The Blue Angels are the highlight of the show and the excitement increased as their show time approached.
Because they staged out of Oakland International Airport there was no pre‐ or post‐flight ground show, but
the Blue Angels did make an appearance at Pier 39 on Saturday evening, signing autographs and answering
questions from their many fans. Unfortunately “Fat Albert” did not fly on Saturday, but the Blue Angels put
on their high show under bright blue skies. A marine‐layer fog bank stayed well outside the Golden Gate, but
there was enough moisture in the air to form impressive clouds of vapor around the aircraft as they pulled
g’s. During the Double Farvel the jets had vapor both on their top and bottom sides. They were in fine form,
flying in extremely tight formations and their timing was spot‐on: all six jets re‐joined at the same instant
during their loop break cross.
The airbox is located over San Francisco Bay, just north of the city’s waterfront. As such, there is no ground
portion of the air show, and no aircraft on static display. Marina Green does, however, have the usual food
booths, vendors and kid zones, as well as pavilions with chairs, shade and catered food for those willing to
pay for the comfort and convenience. This year featured a Humanitarian Village display which demonstrated
the capabilities of the US Military and Civil organizations in responding to a disaster. There were four differ‐
ent theme camps: Mass Care and Shelter, Power and Utilities, Community Response & Rescue, and Environ‐
mental Management & Decontamination. Pretty much any place in the area provides a beautiful venue from
which to watch the show: from Fisherman’s Wharf, past Crissy Field, to standing on the Golden Gate Bridge
itself, the sun is behind you, making photography a joy. From Angel Island, Alcatraz or out on the water
aboard the Jeremiah O’Brien you have beautiful views of the city skyline as a backdrop. There are no bad
seats!
Oh, in case you were wondering, she said “yes.”
United Airlines Boeing 737‐924(ER)(WL) top left, RedStar Pilots Association Formation CJ‐6 Team top right,
The Patriots Jet Team L‐39C middle right
Film strip l to r: US Coast Guard MH‐65D Dolphin SAR Demonstration; Greg “Wired” Colyer, T‐33 Shooting
Star “Ace Maker II” Matt Chapman; Embry‐Riddle Extra 330 Aerobatics; Michael Wiskus, Lucas Oil Pitts S‐1
Aerobatics; Sean D. Tucker, Oracle Challenger III Aerobatics; The Patriots Jet Team