Every year, Santa Barbara hosts the Veteran's Day
Marathon. We took off from Camarillo early to fly over the
start of the marathon. We landed at Santa Barbara for
breakfast and to wait to fly over the finish. I flew up with
Marc Russell. The morning clouds made a challenge for the
crews, but the guys all handled it like pros. At breakfast,
I switched my return flight plans to fly with Ron Alldredge
to capture the 4 ship formation flying over the USS Iowa for
their Veteran's Day festivities. For the flight to Santa
Barbara, we had a 6 ship formation with four T-34 Mentors
and two Nanchang CJ-6As led my Michael "Viper" Maloco. For
the Iowa flyover, Ron "Little Wood" Lee led the flight with
two T-34s and two Nanchang CJ-6As.
Six ship formation on the runway, ready for takeoff from Camarillo.
Gil Lipaz and his father over the clouds on the way up to Santa Barbara.
Turning over the clouds near Santa Barbara. This gives you and idea of how difficult formation flying can be. With the sun in your eyes, you need to make sure you keep track of the other aircraft in the formation.
Ron Lee with Betsy over the Pacific Ocean near Santa Barbara.
Terry Norbraten in the T-34 Mentor over Santa Barbara.
Ron Alldredge in his T-34 Mentor over the Pacific.
Gil Lipaz and his father over the Pacific in their Nanchang CJ-6A.
Gil Lipaz and Ron Lee in their Nanchang CJ-6As.
The three ships of the first flight element on final approach into Santa Barbara.
With Ron Alldredge on a formation cross under after takeoff from Santa Barbara for the marathon finish flyovers then toward the USS Iowa.
Marc Russell in his T-34 Mentor.
Terry Norbraten in the T-34 Mentor.
Ron Lee in his Nanchang CJ-6A leading Terry Norbraten, Gil Lipaz and Ron Alldredge.
Terry Nobraten in the T-34 Mentor along the coast.
Ron Lee and Gil Lipaz in their Nanchang CJ-6As.
Four ship formation over the port of Los Angeles.
Gil Lipaz with the smoke on for the missing man formatiion over the Iowa.
Terry Norbraten over downtown Los Angeles.
Gil Lipaz flying past the Hollywood sign.
Formation break over Camarillo Airport.
