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unhappycylinder · 2 years ago

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Gonna Be Trouble (Jake ‘Hangman’ Seresin x Reader) Part 2

Summary: You watch Jake’s demo at the air show before going on your date and visiting one of your favorite spots from high school

Warnings: fluff, swearing, SMUT (minors DNI, pinv unprotected, fingering, dirty talk, car sex, idk what else to say its naughty)

Word Count: 3464

Part 1 Part 3

“Ladies and gentlemen please welcome our next demo team brought to you by your very own United States Navy,” the announcer began from his podium in front of the bleachers as the F-22 demo team landed behind him, “the F/A-18 Super Hornet!”

Just as he finished, Jake’s jet roared through the sky just above the runway, starting up into a steep climb to kick off the demo. As he flew, the announcer narrated each and every move, and you couldn’t help but be impressed by Jake’s flying.

“This F-18 is flown by Lieutenant Jake Seresin, callsign Hangman, from North Island Naval Air Station. He is a combat veteran with over 3,000 hours logged in the F-18 over ten years of service.” You listened intently as they described Jake to the crowd, trying to absorb every detail you could about him before your supposed date tonight.

“Now for his final demonstration of today, Lieutenant Seresin will execute a high speed pass at less than 200 feet altitude. He will be traveling at over 700 miles per hour as he flies over the crowd one last time today! Watch your hats ladies and gents, cause this one is gonna be fast!”

Once again, right on cue, Jake sped over the crowd from behind, shaking the ground and making most of the spectators jump. You felt your stomach drop as he passed over, it was thrilling, especially since you knew the man flying.

He circled the mountains behind the base to slow down before landing on the runway. There was an intermission before the Thunderbirds performed in two hours so you had plenty of time to figure out what the hell was happening with Jake before the crowds got insane for the hometown heroes. You grabbed your water bottle and jacket from the ground and started walking towards where the F-18 would be parking shortly. Jake was still taxiing and was making his way down the lane closest to the crowd, waving to kids at the fence with his canopy open and mask off, showing that million dollar smile. You couldn’t help but get butterflies as you watched him. He spotted you behind the crowd of children and photographers and pointed to you, causing a good amount of the crowd to turn around and stare at you just in time to see you blush a deep red. Then he blew you a kiss, which made you blush even more, before you lifted up your hand and blew one back to him. It was cheezy but he pretended to grab the kiss and stuff it into his pocket, returning to waving at the kids once again. Some of the moms looked insanely jealous, while some of the others gave you sweet smiles and waves.

Jake was doing his post-flight with his team at the edge of the airshow while you explored the other planes parked nearby. There was a piper cub, a P-51, and a Texan, all of which you adored seeing out on display, talking to the pilots and asking them a million questions. You were in depth in conversation with the owner of the piper when you felt a strong arm wrap around your shoulders and pull you in for a small side hug. Looking up you found the gorgeous Jake Seresin looking down at you, aviators on to disguise the lines on his face from his oxygen mask.

“Nice flying up there hotshot,” you said, Jake chuckled and squeezed you a little tighter.

“Thanks darlin, tried to put on a good show for you”

“Well you did, I was thoroughly impressed,” you said, turning to face him.

“Oh god, don’t stroke his ego too much, his head’s gonna fly off” a female voice said from behind you. Jake looked up from you and you turned around to see a woman with dark hair in aviators and a flight suit identical to Jake’s.

“Credit where credit’s due, Phoenix,” Jake said in a cocky tone, throwing an arm around your shoulders again, pulling your back flush with his body.

Phoenix took her sunglasses off and rolled her eyes at Jake. She gestured toward you with the hand holding the glasses, “this your girl Bagman, the one you wouldn’t shut up about?”

“Indeed she is, except she’s not my girl…yet,” you could feel him smirking at that last word.

Phoenix held out her hand and smiled at you, “anyone crazy enough to pursue Seresin has my full respect…Lieutenant Natasha Trace”

You shook her hand and smiled back at her, “pleasure to meet you, I’m y/n. You’re a pilot too I see?”

