The USN Blue Angel pilots drop their canopies, and start their engines. Once the control surfaces are checked Commander Kevin Mannix (#1 Flight Leader/Commanding Officer) leads his pilots: Lt. Commander Anthony Walley (#2 Right Wing), USMC Captain Clint Harris (#3 Left Wing), Lt. Commander Tom Winkler (#4 Slot), Lt. Commander John Allison (#5 Lead Solo) and Lt. Commander Craig Olson (#6 Opposing Solo) to the runaway.

The Chief of Naval Air Training selects the Blue Angels Commanding Officer, who must have at least 3,000 tactical jet flight-hours and have commanded a tactical jet squadron. The Commanding Officer flies the Number 1 or lead jet.
The other six F/A-18 pilots each must have a minimum of 1,350 tactical jet hours, and aircraft carrier qualification to serve with the Blue Angels. Each year the Blue Angels choose three tactical (fighter or fighter/attack) jet pilots, two support officers and one Marine Corps C-130 pilot to take the place of departing members.

Photo by Bob Nelson, of the 2007 Fargo AirSho at Hector field on Saturday.