bubbleinfo.com

 From sddt.com:

The general public is invited to Naval Base San Diego for the first-ever Surface Navy Holiday Lights Event on Dec. 6.

Visitors can drive on the base to view Navy ships decked out in holiday cheer and tour one of the Navy’s finest ships. Admission is free and families are welcome.

The Navy Band Southwest will also play while the public is treated to cocoa and cookies. Visitors should drive to Gate 2, located on Harbor Drive at Belt Street, between 6:30 and 9 p.m.

There will be a prescribed tour route for cars to drive to view ships moored along the piers. Guests can also park at the end of the route for a ship tour.

Visitors cannot bring potentially dangerous items on the base, according to Navy officials. Checkpoints will be established at all venue entrances and at the entrance to the pier for ship tours where all bags will be inspected. All individuals also are subject to search prior to entering the venue gates or onto the pier.

Spectators should minimize the number and size of permitted items to cut their inspection times, officials said.

All adults must also have a valid form of identification. To drive a vehicle onto the base, the driver must also have a valid driver’s license, current registration and physical proof of insurance. For rental cars, a valid driver’s license, proof of insurance and car rental agreement will be required.

Only cars, passenger vans and light trucks will be granted access to the base. Pedestrians, bicyclists and motorcycle riders will not be allowed to enter the gate.

Regardless of permit, weapons, including firearms, any kind of knife, replica or toy weapons, ammunition, fireworks, Molotov cocktails, pipe bombs, black jack, billy/sand club, baseball bats, batons, bows, arrows, crossbows, metal knuckles, razor blades, nunchakus, slingshots, pepper spray, stun guns and any other weapon prohibited by state law or any offensive or defensive weapon, including chemical agents and explosives, are not allowed.

Also prohibitted are illegal narcotics, drugs and synthetics, including “spice,” ice chests or coolers, pets other than service animals, glass containers, bicycles, roller skates, roller blades, scooters, skateboards, backpacks and bags or purses larger than 8.5 by 11 inches.

This is long but incredibly clear videography of the F-18 demo – at least go to the 5-min mark:

Thanks to AL for sending this in!

This beautiful airplane was built by Republic Aircraft in Farmingdale, Long Island, N.Y. (Watch for the ground chief riding on the wing while taxiing). The pilot couldn’t see over the elevated nose and there wasn’t enough room for the usual “S” turns. The pilot was watching for directions from the chief on the wing.

As we say GOOD-BYE and THANK YOU to our rapidly thinning ranks of World War II veterans, take a five minute break from whatever you’re doing and join some of them on a P-47 bombing mission over Germany.

This youtube captured the Navy’s Parade of Flight yesterday with extra zoom – go full screen:

A show worth seeing a couple of times in your life – here are highlights from last year, in high-def!

One of the best things you can do on Veterans Day is to support those on active duty.  Long-timers here will remember our dear friend Aunt Nancy, who runs a website where you can volunteer to send a gift package to the troops for the holidays:

http://www.auntnancyusa.com/

While we’ll be nestled around the fireplace with family during the holidays, our bravest will be in harm’s way – here’s eight seconds’ worth:

Do what you can!