June 10, 2007 (Page A1, A12)

By Kristen M. Daum

kdaum@forumcomm.com

The Blue Angels are back in the air and preparing to fly in Fargo.

The U.S. Navy's elite flight demonstration team has returned to its regular routine for the past three weeks, after a Blue Angels pilot died seven weeks ago when his plane crashed during a performance.

This means Fargo AirSho spectators can expect the standard Blue Angels performance during this weekend's two-day event.

After the Blue Angel's crash in April, many worried the tragedy might affect the Blues' ability to highlight the AirSho, as they did in 2005, 2002, and 1997.

But the Blues' accident still brings to light the AirSho's security measures, begging the question: What if such an accident happened here?

Overcoming tragedy

The Blue Angels returned to their six-plane show about three weeks ago, after recruiting a former team member to fill the slot of Lt. Cmdr. Kevin J. Davis, the pilot who was killed.

Lt. Cmdr. Craig Olson, who flew with the Blues from 2003-05, will remain as the replacement pilot for the remainder of the season, said Lt. Cmdr. Garrett Kasper of the Blue Angels' public affairs office.

The Blues are performing about 35 shows this year, including the Fargo Airsho.

The flight team was down one plane after the accident, performing with five planes for about four weeks, Kasper said.

"It's been a very smooth transition," Kasper said. "We've been flying as often as possible - every chance we get."

The crash is still under investigation, and the cause has not yet been determined, Kasper said.

Kasper said Fargo's performance will be the same show spectators would have seen before the crash - with no alterations in maneuvers or programming.

He said it was the Blue Angels' duty as ambassadors for the U.S. Navy and Marines to return to their normal routine as soon as possible.

"It's our job to get back in the saddle and to show the American people how resilient - how truly resilient - the Navy and Marines are," Kasper said.

What if?

Although the chances of a plane crash during the Airsho are slim, officials say they are prepared to handle such a situation if it does arise.

"We're going to have 20,000 people come on to an airfield, where typically nobody gets onto an airfield," Airsho co-chairman Dick Walstad said. "There are some measures that have to be taken."

For basic security, spectators will only be allowed in certain areas, with potentially dangerous areas - such as the runway - being roped off from access, Walstad said.

Also, the stretch of 19th Avenue North that lies in front of Hector International Airport will be closed during performances.

The avenue is part of a 15,000 square-foot area where no one - not even AirSho crew - is allowed while planes are in flight, Walstad said.

"It's a safety issue," he said. "They don't want to be flying any planes around with anyone beneath it."

The Blue Angels' crash involved just the pilot and his plane. But if a crash were to affect spectators, AirSho officials have an emergency plan ready.

The plan calls for aid from the North Dakota Air National Guard and the F-M Ambulance Service, as well as Fargo and surrounding-area police and fire departments, among other agencies.

If a crash occurred on the airport grounds, the Air National Guard would be in charge, said guard Fire Chief Mark Solem. Otherwise, the Fargo Fire Department would lead the crisis management.

If mass casualties resulted, authorities would then coordinate with local hospitals to handle the injured, Solem said, although several Meritcare medical personnel will be on hand throughout the two-day show.

Within minutes of a crash, a perimeter would be set up about 1,000 feet around the crash site. Only medical and law enforcement officials would be allowed near it, Solem said.

The best thing spectators can do?

Stay calm, move away from the crash site, make way for emergency response personnel and listen to instructions from the loudspeaker, Solem said.

But, again, the odds that these emergency measures would ever need to be implemented are slim, Walstad said.

"In the 50 years that there've been air shows, not a single spectator has died," he said.

Nonetheless, Fargo is prepared.

"We'll be ready for it, and we'll stay on top of it," said Mark Hall, executive director of the F-M Ambulance Service.