Former Blue Angel remembers roaring over Oceana

VIRGINIA BEACH 

Tony Less knows what it's like roaring around the country as a Blue Angel.

"It's a ballad, a demonstration of man and machine and the man and machine coming together in a precise and precision way," Less said last week from his home in Northern Virginia.

The retired Navy vice admiral commanded the Blue Angels from 1974 to 1975. He flew the No. 1 plane both years at the NAS Oceana Air Show.

The skies over Hampton Roads will be a little louder this weekend as the Blue Angels, the U.S. Navy flight demonstration squadron, streaks in again with aerial acrobatics.

The squadron performs about 70 shows in about 34 cities each year, and much has changed since its formation in 1946. Back then, the team flew Grumman F6F Hellcats. Now they rocket overhead in Boeing F/A-18 Hornets.

Less said his time with the squadron was one of the high points in his 34-year Navy career. He retired in 1994 after serving his last three years as Commander Naval Air Force, U.S. Atlantic Fleet in Norfolk.

"It was fantastic. Maneuvering an airplane in close proximity to another, but doing it with precision and perfection."

The Blue Angels had been flying the F-4J Phantom II before Less took command. He introduced the A-4F Skyhawk II to the shows.

"The F-4 was a very beautiful airplane. It sure looked pretty and made a lot of noise and burned a lot of fuel. In 1973, this nation was going through an energy crisis. The A-4 was a single-seat airplane and definitely the right choice."

The Blue Angels flew the A-4 for 13 years until they introduced the F/A-18 Hornet.

Less spoke of the memories of flashing past the crowds and leading the formation down the runway while flying upside down. He recalled going through maneuvers with only 3 feet between wingtips and canopies at 200 to 600 mph.

"Yes, 600 when you wanted to make an impression."

Although the high speed and tight formations made for an exciting ride, danger was always at hand.

Through the years, the team has lost a couple dozen pilots during training and air shows. The year before Less took charge, the squadron lost three members in a midair collision during practice over Lakehurst, N.J. Less said there were no accidents under his command.

The squadron serves as goodwill ambassadors and helps recruit members of the military.

Less learned much during his years leading the Blue Angels. He also gave more than those jaw-dropping performances.

"One of the things we touted with the young people that we talked with after the show while signing autographs was about practicing perfection. You'll never attain it. You'll never be perfect, entirely perfect, because there is always that room for movement and adjustment, but you can sure strive for perfection."

Roy Bahls, (757) 446-2351, roy.bahls@pilotonline.com