Part 1 – The Thunderbirds
We were loading CASES of ammunition into the trunk of a friend’s car on 8th Street when the insanity of it all suddenly came over me. “Is this legal?” I asked. A resounding “Absolutely!” he responded, as he reminded me of our constitutional rights to bear arms. Nonetheless, it seemed inconceivable that in modern society one could store such weaponry in their apartment in Manhattan – ammunition, handguns, and rifles, including a semi-automatic machine gun, the AR-15. Some of his guns had required registration and a safe for proper keeping.
I had been invited to experience first hand a day of recreational shooting on a third friend’s family property with an old hotel that had fallen into disrepair and lay fallow. The day’s shooting included all manner of handguns and rifles. Anything inanimate was fair game – an old automobile, old dinner plates, coins tossed into the air, etc. This was my first and, to date, only experience with shooting guns. If nothing else, I learned they are much louder and more powerful than one would expect from watching TV and film.
My friend who had invited me was a Village neighborhood resident. He had never hunted game, nor was he violent or particularly aggressive in any way. He was actually quite mild-mannered and gentle. When I expressed my puzzlement about his interest in weapons and a subscription to Military Technology magazine, he explained that as a small manufacturer, he admired the precision and beauty of the craftsmanship and operation of guns and military weapons, aircraft, etc. And therein lies the conflict for many about weapons and military technology – an appreciation and pride for such sophisticated technology, yet the undeniable truth about all of it – that apart from their role in deterrence, most such devices are designed for one function – the killing of others. At best, a necessary evil, for as one veteran once bluntly and poignantly said at the conclusion of a film documentary, there is no glory in war.
This is Air Force Week in New York City. Part of the opening ceremony was a flyover by the Thunderbirds, an air demonstration squadron of F-16 fighter jets of the United States Air Force. I went with photographer friend Bill Shatto* who was much better armed than I with the proper equipment to capture such a fleeting event. The event was a surprise and disappointment for everyone I spoke to as we learned that there was not to be a demonstration or show of any sort but strictly one flyover. The speed and unexpectedness left most with a blurry image or no photo at all, save those who were well prepared with proper cameras, high speed continuous capture, telephoto lenses, and fast reflexes. Seconds after they appeared, strafing the Hudson River shoreline, they were gone.
I had expected the type of show I had seen years ago over the beach at Coney Island by the Navy’s Blue Angels – an impressive demonstration of incredibly precise, well-choreographed, and dangerous set of maneuvers at frightening speeds. All was not lost, however. There was to be an Air Force helicopter water rescue demonstration later in the day. In my next posting, I will show photos and a video of the entire demonstration by the men and aircraft that live in The Wild Blue Yonder…
*Today’s photo is courtesy of Bill Shatto – my own was unusable.
More on the military: You Can’t Quit, Fort Schuyler, Respect, Fleet Week 2009, Post-9/11 World, Kearsarge, Men in Uniform, Hollyhock, Fleet Week
Terrific photo Brian..I must comment on the guns..I am the owner of several and completely enjoy target shooting.. Hopefully I will never have to shoot at anything but paper targets..A gun can be compared to a fire extinguisher–You can use it to stop something terrible from happening (a little cleaning up after). Case in point, the recent movie theater mad man. One armed citizen who was well versed and experianced could have brought the slaughter to a rapid end..Yes he had on body armor but he would not be in any kind of shape after being hit with a 45 caliber or 357 magnum three or four times. The most he could hope for would be to return directed fire-giving others a chance to escape..GUNS DON’T KILL PEOPLE-PEOPLE KILL PEOPLE.. Sorry for the long reply–Jaime
Jaime – Yes, ’tis true about people versus guns. However, guns and other weapons are unique, since they essentially are designed for killing people and animals, unlike knives which have other functions. Certainly, they can be used for target practice – when younger I was a big fan of archery which has a large group who have interest in target shooting only. But there is something about a gun that keeps most people away. It’s singular function and efficiency in its ability to kill so easily and handily, scares many. 30% of American households have gun ownership. However, one issue for me, is with all the talk about protection, given a situation where it is needed, how many could pull the trigger and kill someone else in self defense?
Brian-I was in the Marines (as you know) I was trained to react not panic..Would I be able to kill someone in self defense? If there was no other way out -absolutely-I would feel abligated to put myself in harms way to defend those who could not defend themselves..My shot would not miss-for sure..P.S. I also LOVE archery have an old York compound bow-and I’m good with that also..
Love the photo even if it isn’t yours. I also have a 38 special and I have my conceal carry license. Since my husband is a quadreplegic I felt I needed to be prepared if I needed to protect us. On the subject of gun control, the people who are going to use a gun to kill people will always be able to get a gun somewhere.
Cheri – I can understand how the situation with your husband would lead you to want carry protection.
Years ago I shot apples bobbing in a pond with a rifle. (On a friends private pond.) I was a good shot and it was a lot of fun. Target shooting and bow-and-arrow, too. I’m sure I couldn’t do it these days, though.
I’m not so sure that a second shooter in a crowded theater would have been a good idea…
They ‘buzzed’ the shore, maybe… If they had strafed the Hudson shore, it would have made all the newspapers!
strafing – present participle of strafe
Verb: Attack repeatedly with bombs or machine-gun fire from low-flying aircraft: “military aircraft strafed the village”.
‘buzzed it is then. However, strafing adds a lot more drama and excitement to a disappointing flyover, doesn’t it?
Sure does!
This is a nice well executed shot. Very sleek.