“Flying a jet for your country – there is no greater honor.” But, the Commanding Officer of the Blue Angels Capt. Greg McWherter added that the real thrills of his unique job occur on the ground, interacting with people. The Blue Angels are now on the ground, having arrived at Patuxent River Naval Air Station for Air Expo 2011 this Saturday and Sunday.
Capt. McWherter and his boss, Secretary of the Navy Ray Mabus, held a press conference Thursday morning on a runway at Pax River. The press conference had a two-fold purpose: to tout the air show but also introduce the Navy’s Biofuel Project. The Blue Angels will be flying during the air show with a 50/50 blend of biofuel.
Sec. Mabus announced on Tuesday at the National Energy Summit in Las Vegas that the Department of the Navy will further build upon the success of testing biofuel in their aircraft when the Blue Angles fly this weekend using it, which will be the first time the entire unit has flown using the biofuel mix. The V-22 is also starting to use biofuel.
Mabus said the reason for the energy initiative, which is being done jointly by Navy and the Departments of Agriculture and Energy, Is “to reduce our dependence on imported fossil fuel.” Mabus said the rollout in the agencies will help reduce the overall cost of biofuel for other users. “We think the commercialization will follow,” he said.
Mabus said the tests of biofuel have been successful with little operational difference, a point concurred in by McWherter. He said, “There is almost no difference. The fuel performs flawlessly.”
McWherter said the conversion to the biofuel mix was just an extension of their mission of promoting the Navy. Mabus said of the Blue Angels, “They offer a very visible example of what our Navy Is capable of. Every one of their pilots belongs to the fleet. These are people who fly off our carriers every single day.”
McWherter, a native of Atlanta, GA, says the team cringes when it is suggested that what they do are stunts. He called what they do, “very choreographed maneuvers, very basic simple maneuvers.” He said their goal is to entertain, but to do so safely.”
Mabus said this was his fourth or fifth visit to Pax River, most recently for a biofuel flight of the Green Hornet. In concluding his press conference remarks, he said, “I hope you all have a great air show this weekend.
The air show concludes a weeklong celebration of the 100th Anniversary of Naval Aviation The beginning of Naval Aviation is marked by the Navy’s first requisition by Navy Capt. Washington Irving Chambers to purchase an aircraft from pioneer and inventor Glenn Curtis.
This week’s events also include a panel discussion and reception at the Bay District Volunteer Fire Department Thursday evening. The reception is at 6 p.m. and the panel discussion starts at 7 p.m., with Naval Air Systems Commander Vice Adm. David Architzel, F-35 Program Executive Officer Vice Adm. David Venlet, Deputy Comma
<!–
–>
