The United States Navy's Blue Angels have been thrilling crowds for over 50 years with their share of aerial stunts and razor-thin precision.
However, you've never quite seen them like this before. USA Today was able to attach its specialized camera rigs aboard a Blue Angels signature F/A-18 Hornet in the slot position during the Great Georgia Airshow late last month. The result? An unbelievable 360-degree cockpit view that USA Today shared earlier this week via a video.
Situated in the back of the Blue Angels' classic diamond formation, USA Today cameras were able to capture the three other F/A-18 Hornets fly inches apart, while performing their breathtaking maneuvers. If it's so surreal to even experience via this 360-degree video, just imagine how a Blue Angels pilot feels when getting into their diamond formation.
"It's a tremendous thing to see up close," Blue Angels Commanding Officer Captain Tom Frosch, who pilots the lead jet in the diamond formation, told USA Today. "One of our signature maneuvers is our first maneuver. It's called the 'Diamond 360.' It's essentially a parade pass when we come around in front of the crowd and demonstrate how close we can fly."
Frosch adds that Blue Angels pilots can go through up to eight g's during the demonstration, calling them "very hard forces on your body."
If this isn't thrilling — not to mention, scary enough — for you, perhaps you should check them out live when the Blue Angels' 2016 season launches in March in El Centro, Calif.
