2009 N'Awlins Air Show

After 7 months of preperation, countless hours of meetings upon meetings and tons of hair pulling, name calling and no-love giving people.... WE DID IT!

There are so many people behind the scenes of an air show, I never truly respected the process until now; I just happened to be one of those 'people'. Even after all the arguin, deal-making and concessions.... it really was very much worth it!

We had the Blue Angels as headliners, and as always, they definately were worth it. No matter what logistical, security or any other nightmare we had to deal with for them... they put on a hell of a show!

We also had the Golden Knights (awesome), the Raptor (hella cool), the heritage flight (goose bumps with that performance) and so many other performers. 30+ static displays and concessionaires.... all I can say is WOW!

Pictured above are the two gentlemen that made this air show possible. They are two Naval Officers that I am proud to say I have had the great pleasure to work with! On the left is LT J. Greer and on the right LCDR D. Edge. Even though they give all credit to those who were on the committee (and yes, I admit we worked our butts off for them and this air show), these two officers were the key, the epicenter.... the backbone to the show. Gentlemen, it was a great pleasure to work for you and with you.

So, this is me with my co-conspirator Dan. This was our pimp ride for the air show (stylin' aren't we?). Between foot patrol, roving patrols, putting out fires, kicking out drunks and taming the crowds at the end of the day.... YEAH, we were exhausted by the end of the day. I don't think we got home before 10 pm the entire weekend (after being at work at 0500 each day). I do need to send a thank you to Dan, he was my absolute saving grace during this evolution. Dan, thank you and hope to work with you again very soon.

But, the ones that truly made this air show happen and run smooth are all the junior enlisted personnel that worked it. I want to make sure I give a huge shout out to my guys and girls in the security department who I had the great pleasure to work for during the show. I was (and am) so proud of each and everyone of you. Thank you.

The numbers are still coming in, but as to date, the air show hosted over 152,000 people. May seem small to you but one thing all need to make note of: we were up against the long-standing tradition of the New Orleans Jazz Fest...... So, to all those non-believers, those that said we couldn't pull off a sucessful air show on a Jazz Fest weekend....... I won't say I told you so... I'll let the numbers and everyone that was at the show say it for me!

GO NAVY!