“Yep. Navy’s got me stuck with this asshole, making sure he doesn’t crash the jet during his demos. Before that we were at Top Gun together…twice!” She leaned in closer to whisper to you, still loud enough for Jake to hear, “I seriously can’t get rid of him, I’m begging you please take him off my hands”

“Alright alright that’s enough shit talkin’ for one day.” Hangman pulled you closer

“Top Gun? You went to Top Gun!” You practically yelled, jumping out of Jake’s arms and facing him, Phoenix chuckled.

“Y’all have a lot of catching up to do, I’m gonna leave you to it. Mostly because I can’t stand to hear Hangman talk about himself…makes me sick,” Phoenix turned to walk away, “Nice to meet you y/n, good luck with the king of all dickheads!”

“Ignore her,” Jake said shaking his head.

“No no no, I think I like her, I mean she’s got all the dirt about you that I’m just dying to hear,” you smiled, playing with the chest pocket of his flightsuit.

“Please can I take you out now,” Jake begged, “so I can tell you everything before Phoenix rubbs off on you too much and you never listen to me again”

“Lead the way Mr. Top Gun,” you grabbed his hand and gestured for him to take you to wherever the hell he planned on taking you.

—

“These stories better be good Jake, I’m missing the Thunderbirds for this,” you said, taking the beer from his hand as slid into the booth next to you.

“Oh please, like you haven’t seen them a million times,” he chuckled, throwing an arm over your shoulders.

“Not since I started college,” you sipped your beer, “its been three years”

“College huh? How old does that make you then?” He tensed up a bit.

“Relax,” you settled into his embrace, “I’m 21, almost 22.”

“You’re just a little thing,” he took a swig and shook his head, “deeefinitely gonna be trouble”

“What? Is that a problem?” You turned to face him, sitting with your legs propped in front of you on the booth seat.

“No, I mean you’re more than a whole decade younger than me…just don’t want to make you uncomfortable”

“Jake,” you leaned forward, resting your head on your knees, “I’m very comfortable, and I want to be here, really bad, but only if you want me to be here too,” you looked up at him with doe eyes.

“Darlin’ I wanted to get you to myself the second I saw you walk up to my jet this morning,” he lifted a hand up to your cheek and drew his thumb over it in little circles, you melted into his touch

“You’re absolutely gorgeous, you know that sweetheart?” He set his beer down and turned to face you straight on in the booth, you lifted your head up from his hand

“You know you’re the first guy to ever tell me that actually”

“I don’t believe that for a second Y/n, those college boys just don’t have their shit straight”

“Jake I literally thought I was gonna throw up when you asked me out today because of how astronomically out of my league you are. If anything’s hard to believe, its whatever you’re saying,” you turned to grab your beer but were stopped by Jake’s hand on your cheek again. He gently turned you to face him before placing his other hand on your other cheek, squeezing slightly so your lips pouted as you stared at him confused.

“Y/n L/n I swear to God if I hear you put yourself down one more time I’m never gonna buy you another drink again, and you don’t know how damn bad I want to keep buying you anything you want just to keep you close to me”

You blinked harshly in absolute awe of what Jake was saying.

“Can I kiss you,” you asked quietly through your squished cheeks

Jake leaned in, resting his forehead against yours and moving his hands down to cup your jaw, your lips parted in anticipation.

“No,” he said quietly, you furrowed your brow, “not here. A first kiss has to be somewhere special.”

“Damn you Jake Seresin,” you laughed, “follow me, now its my turn to take you out.”

—

“Okay turn left up here,” you pointed through the dry pine trees to a small dirt trail on the side of the mountain road.

“Onto that janky dirt path? Y/n are you trying to break my rental truck?”

“It’s a truck isnt it Jake? Can’t it handle a bit of offroading? Plus I used to do this all the time in my camry, you’re fine I promise”

“Woman,” he turned onto the road, immediately jostling the both of you around as you drove over the rocks and through the dips, “you drove this? In a camry?”

“Come on you fly F-18s for a living and this little dirt road is getting to you?”

Jake chuckled at you, “Nothing but trouble.”

