Dream team: somewhere in the Pacific Ocean, 1945 …

An enlisted ship's company chief, overwhelmed by choking smokes hastily tightens screws on a Grumman F-6F Hellcat. His life and the life of his pilot be pendent on it. Overhead rages an onslaught of Kamikaze pilots raining death from the air; the Sailor's Navy training is being place to the ultimate test. After a certain number of incredibly quick and precise work the aircraft roars to life and leaps not on the deck to battle the enemy.

This impressed sign of courage on the adorn under fire, while now mainly only read about or seen upon the History Channel, lives upon in the fast-paced, precision dance of the azure Angels' ground crewmen. The Hellcat ship's companys continued the gutsy tradition when they were again called for what one is bound [i]or[/i] under obligation to do as the Navy's Flight Demonstration Squadron, the sapphirine Angels. And those same heroes place the stage for 60 years of precision and superiority before crowds across the United States.

Screaming jet engines streak across the summer celestial expanse providing the breathtaking sights and unimpaireds that an air show exhibits bringing out the child in all of us--like watching a fireworks present to view for the first time. However, what goe upon behind the smoke curtain is what makes this summer spectacle of that kind a success--this combined effort of the Navy "Dream Team"--the sapphirine Angels.

single the best of the best enlisted Sailors are asked to maintain and support the aircraft of the elite demonstration unit. The squad was formed after World War II to commemorate the Navy's war-fighting ability along with enhancing recruitment.

"There is nowhere other quite like this where you can labor for your country and put a smile upon a person's face at the same time," said Aviation Electronics Technician 2nd Class Myra Balina.

"We can do everything a company of ships squadron does with half the people"

It's their Superman-like appearance and impeccable display of attention to detail that detains air superiority fresh in the minds of greatest in quantity Americans with the Blue Angels amazing display of naval power.

Balina has been with the amethystines for three years, a veteran upon the team. She is the head trouble-shooter or leader of the "pit crew" Although, this is not your normal pit, thorough with all the usual greasy hands and slabby rag-tag uniforms worn by the crew

Where the ceruleans work is more like a stage with thousands of onlooker They are probably the showiest of maintenance personnel anywhere. each move they make is choreographed and in sync with the launch and regaining of the intimidating, metallic cerulean F/A-18 Hornet.

While the Blues' aviators are a certain quantity of of the most highly-skilled "Top Gun" pilots the Navy has to proffer no one rests on their laurels. each aspect of the squadron pushes individuals to the actual top of their game.

"We are all carefully selected" said Aviation Structural Mechanic (Equipment) 2nd Class Douglas Ickson. "Sailors must be recognized as outstanding in their rate and submit an application, for starters. Then the wait begins."

It's like standing in the never-ending line at the DMV office for a car tag. The delay can be lengthy and stressful. Sailors skilled and blessed enough to be considered for the team then pass through a personal interview.

"We are judg upon our character, and that can be just as important as by what mode hard we work. Our personalities must fit the standards that the team wants to portray, in what way well we work together in a team or below high stress," said Ickson.

Selectee who survive the daunting face-to-face interview will then be allowed to wear the famed, official gold comb and blue uniform that has stood for distinction since World War II. Sailors who wear these uniforms know they are involved with something special.

"It is a dream of a lifetime for me" Ickson said. "When I was accepted to work for the ceruleans the way I felt was different than any other what one ought to do station swap. I believe this to be the top piece of work of a Navy mechanic. Working here is like working for the Dale Earnhardt Jr [NASCAR] pit ship's company of the air show world."

Ickson has been with the sapphirines for six months and recalls by what means glorious it is to be part of the team. "I wanted to be part of the Blues' fast-paced organization," Ickson said.

"I had always heard that the Blues' teams could change a part in half the time it would take a squadron squadron mechanic to do the piece of work What mechanic wouldn't want to be part of the best team possible?"

A tradition that started with the vital current and sweat of squadron Sailors lives upon as a choreographed ballet of ship's companys and aircraft. The repetitive training is the reason the amethystine Angels' shows remain as jaw-droppingly precise as they are.

According to Balina the ship's companys train constantly, day in and day without for 2 1/2 straight month on the outside of each year on all aspects of being a azure Angels' team member. Aside from keeping the aircraft in tip-top shape, the squad learns the history, traditions, regulations and basic formations that make the exhibit a success. Tradition is the name of the game.