MERIDIAN, Miss. (Queen City Newsfeed) – A media flight with the U.S. Navy Blue Angels gave Queen City Newsfeed an up-close look at the speed and precision behind one of the military’s most elite flight demonstration teams.
News Director Cash Matlock joined Blue Angel #7 Lt. Ronny Hafeza for the flight at Naval Air Station Meridian ahead of this weekend’s Wings Over Meridian Air Show. The experience included a series of high-speed maneuvers, reaching up to 7.5 Gs and nearly 94% the speed of sound.
The flight, captured on video, showcases the intense turns, climbs and aerial maneuvers that Blue Angels pilots execute during performances.
During one of the final maneuvers, the physical demands became especially apparent. Matlock experienced what pilots refer to as “A-LOC,” or Almost Loss of Consciousness — a brief moment where vision fades due to reduced blood flow to the brain under high G-forces.
“It wasn’t a full blackout, but it was close for a second,” Matlock said.
He quickly regained awareness and completed the flight, which he described as one of the most memorable experiences of his career.
The video offers viewers a firsthand perspective of the physical and mental demands placed on pilots — and passengers — during Blue Angels maneuvers.
The Blue Angels are set to perform at the Wings Over Meridian Air Show this Saturday and Sunday at NAS Meridian.