There was a clearing in the trees ahead, you pointed to it, “Stop up there, that’s our destination Lieutenant”

He looked over at you briefly before turning back to the road. You had taken him to a lookout on Mount Charleston where you could see the entire city. Plus the sun was just beginning to set below the mountains on the other side of the valley, making the Vegas sky light up all sorts of pinks and oranges.

Jake put the car in park and leaned forward on the wheel, admiring the sunset above him through the windshield. You were already stepping out of the car, “view’s better from out here, I promise”

You walked up to the stone wall at the cliff edge, crossing your arms over your body for warmth and admiring your hometown, closing your eyes as the mountain breeze hit you and welcomed you home.

You felt warm arms creep around your sides under your own, pulling you tightly against Jake’s chest. He rested his chin on your head and breathed a deep breath.

“Nice right?” you asked

“It’s beautiful, must have been a fun place to grow up”

“It was fun, but definitely crazy. I made use of this place a lot as an escape, its special”

“Absolutely is,” he said as he turned you around to face him, sliding his arms around your waist and pulling your fronts flush. You put your arms up around his neck and played with his hair.

You two stood there for a moment just looking at each other and listening to the wind in the trees before Jake began to lean down towards your face. You closed your eyes as his cheek brushed against yours, parting your lips once again

“You picked a good spot, Smalls,” he whispered in your ear making you giggle, you liked the nickname. Your laugh was interrupted by Jake’s warm lips against your own. The kiss was deep and full of love, his lips gently moving to explore yours, you doing the same in return. After a few seconds he pulled away and looked down at you, his blue eyes burning into your own. He let out a big sigh and looked up towards the pink sky

“What?” you asked, leaning your chin on his chest

“This is it,” he said to the sky

“What’s it?”

“This,” he looked back down at you, lifting his hand to tuck a strand of your hair behind your ear, “you. You’re it for me.”

Your blush must have matched the color of the sky and you broke out into a crazy smile.

“Yeah I think I’m all set here too,” you smiled up at him. He leant down and kissed you again, this time with tongue, and his hands gripped your jaw and your hair as he kissed you with more passion than anyone ever had before.

“Do people come to this place often?” Jake asked, quickly pulling out of the kiss and looking around

“No, never. I’ve never seen another person here. Why?”

“Just wondering if anyone’s gonna walk in on us in the truckbed anytime soon,” he said as he grabbed you by the hand and pulled you towards his truck.

“Jake Seresin!” You yelled and laughed as you followed him.

—

Jake grabbed some blankets from the backseat of his rental and laid them in the bed of the truck before helping you in and laying you down. He climbed on top of you, putting his knee in between your legs and his hands on either side of your head. You stared up at him, nervous but comfortable.

“Is this okay?” He asked before he moved to do anything

“Yes, absolutely,” he came down and started kissing your neck, “its just,” he stopped instantly and looked you right in the eyes, “I haven’t really done this much before, so I’m sorry if I’m like inexperienced”

He sighed and smiled, “Y/n, sweetheart, my gorgeous girl, there’s nothing to be sorry about. I’ve got y’a, we can go slow, you just let me know if anything’s uncomfortable for you okay darlin’?”

You just pulled him down into a deep passionate kiss, sticking your tongue into his mouth and gripping at his hair and his shirt collar as you made out.

Jake started lifting up your shirt, you nodded between kisses to let him know to keep going. He pulled your shirt up over your head and threw it to the side in the truckbed, looking down at your bra with awe as he straddled your hips.

“Absolutely perfect,” he said as he ran his hands down your chest and then stopping at your waist.

“Now its my turn,” you said back, pulling his shirt up over his head, revealing his perfect abs and his dogtags dangling over your face. You ran a hand over his stomach, he smiled down at you as you admired him.

“Fuck me,” you whispered to yourself in awe of his body, but he definitely heard you,

“If you insist,” he said as he scooped you up by your waist and brought you into another deep kiss, your chests flush against each other. One of his hands reached around you and unclasped your bra, you helped him pull it off your body and throw it next to your shirt. His hands immediately went to your breasts, playing with one in each hand as he glanced down in between kisses.

