Hometown Heros
Last night I went to the Airpower Over Hampton Roads Airshow. I stopped near a parking lot at the end of the runway, and was treated to the return of four F-15E Strike Eagle pilots. As they walked towards us, they asked us how they looked and if their 4 ship formation was nice and tight. They then joked that this pictured pilot here, was probably way off the mark, I even commented that I didn’t get his plane in even with THAT lens. It was fun to see the human aspect of an airshow, and having a laugh with these hometown heros. I can’t believe how young these “kids” looked.
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Michael Bermi...
Brilliant Story and Portrait buddy.
“Great Balls of Fire!”
Andy Mueller replied
Thank you so much my friend!
Tracey Mac
Oh my….....gotta love pilots!!! Wow you lucky thing Andy….....watchiing F15’s at the airshow…....I’m highly jealous!!! Do you have some images of the jets? :)
I went to an Airshow in Missouri a couple of years ago and it was the best airshow I’ve ever seen!! So Yeah…..I’m green with envy….
Nice shot by the way!!!
Andy Mueller replied
Thank you so much Tracey. Last night was sort of just a teaser, tomorrow I’m going all day !!! I have tons of shots but really limit how many I will post here. You’ll see some soon! Aren’t airshows awesome? Did you get good shots when you went?
Michael Bermi...
“Hey…..We Coulda had him…....We coulda had him man!”
“I WILL FIRE WHEN I’M GOD DAMN GOOD AND READY…..YOU GOT THAT!!”
LOL
Andy Mueller replied
I remember that “quote”. We’ll have to watch that movie too, when you are here ….
Michael Bermi...
Sorry….. I’m having a “Top Gun” flashback
:o)
Angel Perry
Wow! You had a very… in your face position. Lucky you! Works great in black and white. Love the expressions on their faces.
Andy Mueller replied
They were having a ball, I got some other shots of all four of them, looking a little more serious. I liked their expression a lot as well. Don’t they just look like kids?
Angel Perry
ha ha ha! Lol at Bubba!
Andy Mueller replied
Bubba never fails, does he!?
Carla Jensen
Outstanding Black and White Portrait …Andy!! of these Hometown Heros !And your right our guys in the Service are looking younger younger everyday ,or is it that I am getting older! lol lol Fantastic job on capturing the men behind the plane ! wtg
Andy Mueller replied
Thank you so much for your comment, Carla. You know, maybe that is what it is, we’re just getting older …..
Sandy Woolard
Nice capture…I agree with Michael…”Top Gun” flashback!!!
Andy Mueller replied
The “kid” looks a bit like Maverick, doesn’t he?
adgray
AWESOME Andy!
and the fly-boys are pretty cute to! lol
[[[SALUTE!!]]]
Andy Mueller replied
Well, I have to admit, they were some good looking fellas …. I just can’t even imagine how cool that job would be. I really salute them as well, for what they do/are willing to do …
adgray
NAAA Waaay cuter than Cruise with the squinty too close eyes!
(Yep yep ok Boss getting back to it!
White & two got it and not strained through the mess sarge’s sox [even if they were clean!]
Powdered milk ok? I think I could rummage up some condensed …..
and me mum sent me a cake …. wha?
OH the Challenge …. right! .... Yes sir right on it!)
[[[Salute!]]
Peter Lessey
Great photo Andy, a fitting title in times like these. They do look young, I think the same when I revisit my old unit.
Very well captured. – Peter
Andy Mueller replied
Hi Peter, thank you for the comment. You are prior service as well? What branch? When?
Krys Bailey
Great informal portrait work Andy!!! They look well pleased and so they should be! ;o)
Andy Mueller replied
Thank you so much Krys …. Tomorrow I get to handhold my 50-500mm Bigma all day ….. oh the sacrifices one makes … hehehe, going to the airshow all day ….
Von McKnelly
I know if I had just crawled out of the cockpit of a fighter I too would have a shit eaten grin.
Killer snap Andy!
Andy Mueller replied
You know, I would too. What a cool “job” that must be. Going to the airshow tomorrow, so hoping to get a few keepers. Where have you been? Been missing you last week.
Leslie Wood
Great shot and story Andy. They do look mighty young.
Andy Mueller replied
Thank you Leslie, don’t they look so young? And “driving” million dollar machines …. What responsibility at such young age!
nadine henley
this is a great portrait, Andy! – the rapport wth the photographer shines through
Andy Mueller replied
Thank you Nadine, very kind of you to say …
Marvin Collins
Excellent image and story Andy
Andy Mueller replied
Thank you as always, Marvin!
Béla Török
Brilliant portrait, Andy!
Andy Mueller replied
Thank you so much Bela, more like a “snapshot” but I take your portrait reference as a huge compliment!
Lance Leopold
Fabulous!!!!!
Andy Mueller replied
Thank you so much Lance!
Jonicool
What a treat this is…I agree, they do look so young.
Andy Mueller replied
Maybe we are just getting older, huh? Kids, I tell you!!!!
Scott d'Almeida
perfect.
Andy Mueller replied
Thank you Scott!
jacqleen
oooh THE REAL TOP GUNS…...........! LOVE the Natural Expression here and YOU have captured it PERFECTLY!!! GREAT WORK!
Andy Mueller replied
Thank you so much, TOO kind for you to say, but I will take it!
loua
great soot mate i love it so much it remind me at the great top gun movie,....loua
Michele Conner
I really like this a lot. Seems you have somehow really captured the essence of the pilot in front with his expression. I like the composition too, and the background is blurred just perfectly to keep the focus where you want it. Excellent.
Andy Mueller replied
Thank you Michele!!!
Kevin Bergen
Hats off to you and kids just like this! I always stop, shake hands, and thank those in uniform for their service. We owe much!
Andy Mueller replied
Thank you so much Kevin, that is too kind!
Jennifer Murray
Awesome portrait Andy! Love the fresh all American look of these service men.
Rick & Deb Larson
A beautiful portrait capture of two of our many HEROES, well done Andy!! Take Care ~ Deb ~ :)
Maureen Maliha
Wonderful. Yes about their youth. We should ALL be proud. Thanks for sharing this one.Terrific capture.
Carla Jandelle... 24 days ago
In the years I was with/around the military….I’d see all the people that came home…some who flew themselves and others who were flown….and the smile never changed. All were heros and beautiful and young in heart still. A great image…....