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Facebook Question of the week: What do you think of the Blue Angels practicing so close to Clay County?

By Wesley LeBlanc wesley@opcfla.com
Posted 4/7/21

CLAY COUNTY – Anyone living close to NAS Jacksonville is familiar with the sounds and sights of the Navy’s Blue Angels.Formed in 1946 by the U.S. Navy, the Blue Angels are the second …

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Facebook Question of the week: What do you think of the Blue Angels practicing so close to Clay County?


Posted

CLAY COUNTY – Anyone living close to NAS Jacksonville is familiar with the sounds and sights of the Navy’s Blue Angels.
Formed in 1946 by the U.S. Navy, the Blue Angels are the second oldest aerobatic team in the world and the oldest American aerobatics team. It’s a set of six Boeing F/A-18 Super Hornets and together, they pull off incredible formations and sweat-inducing stunts that have wowed crows around the country for years.
They can be seen practicing over NAS Jax’s air field often and those in Clay County are quite familiar with this patriotic phenomenon.
“I love it when my windows rattle and I look up to see a blue and gold streak in the sky,” reader Paul Michel said. “Fly Navy!”
Two dozen people responded to a Clay Today Facebook post about multiple Blue Angels practice demonstrations April 7-9, and all were excited to hear the sounds of the jets. The post was intended as a warning about noise for those living or working near NAS Jax, but it grew to become a moment of praise for the Blue Angels.
“Is this seriously a problem?” Ronnie-Clare Rohr said. “It’s the United States of America and we are fortunate enough to be close to NAS Jacksonville, Home of the Blue Angels. Wow! I think some people need a trip to (Quietville).”
Kathleen Gaston agreed and said anyone “who doesn’t want to hear the sound of freedom has plenty of time to leave the area.” Candy Goodwin-Wendorff also said the noise of the Blue Angels is the sound of freedom, while Barby Mains said she wished the Blue Angels would fly over her home on Fleming Island.
“Bring on the thunder,” Porter Waldron said. “Those who complain bought their home way after it was a Navy airfield. [The] price of freedom [is] a little noise. Deal with it.”
Becky Price said she was excited for the Blue Angels since NAS Jax is the birthplace of the group. Christy Thistleton said their uncle was a retired career aircraft mechanic that worked on the Blue Angels’ jets 40 years ago. They said Clay County residents should be proud to have essentially been the birthplace of the Blue Angels.
Almost everyone that responded indicated in some way that they have no problem with the sounds of six jets flying over where they live, with some going as far as encouraging their continued occurrence at NAS Jax.
“Bring it on,” Kathy Vannoy said. “(I) love the sound of freedom.”
What are your thoughts on the Navy’s Blue Angels? Let Clay Today know by responding to the Facebook Question of the Week and keep an eye on the official Clay Today Newspaper Facebook page so you don’t miss this week’s question.