“I need you,” he growled, looking up into your eyes. All you could do was nod.

He laid you back down under him as he pulled your leggings and underwear off before undressing himself, throwing your clothes into the pile. He reached a hand down to your core and looked to you for confirmation, you nodded again. He slid a finger up and down your folds before inserting one into you and pumping it a few times, making you gasp.

“You okay sweetheart?” He asked, planting a kiss on your forehead

“Yes Jake, yes, please just fuck me” you threw your head back in pleasure.

“As you wish ma’am”

Jake pulled his finger out of you and positioned himself in between your legs, pulling your hips up to meet his before sliding the tip of his cock into you. You tenset at the feeling and threw your head back again.

“I’m gonna go real slow darlin’ and you tell me if you need me to stop,” Jake caressed your thighs

“No,” you practically begged, “no slow. Jake I told you to fuck me”

Lust filled his eyes and he immediately thrust into you, filling you up as he bottomed out. You let out a yelp and looked at him, nodding to him to continue.

Jake thrust into you slowly at first, then harder and faster as he realized just how much you liked it.

He pulled your knees up over his shoulders and wrapped his arms around your legs, you reached your arms out to grab ahold of his forearms. He began to thrust into you faster and harder, letting out groans and moans that only made you get even more wet for him.

“Such a good girl,” he growled, “so wet, so good, you’re doing perfect sweetheart”

“Jake I can’t last much longer,” you whined

“Let go baby, go ahead, cum for me”

You moaned his name as you came on his cock, pushing him over the edge as you felt him twitch and fill you up with his seed. You clenched your eyes shut as you threw your head back again. Jake pulled himself out of you and crawled on top of you, planting kissed from your stomach to your lips. He kissed you tenderly and cupped your cheek, you looked up at him.

“My perfect girl, you are amazing”

You chuckled, “says you honey, I’ve never felt like that before”

“You better get used to it, I’m not going anywhere for a long long time”

You kissed him again, grabbing at his biceps and his neck. When he pulled away you started to shiver, which he noticed instantly.

“We should probably get you warmed up darlin’, it got cold,” he began, “and dark too,” he chuckled while looking up at the sky, now covered with stars.

Jake cleaned you up and handed you your clothes as he stood up by the side of the truck and put his undershirt and flightsuit back on, not pulling it up past his waist, a look which made you desperate for round two.

You were pulling your shirt over your head when some light caught your eye. Your pants were on but your shoes were barely hanging off your feet and your makeup and hair looked like you just got your brains fucked out, which you did, and Jake was hardly looking his best either (yet still perfect somehow of course).

The lights belonged to a car coming down the same dirt road you and Jake had used. Jake came around to your side of the car, closing the truckbed hatch on the way, placing his hand on the small of your back.

“Get in,” he said into your ear as he helped you into your side of the car before rushing around to his and getting in. He started it immediately and pulled around so you and the mystery car were going head to head. As the lights got closer you realized it was a forest service officer car. Jake put his hand on your thigh, he could tell you were feeling tense.

The officer pulled up next to you as you passed and stopped, signaling for Jake to roll down his window.

“Evenin’ officer” Jake said with a nod

“Evenin’ what are you folks doing out here?” The officer asked

“Oh just admiring the view, its magnificent,” Jake said, squeezing your leg, you smiled at the officer

“Ah alright, alright. This late?”

“Yes sir, wanted to see if we could catch some stars or meteors or anything.” Jake was quick.

“I see. Well, forest service roads are closed to the public after dusk, so I’m gonna have to ask y’all to hop back on the main road”

“Not a problem at all sir, we’ll be on our way”

“Alright, you kids be safe, have a good night,” the officer responded, rolling up his window.

“Easy peasy, he didn’t suspect a thing” Jake smiled at himself as he drove down the road

“He knew,” you said, “he most definitely knew”

“No! No way!” Jake said “you think he could tell?”

