Definately cool. Awesome.

That was back in the day when the Angels were flying the Skyhawks. Kinda archaic compared to the Hornets they fly today.

Cool video. I love the Blue Angels, saw them many times as a child living on various naval bases.

Thank you goc.

Damn

Actually not as American as you may think Denny, with a name like 'Van Halen' it's kind of obvious he's of Dutch origin. But as you Americans like to claim everything as your own if it's any good, we'll let you off....again :-)

Dear Siany: you could make your argument about ancestry with regard to anyone in America. That's what makes it America. Ask Eddie Van Halen what nationality he is; I'm sure he'd be happy to tell you.

This is an awesome film. They now use the F-18; these are the A-4 Skyhawks, which is what Senator McCain was flying when he was shot down over Hanoi.

Great shots, but always remember: Army Aviation: Above the Best!

Ancestry? but he was born in Holland and moved there whilst already a young lad, I'm not talking about Ancestry.

If ever anyone gets the chance to see these guys in action take the opportunity to do so. They'll take your breath away(note:wear ear plugs). Visit the Naval Aviation Museum in Pensacola Flordia if you appreciate seeing various flying beauties. Oh and there's a group of Blue Angel aircraft hanging in formation overhead in the atrium.

Hey Siany:

It doesn't matter where you were born. What matters is how you think of yourself. Both my parents were born in Italy, became citizens, considered themselves Americans and were fiercly patriotic.

Art.

siany - Eddie and Alex were raised as Americans. Ask them how they consider themselves. Sammy Hagar? American. Michael Anthony? American. Do they play American rock? Yes. I rest my case.

I would love to get a chance to ask them, unfortunately that just aint gonna happen is it? So I guess I'll have to let you have the last word on this one :-)

Nice flashback...even in music. There's nothing better than seeing them on Pensacola Beach. Lying out in the sun, drinking and having fun with thousands of your closest frineds. Missing home just thinking about it.

Denny - Thanks for finding this! I've been searching for it for too long. Want to show my kids. We saw the show in May in Atlanta - stayed to watch them depart for home. Was immensely proud of my generally shy son who went up to every pilot to get his autograph.

H - A friend of my father's was a BA pilot. He says the diamond formation hanging in that museum is spaced too far apart!

Half the video is mirrored -- the fuel probes on the A-4 are on the starboard side of the cockpit.

If you get a chance to see the Blue Angel IMAX in Pensacola, don't miss it!

re: the Blue Angels IMAX -- this clip is from that IMAX movie. Imagine seeing that on a 60ft tall screen!

http://youtube.com/watch?v=D31WQEact94

Aside from Eddie at his best (nowadays he's playing on soundtracks for B grade porn flicks....that's not a joke, he's actually done that last month) let's not forget Sammy Hagar showing the range of his pipes in that song. Some of those notes are STUPID high, and he hits them with ease.

AAMOF, you can search youtube to see him & Michael Anthony on tour right now (called "the other half") where he's still able to sing that song on the same key. Amazing.

I love old blood pumping stuff like this. Been there, done that! We used to call the BA the Blue Egos, don't get me wrong, they were/are good but not nearly as good as you think they are. The Blue Angels have lost more pilots than any other major Military Display team in the world and it's the only team that has ever had the leader pulled in mid season and had to court martial members for endangering the public and government property.

Denny- Please post the other video I sent you of Van Halen playing "Where Eagles Fly" to the F-15's flying. MUCH Cooler planes (even if they are USAF), much better video, since the Blue Angels video is from 1986, and the F-15 video is from 2004.

KentuckyJoe, nothing personal, but watching Army helicopters fly compared to jets is like watching an 18 inch estes toy rocket take off in the field across the street and saying it's better than the space shuttle lifting off.

Ricky - Van Halen hasn't done squat since they kicked Sammy out of the band.

Just my humble opinion, but VH hasn't *been* squat since Diamond Dave was out of the picture. And let me make that statement clear by saying the "old" Diamond Dave. Sammy held his own for a few, but it was never even close, or nearly as good. After Dave left the band, they both pretty much went downhill.

(Ducking for cover.....)

CharlieDelta - I disagree. I saw VH twice with DLR and twice with Sammy Hagar and I preferred Sammy over DLR. But then, I've been a Sammy fan since Montrose. They produced two real good albums with Sammy. Eddie wanted to cut back on the partying and kicked Sammy out of the band. Big mistake.

I can appreciate that Denny. I think I've had a negative bias towards Sammy ever since "I can't drive 55". I have never liked that song, and now I'm singing it in my head and grinding my teeth.

I can't say I've heard any of his earlier stuff. Maybe that might change my opinion. Who knows?