...FLEET WEEK... The performers often overfly the Golden Gate Bridge during their run-in to the airshow box (photo by Norman A. Graf). The not-for-profit San Francisco Fleet Week Association is the central coordinating body, and the Association’s team works year-round to prepare for over 40 events. Fleet Week activities have been designed to entertain and educate the people of San Francisco. In recent years, Fleet Week has brought military band performances off of the waterfront and into the city’s neighborhoods. Community relations events are also held around the city, exposing Fleet Week to an everbroader range of the city’s demographics. Fleet Week generates over $100 million for the local San Francisco economy through hotel occupancy, restaurants, and other tourist attractions. Fleet Week also relies on the hard work of over 100 volunteers every year to assist in the management of the wide variety of events. THE PARADE OF SHIPS In tribute to its naval heritage, the Fleet Week celebrations include a parade of ships, which enters the bay by sailing under the Golden Gate Bridge. Although the days of aircraft carriers catapulting fighter jets off their decks as they entered are long past, it is impressive to see the array of military ships arrive. This year’s attendees included the USS Bonhomme Richard Landing Helicopter Dock (LHD-6) amphibious assault ship, which was opened to the public. Displays included the MV- 22 Osprey and MH-60S Seahawk. THE AIRSHOW Fleet Week has taken place every year since 1981, with the exception of 20<strong>01</strong> when it was cancelled in the wake of the September 11 terrorist attacks, and 2<strong>01</strong>3 when the federal budget cuts imposed as part of the Congressional Sequestration process eliminated military participation in airshows around the nation. The Blue Angels have been an integral part of the Fleet Week airshows, appearing at every event except for 2004. The Air Show Network produces the San Francisco Fleet Week Air Show and starts their planning in December for a show that typically takes place in October. Airbosses Donna Flynn and Ray Firkus have been with Fleet Week for 18 years. They work tirelessly with the FAA, including Oakland (OAK) and San Francisco (SFO) towers, to plan the airshow. Signature Aviation at OAK and United Airlines at SFO also provide ramp space for the civilian and military performers. The Blue Angels arrive mid-week and spend at least two days in familiarization flights to establish landmarks and timein their routines. These flights over the densely-populated Bay Area also serve as aerial advertisement for the weekend’s airshow. The week ends with a full rehearsal on Friday and shows on Saturday and Sunday. The team typically stages out of Oakland International Airport, so the ground portion of the Blue Angels’ performance is missing. However, the team members do come out to Pier 39 after Saturday’s performance for a meet-and-greet where they sign autographs and answer questions from their many fans. The Blue Angels are often not the only aerobatic jet team to perform at Fleet Week. The locally-based Patriots Jet Team is also a regular performer. The Patriots are the largest civilian-owned jet demonstration team and include two former Thunderbirds, a former Blue Angel solo pilot and a former Snowbirds outer leftwing pilot. Over the years, the Breitling Jet Team and the Canadian Snowbirds have also appeared. Because Fleet Week is dedicated to the men and women of the United States Armed Forces, military performers are always a highlight of the airshow. Individual tactical demonstrations, from the Air Force as well as Navy, Marines, and Coast Guard, often combined with USAF Heritage Flights and U.S. Navy Legacy Flights, are common. Flybys, such as this year’s combined flight of the Navy P-3C Orion and its replacement P-8 Poseidon, are another highlight of the show’s military connection. Sean D. Tucker, based in nearby Salinas, is second only to the Blue Angels as www.airshowmag.com 24 January/February <strong>2<strong>01</strong>9</strong>
TM ‘ 45 World Airshow News 25 January/February <strong>2<strong>01</strong>9</strong>
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