“Jake, babe, look at the state I’m in,” you giggled

“Oh shit,” Jake said, registering your raccoon eyes and tangled hair, “yeah you look like you just got fucked”

“He could tell.” You said, looking forward

“Yep, he could tell,” Jake agreed, rubbing your thigh and chuckling.

You two drove the rest of the way to your hotel with Jake’s hand on your thigh, your hand on top of his, and soft country music playing on the radio. This man was gonna be the death of you, you were already head over heels for him.

Taglist:

@luckyladycreator2

#jake seresin x reader #jake seresin #jake 'hangman' seresin #navy #top gun #top gun maverick

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moonwatchuniverse · 2 years ago

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1953-2023 “ 70 years USAF Thunderbirds “ In 1953, after deactivating the “Acrojets” due to the Korean War effort, the US Air Force activated a new aerobatic flight demo team named the “Thunderbirds” after the mythical creature known by many American indigenous cultures. The team flew subsonic F-84G Thunderjets. In 1954, the USAF turned to Rolex to provide the team with good pilot wrist watches and Rolex suggested their revolutionary designed 36 mm stainless steel Turn-O’Graph 6609 with rotational bezel. However, after a long duty tour with the demo team, many pilots were issued a Gold Datejust version. Rolex aligned themselves with the Thunderbirds in their promotional materials, and nicknamed their Datejust Turn-O-Graph the ‘Thunderbird’, placing the team’s emblem directly on the dial at six o’clock position. Between 1955-1957 NASA astronaut William Pogue was Thunderbirds team member and wore his Gold Datejust during NASA training for Apollo & Skylab programs. This photo shows US Air Force Captain Herman Griffin wearing a Gold Datejust 6605 during the 1958 season... 65 years ago! (Photo: USAF)

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michaelcosio · 11 days ago

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youtube

Blue Angels first female Jet Demo pilot. LT. Amanda "Stalin" Lee. Point Mugu Airshow. 4K 60fps. 2023

Mar 21, 2023

See U.S. Navy lieutenant Amanda Lee. Callsign "Stalin". Lt. Amanda Lee is the first Jet Blue Angel female Aviator. Naval Air Station (NAS) Point Mugu had a historic airshow with both the USAF Thunderbirds and the USN Blue Angels demonstrating in front of a large crowd. This was only the 3rd time in history both teams were performing at the same show. People who arrived late were not allowed on the base. In this video, you will see part of the show that included Lt. Amada Lee flying her number 3 F/A-18 Super Hornet Jet. Another video in the future will have the entire show. Saturday March 18th 2023.

from Airshowguy916

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mailbackupsoftware · 21 days ago

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breadstick4breakfast · 2 years ago

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fun fact! if you go to youtube and type "[american fighter jet] demo team" you can find an entire official usaf channel about that plane! very cool (the thunderbirds and blue angels also have their own channels if thats what youre into)

#shitpost #blue angels #thunderbirds #aviation #fighter jet

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indynerdgirl · 2 years ago

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For the first time ever, three of the four Air Combat Command single-ship demonstration teams are piloted by women! 🤙🏻

Captain Lindsay M. "MAD" Johnson - Captain Lindsay Johnson is the A-10C Thunderbolt II Demonstration Team Pilot and Commander, DavisMonthan AFB, Arizona. She is responsible for showcasing the A-10 Thunderbolt II at over 20 airshows annually around the country, as well as internationally. She is also responsible for leadership of a 10-person team that includes maintenance and public affairs Airmen. She and the team highlight the capabilities of the A-10, as well as pay tribute to Air Force history by flying formation flights with the Heritage Flight Foundation.

