Blue Angels: Lt. Cdr. Kevin Davis, 1975-2007
Lt. Cdr. Kevin Davis, Blue Angels pilot, killed in a crash Saturday
Art Harris, about to take off for his Blue Angels media ride-along flight as a cub reporter
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I was upside down, 10,000 feet over Marietta, Georgia, a cub reporter on a Mach-1 joy ride when my Blue Angels chauffeur decided to teach me a lesson in humility– a double barrel roll at about 700 knots…
“So, Art, are you ready for an experience?” the elite Navy pilot asked.
I was already having one, and don’t remember what I mumbled as the G-forces mashed my face into a pancake and pinned my right shoulder against the seat.
Moments earlier, I was bluffing macho as I climbed aboard for my media ride in an A4F Skyhawk over 20 years ago, when the elite Blue Angels switched to FA/18s, like the one that crashed Saturday killing Lt. Cdr. Kevin Davis, 32.
He was a decorated fighter pilot who’d flown combat missions over Afghanistan before joining the Angels in 2005, to narrate air shows, handle celebrity flights with stars like singer Kelly Clarkson and actor James Franco and fly dicey, breath-taking maneuvers that thrilled fans and boosted pilot recruitment.
It all came rushing back, like the blood to my face in a double tuck over roll, when I watched grim-faced swabbies in dress whites load Kevin’s flag-draped coffin into the black hearse in Pensacola Wednesday. He was scheduled to be buried this week with full military honors; a high flyer who died doing what he loved like more than two dozen Blue Angels over the years.
Two people you don’t want to have self doubt: your pilot and your surgeon, and Blue Angels are trained to have none. The old photo I found of me in the backseat of the Navy jet depicts a serene-looking guy; that was BEFORE taking off from the old Dobbins Naval Air Station outside Atlanta. There was nothing serene after that.
What happened over the next hour or so remains etched in muscle memory; Six Flags Scream Machines do not prepare you for it, I read another account of a reporter who blacked out during his mile-high hijinks. I might have used the airsick bag, but my arms were pinned to the seat by so much force, I couldn’t reach it, and fought the urge to purge.
I remember swooping low over treetops, climbing straight up like a rocket, afterburners kicking in, then floating to a near stall, and falling, falling, falling as he suddenly gunned the afterburners and we swooshed across lunchtime Hotlanta, touching down like a feather.
I hopped from the plane, proudly posing for my photographer, heart-pounding, chest swelled, certain my dark secret was safe. “So how was it?” asked my colleague. I exhaled slowly. “Piece of cake,” I shrugged.
That’s when my grinning Blue Angel host piped up: “Art, you sure were screaming a lot.”
I blushed, clueless that it had been open mike night in the cockpit; he’d heard every moan, whimper and rebel yelp, as I closed my eyes, clutched my pen and notebook and, yes, screamed like no tomorrow.
So here’s to you, Kevin, the other living legends and 25 other Angels who have also died flying. Thoughts and prayers go to your family, your shipmates, your friends, your fans, with amazing memories of my own, and gratitude for putting your life on the line (and mine) to protect and serve. God bless.
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For more, cut and paste:
http://www.boeing.com/defense-space/military/fa18/video/ba1.mov
http://www.boeing.com/defense-space/military/fa18/video/f18roll.mov
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blue_Angels
April 26th, 2007 at 5:11 am
There are angels among us.
April 26th, 2007 at 9:41 am
Art, I like your new web page design. You have to be a very brave person to take a Blue Angels ride. I think the Blue Angels are some of the most bravest and talented guys in the world. I admired what they do. My prayers go out to Kevin’s family, for he was truly a hero.
April 26th, 2007 at 10:42 am
Art, the spectacular aerobatic stunts performed by the Blue Angels always look so smooth and trouble free. I just loved hearing how they could make a grown man (scream) moan, whimper and rebel yelp. Thanks for sharing that hilarious yet terrifying experience.
My heart and prayers go out to the friends and family of
Lt. Cdr. Kevin “Kojack” Davis.
My deep appreciation goes out to Lt. Cdr. Davis and all the men who give up so much to protect and serve our country.
They are my hero’s.
April 26th, 2007 at 11:03 am
ART, THANK YOU FOR YOUR TRIBUTE TO LT. CDR. KEVIN DAVIS. THESE EXPERIENCED PILOTS PUT ON THE MOST BREATH TAKING SHOWS IN THIS COUNTRY. I HAVE BEEN A WITNESS TO THEM MANY TIMES. I AM ALWAYS AMAZED AT THE ACCURACY AND PERCISION IN WHICH THEY HANDLE THEIR PLANES. ITS JUST AWESOME!!! GOD BLESS LT.CDR.K. DAVIS, HIS FAMILY AND ALL THAT KNEW HIM AT PENSACOLA NAS.
