Blue Angels Over Buffalo

This morning Becky and I were in the backyard doing some garden work when we heard some sounds of aircraft in the distance. The sounds became louder and seemed closer and did not sound at all like regular airline traffic we sometimes hear in the distance. I also knew immediately that these were the distinct sounds of military aircraft. The sounds were becoming more often and closer. Then we saw some some aircraft far in the distance. Back when the Niagara Falls airbase was in service we would sometimes hear and see military aircraft flying over the area but it has been many years since that has occurred. Becky was getting a little concerned.

I went into the house and on my laptop and soon discovered that there was an airshow scheduled this weekend on the Buffalo waterfront that included military jets of various kinds and a special show by the Navy's Blue Angels. I went back outside with the news and very soon we were having jets flying over the Parkside neighborhood and buzzing right above the tress over our heads.

Soon social media was filled with comments, pictures and videos of the jets flying over our neighborhood and indeed all over the city. I later went on the Buffalo News site and saw lots of pictures of jets flying around downtown and city hall. Apparently the pilots and organizers were in town practicing and getting the lay of the land in preparation for the main event on Sunday.

This went on all day and from the comments one would believe that everyone thrilled and excited to be getting a free preview of the airshow in their backyards. I don't think all the dogs in the city liked it and I did some comments coming from the zoo where people said many of the animals were in distress.

Another group to consider is us veterans who may find neighborhood flyovers to be stressful. I know I did after a while. It was just too much. Now I was never in combat but I did undergo extensive training many times in different situations where Navy aircraft were used to simulate attacks on our ship. Sometimes during overseas training sessions that would last several weeks we were rushing to general quarters numerous times a day (and night) to man battle stations at the sound of the fighter jets buzzing our ship.

Hearing and seeing those fighter planes today buzzing our backyard treetops did make me feel uncomfortable and a little stressful as it brought back some training flashbacks.

I hope this doesn't go on all weekend. It's only Thursday.

Second photo taken by one of our neighbors.