Captain Aimee "Rebel" Fiedler - Captain Aimee Fiedler is the United States Air Force F-16 Viper Demonstration Team commander and pilot stationed at Shaw Air Force Base in Sumter, S.C. As the Viper Demo Team commander, she is responsible for representing Air Combat Command, the United States Air Force, the Department of Defense and the United States of America at more than 20 air shows annually. (you can follow her on Instagram @rebelfiedler16)

Major Kristen "Beo" Wolfe - Major Kristin Wolfe is the Commander, F-35A Lightning II Demonstration Team, 388th Fighter Wing, Hill Air Force Base, Utah. The mission of the F-35A Lightning II Demonstration team is to showcase the unique aerial capabilities of the Air Force’s most advanced 5th generation multi-role stealth fighter, the F-35A Lightning II, as well as highlight the history of the Air Force’s service through heritage formation flights. Additionally, she provides operational oversight and direction for the 13-personnel team, to include maintenance, aircrew flight equipment, and public affairs Airmen. (you can follow her on Instagram @beo_f35demo_pilot)

And also a shout-out to the female pilots in the US Air Force Thunderbirds and the US Navy Blue Angels!

Major Lauren “Threat” Schlichting - Major Lauren Schlichting is the Slot Pilot for the U.S. Air Force Demonstration Squadron, flying the No. 4 jet. She earned her commission in 2012 from the University of St. Thomas Air Force Reserve Officers Training Corps program where she majored in Mathematics and played lacrosse. Before joining the Thunderbirds, she was an evaluating pilot and executive officer for the 333rd Fighter Squadron at Seymour Johnson Air Force Base, N.C. She enjoys hockey, snowboarding, and surviving the Great White North. She has logged more than 2,000 flight hours in the F-15E, F-16, T-38, and T-6 with 420 combat hours. She is in her second season with the team and hails from Stillwater, MN. (you can follow her on Instagram @afthunderbird4)

Lieutenant Amanda "Stalin" Lee- Lieutenant Amanda Lee is the Left Wing pilot for the United States Navy Blue Angles, flying the No. 3 jet. She is a native of Mounds View, MN and she graduated from Irondale High School in 2004, where she competed in soccer, ice hockey and swimming. While attending the University of Minnesota Duluth, Amanda enlisted in the U.S. Navy as an Aviation Electronics Technician (AT) and reported to her first command, VFA-136 "Knighthawks." She was selected to commission as a Pilot through the Seaman-to-Admiral (STA-21) commissioning program in 2009. The following year, Lee attended the Naval Science Institute (NSI) for officer training in Newport, Rhode Island, and simultaneously began her studies at Old Dominion University in Norfolk, Virginia, where she received a Bachelor of Science in biochemistry.

Amanda joined the Blue Angels in September 2022, becoming the first woman to fly in a demo F/A-18E/F Super Hornet with the team. She has accumulated more than 1,400 flight hours and over 225 carrier-arrested landings. Her decorations include four Navy Achievement medals and various personal and unit awards.

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nocternalrandomness · 3 years ago

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Thunderbird Lead joins up with the A-10 Demo aircraft over southern Arizona.

#USAF #Formation flight #USAF Thunderbird #A-10 Demo Team #f-16 fighting falcon #Viper #a-10 thunderbolt ii #Warthog #Fighter jet #Attack aircraft

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bikerlovertexas · 2 years ago

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#Thunderbirds #Air Show #Outreach #Community #Demo Teams #N.J.#Atlantic City #New Jersey #U.S.#flickr

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usairforcehistoricsociety · 3 months ago

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#air force #us air force #bomber #jets #spy plane #fighter pilot #fighter plane #military planes #airmen #planes #thunderbirds #demo team

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usafphantom2 · 9 months ago

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New Reality Series Stars Texas MiG Pilot

February 14, 2024 Luc Zipkin Warbirds News 0

Randy W. Ball is North America’s PREMIER Jet Demonstration Pilot. Randy has performed well over 1,500 performances to date! No other North American Jet Demo pilot even comes close to that number of performances. Photo via Fighter Jets Demo Team

Aircorps Art Dec 2019

PRESS RELEASE

An exciting new aviation reality series based on a Smithsonian Air & Space magazine article about a remarkable jet restored to fly at 600 miles per hour will begin streaming on Thursday, February 15, 2024, at 8 pm Eastern time. Airshow Team combines the thrill of the aerial cockpit experience with hands-on maintenance in the hangar, all performed by the talented team behind one of the world’s most famous aerobatic jets.