April 26th, 2007 at 1:43 pm
An American Hero, he could take your breath away, into the wild blue yonder.
To his family and friends, you were truly blessed to have known this amazing man.
April 26th, 2007 at 8:37 pm
A wonderful tribute, Art, and a tragic loss of life. My heart goes out to his family, friends, and team. Thank you for sharing this story.
April 27th, 2007 at 9:53 am
Oh, and Art Harris,
Your pretty amazing, too!
You were looking pretty good in that cockpit!!!!!
Freida: Thanks for your sweet note, and all your fabulous posts! It was a wild ride I’ll never forget… Art
April 29th, 2007 at 5:51 pm
To this hero’s family. I know how much it hurts too lose a loved one especially this way. People say time heals all wounds. Well part of that is true. It becomes more bearable, but you never forget that special person that touched your life and so many others in such a positive way. My heart goes out to you in this very difficult time and know that he is in a safe place now. You are all in my prayers.
April 30th, 2007 at 12:17 pm
You’re pretty amazing, Art Harris.
It’s nice to have a place to go to, like your site, where we find ‘good.’
May 6th, 2007 at 7:19 pm
Art Harris
an other great report! All my heart goes to his friends and family!
This men was an other amazing human who goes to the end of his dream!
Good bless him!
May 8th, 2007 at 10:57 am
Dear Art Harris (Sir),
This may sound crude, but it’s meant with great respect.
This Cammander, this man, this Kevin Davis, was a million-times more ‘deserving’ of the funeral Anna Nicole got.
Our priorities, our principle, and ‘money’ in America, are all mixed up…Down right, upside down.
July 23rd, 2007 at 11:34 am
Art….nice tribute. I flew F-4’s and F-16’s….the A-4F was a very nice airplane especially in the attack role….but didn’t have after burning capability…..and it was barely capable of Mach 1 with a top end of about 670 mph and in a dive you could break the barrier……it wasn’t much of a fighter and would be eaten alive in that role……it was used at Top Gun and by the Air Force in air combat training because of its small size and tight turning capability. Against an F-4 ..which required more speed and was much less agile than the A-4…it would give you headaches….but against an f-16…….you’re dead …piece of cake. (laughter)……
Cheers
J
July 23rd, 2007 at 12:52 pm
#12. We sure appreciate your service and eyes in the skies, and glad you made it back safely…
As they say, two people you don’t want to have self doubt–your surgeon or your pilot. That’s why I knew whether I screamed or threw up, at least he’d get me down. Art
August 10th, 2007 at 1:35 am
Though this was a more appropriate place to post this, afterthough.
# freida Says:
June 22nd, 2007 at 3:37 am
DON QUIXOTE
It is the mission of each true knight…
His duty… nay, his privilege!
To dream the impossible dream,
To fight the unbeatable foe,
To bear with unbearable sorrow
To run where the brave dare not go;
To right the unrightable wrong.
To love, pure and chaste, from afar,
To try, when your arms are too weary,
To reach the unreachable star!
This is my Quest to follow that star,
No matter how hopeless, no matter how far,
To fight for the right
Without question or pause,
To be willing to march into hell
For a heavenly cause!
And I know, if I’ll only be true
To this glorious Quest,
That my heart will lie peaceful and calm
When I’m laid to my rest.
And the world will be better for this,
That one man, scorned and covered with scars,
Still strove, with his last ounce of courage,
To reach the unreachable stars!
August 11th, 2007 at 10:57 am
At least I can read these words, and never feel ashamed in them…those words…and in them, that I love so much.
August 14th, 2007 at 2:02 am
I made my teenage daughter read that poem above, and she complained a little, and didn’t want me to watch her as she read the words…
When she was done, she said, “That was beautiful.”
Another day in the life of an ordinary Mom, done.
August 18th, 2007 at 6:08 pm
http://www.break.com/index/blue-angels-really-low-flyby.html
Courage, and a few good men!!!
August 18th, 2007 at 6:27 pm
Dear Art,
I watched these guys flying when I was a kid. I watched them many times when my dad would take me to watch them fly and baby ‘WE’ were amazed and proud…I’m still amazed…
http://www.blueangels.navy.mil/index.htm
August 25th, 2007 at 7:32 pm
Dear Art,
Really seems no one cares, not nearly enough anyway.
Thought I’d post this here under ‘military.’
