The Sound of Freedom

F-35B Lighting

How do you duplicate the deafening roar of the U.S. Marine Corps Aircraft F-35B Lighting in a blog post? Well, it’s simple just provide a link to a Lockheed Martin demonstration video of a vertical takeoff then amplify that sound ten-fold. Marine aviators call it, “The sound of freedom!”

If you attended this years MCAS Miramar air show you witnessed first hand the might of the U.S Military’s air defense capabilities. Since becoming a volunteer at the Flying Leatherneck Historical Foundation I’ve heard more combination of letters and numbers that represent a variety of tactical air defense machinery than I can mentally process. Let’s be honest, it’s as if the retired fighter pilots are speaking a different language. The only fighter jets I’m familiar with are the planes the U.S. Navy Blue Angels fly. You’ve seen them, they’re a beautiful blue with a bright yellow stripe on the under-side. Ok, I see you laughing at me.

As a recently elected board member of the foundation, allow me to be technically correct. “The Boeing F/A-18 Hornet is a multi-mission, high-performance jet designed for fighter/attack missions and is capable of easily reaching speeds in excess of 1,200 miles per hour. When battle ready, the Hornet can carry up to 17,000 pounds of armament, including a six-barrel 20mm canon, two Sparrow and Sidewinder missiles.” For a translation, stop by the museum and ask any docent, mostly former Marine pilots, to show you what they look like. The F-18 has been in service since 1983 and is the sole jet stationed at MCAS Miramar. Admittedly it’s of of my favorite aircraft, it’s sleek, very fast, and loud when it takes off. 

I arrived at the show Sunday morning and found my way to the Flying Leatherneck Museum display area near the flight-line. There among the swarm of people, I recognized retired Lieutenant Colonel Richard (Touch) Toettcher, our man in charge of volunteers at the foundation. He flew an A-4 Skyhawk in 1968 and served a tour with VMA-211 at Chu Lai, RVN. Don’t ask me to translate.

His first words to me were, “Have you seen the new F-35B?” My immediate thought was, Hummm, wonder what that is, it must be an airplane? Not wanting to sound like a complete idiot, I came back with the confident reply, “No, where is it?”

“Just over there,” he pointed east, “You can’t miss it.”

Wow - the new Lockheed Martin F-35B Lighting! I read the program; “For the first time in aviation history, the most lethal fighter characteristics - supersonic speed, radar-evading stealth, extreme agility and short takeoff/vertical landing capability (STOVL) - have been combined in a single platform; the F-35B. Protecting freedom and ensuring security in today’s battle space calls for an unprecedented aircraft.”

So I did what every freedom loving American civilian would do. Found the aircraft, stepped up to one of the Marine’s on duty and asked, “So, how much does this baby cost?”

Without flinching he said, “$252 million per aircraft, SIR! MCAS Miramar does not yet have them, we are stationed at MAG-13 MCAS Yuma, Arizona.” 

“Will they be flying this plane in today’s show?”

“Yes SIR! Lieutenant Colonel Steve Gillette will be demonstrating this aircraft’s capabilities later today.”  

“Thank you Marine for your service - Semper Fi!”

So without further delay I made my way to the Foundations Chalet on the flight line. Many mid-air demonstrations were already in progress. Most notably the AV-8B Harrier. You know the one, Arnold Schwarzenegger used this aircraft in the movie, True Lies, in 1994.

With a quick glance at the program, “The roar of the AV-8B Harrier can be heard throughout the flight line, and it is the sound of sheer power.” They’re not kidding, when this aircraft approaches it’s frighting. It comes in like a helicopter, hovers in midair about 50 feet above the runway, then slowly rotates 90 degrees to point it’s nose facing the grandstands. During it’s fly-by they simulate the sound of it’s weapons being discharged - I’m talking loud!

Oh, let’s not forgot the highlight of the show, the pinnacle of precision flying, the Blue Angels performance. I love to feel the ground shake, and hear that roar of power at takeoff. Immediately they effortlessly achieve the four-jet Diamond Formation, flying that beautiful blue F/A-18 Hornet!

The sound of freedom . . .