The first season, dubbed Airshow Team: Red 620, stars Randy Ball, a commercial captain and civilian demo pilot with a penchant for flying upside-down at high speeds; Jon Blanchette, octogenarian owner and restorer of the only flying MiG-17PF in the world, Red 620; and Erin Kelley, the only female crew chief of an aerobatic jet demo team in North America.

Randy is the ONLY Jet Demo pilot (military or civilian) to be granted both a day and night unlimited aerobatic rating in jet fighters by the FAA. He has flown over 44 different types of aircraft, manufactured in 9 different countries. Photo via Fighter Jets Demo Team

“Airshow Team is like Top Gun meets Top Gear,” said Lynn Rebuck, creator, producer, and director of the series based on her Smithsonian story. “Viewers get to experience the thrill of the 600-mph ride from in the cockpit and then go into the hangar to see what it takes to make the jet fly.”

While the first season primarily follows Ball, Kelley, and Blanchette, it also features performances by the USAF Thunderbirds and other military jet demo teams including the F-22 Raptor, F-16s, B-2 bomber, and B-52s, as well as top civilian airshow performers. Rebuck hopes to expand the franchise to follow other airshow teams in future seasons. But it all begins with the simple story of a man who was determined to make a rusty old jet fly.

Retired General Motors engineer Jon Blanchette did what many believed impossible: he bought a scrapped Polish fighter jet and turned it into an airshow star. Remarkably, he relied only on his retirement funds, not corporate funding, to restore it. Blanchette then tapped accomplished airshow performer Randy Ball, who boasts more time flying MiGs than any other pilot in North America, to fly the jet at airshows. Ball and his traveling mechanic, Erin Kelley, inspected and tweaked Red 620 before Ball launched into the sky for its first post-restoration flight and began flying it at airshows on the East Coast.

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Impressed with the pristine restoration, Ball urged Blanchette to enter the jet into competition at AirVenture Oshkosh, the largest and most prestigious airshow in the country. Blanchette’s jet took top honors in its Warbird division and received the coveted Silver Wrench for the Best Restoration. Those achievements landed Blanchette’s jet on the cover of Smithsonian’s Air & Space magazine, thanks to Rebuck, a producer and journalist who met the team at an airshow in Pennsylvania.

“When I first spoke with Jon, his wife Bev, and Randy at the airshow, I knew this incredible story of this jet needed to be told,” said Rebuck. “But then I watched Randy fly Red 620 just 20 feet off the ground approaching the speed of sound and realized that it needed to be seen.” So Rebuck began filming airshow performances, interviews with the team, and documenting the team’s jet maintenance routines and repairs. The series, as Ball says, shows “all the stuff that goes on at airshows that you just never see.”

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In one episode, viewers will get to see pilot Randy Ball and his team of volunteers put the tail back onto a MiG-17 fighter jet. Another shows Erin Kelley reconfiguring the oxygen system.

“A jet demo pilot rarely works on his planes,” said Rebuck, “and even more rare that a female mechanic is shown performing jet repairs in a streaming series.”

The Texas cast of Airshow Team: Red 620: (l to r) Mechanic/crew chief Erin Kelley, airshow demo pilot Randy Ball, and volunteer mechanics Sam Swink and John Carmical pose with Ball’s MiG17F at the Tyler Pounds Regional Airport in Tyler, Texas. Photo credit: Lynn Rebuck/LITitz Media Group

Airline staffing shortages have disrupted travel worldwide in recent years, arising from shortages of maintenance technicians, ground crew, and pilots. Multiple industry sources anticipate that the worldwide aviation industry will require at least an additional 500,000 technicians to maintain aircraft in the coming few years, and about 300,000 new pilots to fly them. Rebuck opted to stream Airshow Team for free to encourage a broader audience to pursue careers in aviation.

Airshow Team: Red 620 will stream for free online at www.AirshowTeam.TV. The family-friendly series will premiere globally with the first two episodes of its season on Thursday, February 15, followed by one new episode every Thursday for the next 10 weeks. Airshow Team is produced by LITitz Media Group, an award-winning, woman-owned digital media content creation company.

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