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The Air Force thnderbirds flew under me today.

SteveSS

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The Air Force Thunderbirds flew under me today.

We live on a hill that's opposite, to the east, of the Air Force Academy. The AFA as you know is on the front slope of the Rocky Mountains. It has been tradition for the Air Force Thunderbirds to fly an air show for the graduating class at the academy. It's been that way since I've lived here, 14 years, except once. The Liberals were trying to make a point and cancelled them. Luckily a squadron of WWII planes flew for free.

My point is the planes are flying under my elevation so I am looking down on them as the blast through the valley. Then they sweep up and turn over me. Today was practice, I'll try to get some real videos on Thursday.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6XXFALvScGQ
 
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The wife and I saw them also, she works at the BCBS building, near North Gate, and we get to go up top to watch, it's a sight to see.
 
precision....i like the 'mush' pass through the valley...solo bird, kept nose hi attitude and tailpipes pointed towards ground and had the smoke going. Thanks Steve
 
As a Navy brat and serving in the Navy and working for the Navy as a civilian for 30+ years, the Blues are what I grew up watching through most of my adult life.

Then my wife's sister married an Air Force guy. As his career progressed, he wound up as the XO in the T-birds. I watch them both now and appreciate both groups. Love the audio from the "Boss".

BTW, they live in the Springs now after he retired as #2 at the Academy. We visit from time to time.


Jeff
 
The Thuderbirds are awesome, I remember one year I was teaching a special needs class in Rockford, IL. It was a week before the airshow and the Thunderbirds were practicing. Since it was near the end of school and we really couldn't get anything done when they were practicing I brought in treats, and stuff and let the kids watch them out the windows. It was awesome to see the planes and the look of amazement on these kids faces. They still talk about it when I see them every now and then in the Community.
 
They had the graduation today. Very cool but I didn't film it. They flew around noon for the ceremony then came back at 5:00 for a few high speed, low altitude smoke runs. Then made a bee line due east.
 
I used to live in the Springs and had the pleasure of seeing these magnificent machines flying over the area. One time I was fly fishing in a fairly tight canyon when this brain splitting sound came roaring thru the canyon barely above the ridges of the canyon following the river. It was a fighter jet. It was something like you'd see in a movie. Was one of the coolest things I'd ever seen before or since.
 
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GetX'd.....Speaking of low pass....back in 70's i did some time over a coke thing...ex fire camp at base of Graham Mountain range. A base was being closed so a lot of a/c were being moved over us....one day a guy in an F-104(sans tip tanks) figured He'd give the convicts a rush....near tree top pass(no embellishment) and he kicked the after burner directly overhead no more than a 100 feet over our heads.....was very impressive....caused some of those 'tough' AB & MM jerks some pause to duck for cover....i was just shouting....now that is the s#it You convicts! It was loud like standing next to PA columns at a Led Zep show.

MOPOWER...love the shot with the rainbow! You take nice pics M8!
 
GetX'd.....Speaking of low pass....back in 70's i did some time over a coke thing...ex fire camp at base of Graham Mountain range. A base was being closed so a lot of a/c were being moved over us....one day a guy in an F-104(sans tip tanks) figured He'd give the convicts a rush....near tree top pass(no embellishment) and he kicked the after burner directly overhead no more than a 100 feet over our heads.....was very impressive....caused some of those 'tough' AB & MM jerks some pause to duck for cover....i was just shouting....now that is the s#it You convicts! It was loud like standing next to PA columns at a Led Zep show.

MOPOWER...love the shot with the rainbow! You take nice pics M8!

In my opinion the shot with the tail uprights nearly touching is waaaay more impressive.
Kudos.
 
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