I started to ‘copy and paste’ this upfront…under Vick ‘vicious,’ but then I thought again…that would be too, easy.
And, all ‘your girls’ here really don’t want to know about this conflict…actually, neither do I…but I do know…
The Price we are paying for freedom, get’s costlier everyday.
Wish I knew what you thought, instead of what you report.
Love Always,
Freida
http://www.militarytimes.com/projects/flash/4000/
August 31st, 2007 at 2:57 pm
No guts…No glory…
This man, had all-that and more…yet our American Media shunned him…his story…his life.
How pathetic, is this ‘American Media,’ are they CNN!!!
September 17th, 2007 at 5:00 am
Thank You, Blue Angels, for bringing me safely, back down to earth.
Wish our government, would.
Yet, I’d rather rely on you guys anyday.
October 31st, 2007 at 1:00 am
Seems the ‘American Media’ on all channels…lost this opportunity…and instead ‘they’ would rather ‘feed’ us trash.
December 2nd, 2007 at 6:33 am
Guess we all feel a little guilty…for that starvation in the Middle East…and Africa.
Not paying them what it’s worth…yet, if we (and we are) to pay them what it’s worth…will they equally distribute that among the people…their people?
Seems that ‘dollar’ or ‘currency’ just goes to the empires…and women are having too many babies…and that is a huge burden on all of mankind.
Oh, what to do…what is moral and just, do we follow China, or trust…the people…
I think 2 kids per household is reasonable, and smart…in fact I think ‘one’ is often enough.
Babies are people, too!
There’s plenty out there, like that ‘rich man’ says on the commercial for Alaskan Seafood.
Guess, I’m getting carried away with ‘idealism’ once again.
Or, am I a realist?
December 2nd, 2007 at 6:40 am
This man did not get the credit he deserved.
December 2nd, 2007 at 6:45 am
A real angel is quiet.
Heavenly.
December 2nd, 2007 at 7:16 am
The reality of mortality…in the beginning ‘God’ created man…or…in the beginning did man create ‘Him?’
Hope is a wonderful thing.
There’s more to us than our physical body…and it lives on in our imagination.
I will remember Kevin, and those before and after him.
He was so much better than most of us.
January 15th, 2008 at 10:16 pm
Dear Art,
Never give up this ‘category.’
It’s the only place that brings me safely, back down to earth.
Love Always,
Freida
January 21st, 2008 at 1:16 am
It’s real nice to come here tonight and remember Kevin.
Thank You.
January 25th, 2008 at 6:57 am
I’ll continue to pray, just in case…you see I still believe in babies.
And I’ll vote for McCain, and cross my fingers.
January 28th, 2008 at 8:12 pm
How i love to watch those Blue Angels. when they have their airshows. My husband was stationed at Mather A.F.B. in Sacramento,CA. for 12 years. And we lived on base, so of course, we had a lot of company when The Angels would come. IT still takes my breath away, to see them. How sad to lose a man,. so heroic, in my eyes, And I love the funerals they give these hero’s. With thousands of people watching, guns saluting. Blue Angels in formation., It is unforgetable. Thank you for this story Art.
November 18th, 2008 at 6:11 am
I sure do wonder about your filing system?
April 27th, 2009 at 5:52 pm
I’ve got my head back out of the clouds.
‘The Media’ sure did miss a great opportunity with this story.
This ‘one’ made us proud.
So, I’m giving up ‘Anna’ and ‘the latest’ entertainment.
I’m hanging it up, I’m no longer ‘Possessed.’
Gosh Art, I know you’re just makin’ a livin’….
REMINDS ME OF A SONG!
April 27th, 2009 at 8:37 pm
Yep, my cousin shot himself dead last month.
He was straight as an ace and flew copters in Vietnam picking up the wounded in battle zones, no less.
And ‘this baby boomer generation’ was in a state of confusion.
No lack of respect, I guess.
Nixon sure got a bad rap, yet he wasn’t any worse than Martha and she’s still on TV!!!!
Sure was hurt to learn that my cousin got ALS?
Wonder what the cause is?
April 30th, 2009 at 2:17 am
It does seem interesting, yet I know ‘The Media’ so well.
It’s just, gosh how many ‘channels’ trying to find happiness and Hope.
Reminds me of Bob.
And I thought I was done.
No lack of respect…well seems I do mean exactly that once-in-a-while, or once-upon-a-time…
Wonder how Marilyn Manson’s doing with ‘all that drama and promotion’ these days?
Seems some will do almost anything to make a buck without a conscience…
At least I know I’m free.