MIAMI, FLORIDA – MAY 08: The Blue Angels fly over downtown Miami on Could 08, 2020 in Miami Florida. … [+]
U.S. Navy LCDR James “Rocket” Haley, 35, was a Blue Angels F-18 pilot (Airplane #2) from 2019-2021, a lot of that point throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. As such, he wasn’t in a position to take part in as many air reveals as is customary for the elite flight crew. However Haley was a part of a joint U.S. Navy/U.S. Air Pressure effort to fly in formation over giant cities throughout the pandemic to offer due to medical employees, and to offer inspiration to a reeling American public.
As with most Naval aviators, Haley has seen the brand new “High Gun Maverick” film. And, like most aviators, he’s impressed. Right here, in Half 4 of our behind-the-scenes take a look at the film, we chat with the married father of two from his house in Virginia Seaside, Virginia. Following are edited excerpts from an extended cellphone dialog.
Jim Conflict: What did you consider the 2 “High Gun” motion pictures?
James “Rocket” Haley: Clearly the primary one, as many Naval aviators will let you know, performed some half in them becoming a member of the Navy. I do know that watching it as a child was monumental in me desirous to pursue a profession in Naval aviation. The second film was lengthy overdue. The discharge is nice timing for the Navy, now with numbers down.
Conflict: Evaluate the 2 flicks.
Haley: I joke round that they’re the 2 biggest motion pictures ever made, and I can’t determine which is No. 1. Within the second, I actually love the enhancements in cinematography, the HD facet. The exterior views of the F-18 are simply unimaginable. I additionally love the storyline, which was a whole shock to me. It’s an amazing film to take the household to, considerably of a rarity as of late.
Conflict: What do you consider Tom Cruise because the lead actor?
Haley: I’ve by no means met him, however associates who’ve labored with him say he’s devoted to his craft, and a tough employee. Plus he’s a pilot, so that provides him the power to showcase what we do as aviators from a greater perspective than most.
The 2021 Blue Angels crew, LCDR James “Rocket” Haley fourth from left.
Conflict: How shut do you get to one another in Blue Angels air reveals?
Haley: Within the four-plane diamond, separate from the opposite two solo planes, we’re inside an marketed 18 inches of one another. We begin farther aside, however as we get increasingly more repetition, and get extra familiarity with our personal jet and the pilots within the different plane later within the season, we will get a bit nearer however nonetheless preserve that security margin. You get to know the opposite pilots so properly you could decide up of their voices over the radio once they’re having a foul day [laughs]. It was such an honor to be part of that Blue Angels crew. I really feel tremendous humbled.
Conflict: Whenever you watch the scene when Navy CDR Frank Weisser takes Cruise by that slender canyon in 2:15 to show that the film’s proposed fight mission might be flown, is that one thing you’ll attempt?
Haley: That’s an amazing query [laughs]. I don’t know. I used to be in awe of that canyon scene. We completely prepare to fly low-level like that, and it’s a tactical functionality of the [F-18] Tremendous Hornet. Now the specifics of flying that specific canyon may make me a bit nervous. However with the right pre-flight examine of the terrain, most of us Naval aviators may fly one thing fairly near it. Possibly to not the identical stage Maverick was in a position to do it – and in such a well timed vogue – as a result of he’s one of the best of one of the best [laughs]. It could be lots of enjoyable to attempt, although. Whenever you’re up excessive and possibly flying supersonic, it could not really feel that quick as a result of the blue sky seems to be just like the blue sea from 20,000 toes up. There’s no body of reference. However whenever you’re flying quick down low, you are feeling such as you’re going 1,000,000 miles per hour.
LCDR James “Rocket” Haley, pilot of the #2 aircraft for The Blue Angels, together with his spouse and two … [+]
Conflict: It is a occupation that includes some hazard. How do you mitigate that threat?
Haley: I’m married and have two fantastic youngsters – a five-year-old daughter and a two-year-old son – plus an extremely sturdy spouse I’m lucky to have working our crew again house. Whenever you’re younger, earlier than you might have children, you are feeling invincible. However after you might have children, life takes on new gravity. My daughter jokingly earlier than I depart for work tells me each day, “Dad, don’t overlook to put on your helmet,” as I at all times inform her now that she’s beginning to journey a motorcycle. However to your query, once I’m really flying, I’m laser-focussed on the mission. There are such a lot of issues occurring, whether or not with the Blues or flying different missions. That focus doesn’t enable your thoughts to wander an excessive amount of about any inherent risks. We additionally follow strict adherence to our NATOPS guide, which tells us the best way to function the plane, to our demonstration guide after we’re on the Blue Angels, and to our techniques guide, developed by the High Gun college. We all know them chilly and strictly observe them, not like within the film the place Maverick takes his NATOPS guide and tosses it into the trash. I believe each aviator received amusing out of that. We don’t do this [laughs]. Sticking to these requirements and laser focus inherently retains us protected.
U.S. Navy’s Blue Angels crew in formation.
Conflict: You had the weird alternative throughout the pandemic to carry out not solely in air reveals however in joint flyovers of American cities with the U.S. Air Pressure Thunderbirds.
Haley: We simply went to work to determine how we may assist. We zoomed in on Google Maps to search out hospitals in densely populated areas, then deliberate our air routes such that we may maximize publicity. What was actually cool, along with the flying, was seeing the massive teams of individuals gathered in parks, the streets, and so forth., all socially distanced, after all. I received a number of messages from associates and other people I hadn’t talked to in a very long time, by way of Fb or simply reaching out by cellphone. I had no concept that so many have been healthcare employees. A number of have been nurses. All of them mentioned they have been overwhelmed after we flew over. Some have been even crying. For us, having the ability to thank them for what they have been doing made us really feel particular. In the end, they’d probably the most troublesome jobs of all of us.
LONDON, ENGLAND – MAY 19: Tom Cruise attends the “High Gun: Maverick” Royal Movie Efficiency at … [+]
Conflict: What’s subsequent for you?
Haley: If it’s within the playing cards to proceed in Naval aviation, I am going to do it till I’m 80 [laughs]. Clearly, the timeline dwindles as you become older – your eyesight, muscle mass, no matter. It’s a youngster’s recreation. However most pilots have a fireplace inside them. You wish to exit and deal with that subsequent process. I’d love the chance to be a Commanding Officer some day. I’m actually grateful to be right here [in Naval aviation], as we are saying within the Blues [Angels].
Conflict: If you happen to did depart the Navy, would you think about flying for a industrial airline?
Haley: Completely. I’ve received lots of associates in that enterprise. Since my first time flying in a Cessna at 15, I’ve wished to go up repeatedly. I’ll go house now in a tiny Piper Cub. Mates comment that it have to be boring in that in comparison with an F-18. I say, “No, under no circumstances.” For a pilot, having your toes depart the bottom is particular, whether or not it’s in a Piper Cub, a Cessna, an F-18 or, possibly at some point, a Boeing 787.
