Blue Angels back in the Bay Area! Last year’s Fleet Week celebrations
were canceled due to cuts
in federal funding and although the budget sequestration remains in effect,
and military participation was limited to the Navy’s Blue Angels and Leap Frogs, it was a real pleasure to
see the air show return to San Francisco. This year the only threat to a successful show was the weather, and
even when Karl the Fog made an impressive appearance on Saturday, the air boss was able to shuffle the
schedule sufficiently that the show went on.
The Parade of Ships took place on Friday, which usually only features the rehearsal flights. The USS America
was commissioned on Saturday morning, causing this change of plans. The parade included warships from
the US and Canadian Navies as well as US Coast Guard vessels, all accompanied by a fireship spouting foun‐
tains of water. The actual practice flights were rather sparse. The Patriots, being the local team, didn’t need
to familiarize themselves with the airspace. And the Blue Angels, after making several flat passes over the
fog, called it off and headed back to land. Also different this year, they staged out of Oakland Airport instead
of SFO.
On Saturday, the appearance of the massive inflow of marine‐layer fog disrupted the schedule of flying, but
the organizers did a very good job of shuffling the acts to make the best of it. Surprisingly enough, this meant
that the Blue Angels flew earlier than scheduled and did not end the show as they normally do. On Sunday
conditions were perfect for all of the performers. The day dawned bright, clear and cool with seas so