World Through My Eyes: 2023.09.29 Pacific Airshow at Huntington Beach

I like to watch airplanes flying in the sky, it gives me a feeling of freedom and unrestrainedness. Watching the air show added some excitement and thrill. We went to Huntington Beach on September 29, 2023 to see the air show. Older planes are with cute shapes. The new advanced streamlined fighter jets sometimes appear silently, then suddenly accelerate and rush out from behind, startling everyone. I don't know much about airplanes. The F-22 Raptor and F-35 Lightning II or EA-18G Growler and F/-18 Super Hornet are very similar in appearance. I can only use Google Lens to search for the information so please bear with me if the airplanes are not recognized correctly. Occasionally, a few seabirds, not wanting to be left out, want to show off their skills and join the performance. The fast fighter often tests my reaction speed when pressing the shutter. Photos with missing heads, missing wings, or nothing at all can happen. Sometimes the pilot deliberately slows down the flight speed so that we can capture the handsome figure of the aircraft, but the smoke that follows is mixed with the thick smell of gas and oil, making us dumbfounded. Although the flight performance can be seen on video, it is more fun and exciting to watch it live.

我很喜歡看飛機翱翔在天空，給我一種自由奔放的感覺，看飛行表演更加添了一些興奮及刺激。我們2023年9月29日到亨廷頓海灘 (Huntington Beach) 看飛行表演。古老一點的飛機，有著可愛的造型。新型先進的流線型戰鬥機，有時無聲無息悄然出現，然後突然加速轟然從背後衝出，把大家嚇一大跳。我平常對飛機沒有研究，F-22 "猛禽" 戰鬥機 (Raptor) 及 F35 "閃電II" (Lightning II) 或者 EA-18G “咆哮者” 及 F/A-18 “大黄蜂” 外型很像，我只能用Google Lens 來搜尋資料，如果飛機辨識錯誤，只好請包涵了。在飛行表演當中，偶爾也會看到幾隻海鳥不甘寂寞，想大展身手加入表演的行列。神速的戰鬥機，常是檢測我按快門的反應速度，缺頭、缺翼、或全不見身影的照片都是會發生的。有時飛行員還故意放慢飛行速度，讓我們能捕捉飛機俊美的身影，只是跟著而來的煙霧夾雜著濃濃的氣油味，讓我們哭笑不得。雖然在影片上可以看到飛行表演，現場看還是更有趣、更刺激。

Parachute Team 降落傘隊

U.S. Army Golden Knights and the Leap Frogs Navy Parachute Team were seen in the jump. The Leap Frogs Navy Parachute Team is made up of active-duty Navy SEALs, Special Warfare Combatant-craft Crewmen (SWCC) and support personnel.

這次跳傘活動中出現了美國陸軍「金騎士」（Golden Knights）跳傘隊和海軍「跳蛙」（Leap Frogs）跳傘隊的身影。「跳蛙」跳傘隊由現役海軍海豹部隊（Navy SEALs）隊員、特種作戰戰鬥艇乘員（SWCC）及支援人員組成。

Aerobatics 特技飛行

Bird(s) wanting to be a part of the action

也想參一腳的鳥

Ace Maker Aviation T–33 Shooting Star

The Lockheed T-33 Shooting Star (or T-Bird) is an American subsonic jet trainer. It was produced by Lockheed and made its first flight in 1948. It was used by the U.S. Navy initially as TO-2, then TV-2, and after 1962, T-33B. The last operator of the T-33, the Bolivian Air Force, retired the type in July 2017, after 44 years of service.

洛克希德 T-33「流星」（Shooting Star，亦稱 T-Bird）是一款美國製造的亞音速噴射教練機。該機由洛克希德公司生產，於 1948 年首飛。它最初在美國海軍服役時，型號先後為 TO-2 和 TV-2， 1962 年後改稱為 T-33B。 T-33 的最後一個使用國——玻利維亞空軍——在經歷了 44 年的服役期後，於 2017 年 7 月將該機型退役。

Tom Larkin - SubSonex Mini Jet

MINI JET AIRSHOWS is a lifelong dream of the pilot Tom “Lark” Larkin. Having watched the BD-5J perform as a child at a local airshow, and then later becoming a fighter pilot, airline pilot, and aerobatic pilot; it was always his dream to do airshows in a “mini” jet. SubSonex Mini Jet is a light-weight jet perfect for high energy acrobatic flying. Tom “Lark” Larkin is an Air Force Veteran, served in Northern Iraq in support of Operation Northern Watch and Provide Comfort. He was later selected as an Instructor for the Air Force Fighter Lead-In School in the AT-38.

MINI JET AIRSHOWS 是飛行員湯姆「雲雀」拉金（Tom “Lark” Larkin）的畢生夢想。他兒時曾在當地航展上目睹 BD-5J 噴射機的飛行表演，後來歷經戰鬥機飛行員、民航飛行員及特技飛行員的職業生涯，駕駛「迷你」噴射機進行表演始終是他的夙願。 SubSonex Mini Jet 是一款輕型噴射機，非常適合高能量的特技飛行。湯姆「雲雀」拉金是一位退休空軍軍人，曾於伊拉克北部服役，參與支持「北方守望行動」（Operation Northern Watch）和「安撫行動」（Operation Provide Comfort）；此後，他入選空軍戰鬥機先導訓練學校（Fighter Lead-In School），擔任 AT-38 教練機飛行教官。

U.S. Navy EA-18G Growler and/or U.S. Navy F/-18 Super Hornet

The EA-18G Growler is a variant in the F/A-18 family of aircraft that combines the proven F/A-18F Super Hornet platform with a sophisticated electronic warfare suite. Built to replace the EA-6B Prowler, the Growler is the first newly-designed electronic warfare aircraft produced in more than 35 years. The aircraft also retains all of the F/A-18E/F's multi-mission capabilities with its validated design and the capability to perform a wide range of enemy defense suppression missions. F/A-18E/F Super Hornet entered fleet service in 1999, as the replacement for the F-14 Tomcat. The Super Hornet is the second major model upgrade since the inception of the F/A-18 aircraft program highly capable across the full mission spectrum: air superiority, fighter escort, reconnaissance, aerial refueling, close air support, air defense suppression and day/night precision strike. The single-seat F/A-18E and the two-seat F/A-18F are high performance, twin-engine, mid-wing, and multi-mission tactical aircraft designed to replace the F/A-18C (single-seat) and F/A-18D (two-seat) aircraft as they reach the end of their service lives and retire.

EA-18G「咆哮者」（Growler）是 F/A-18 系列飛機中的一個改型，它將成熟可靠的 F/A-18F「超級大黃蜂」（Super Hornet）平台與先進的電子戰系統結合在了一起。作為 EA-6B「徘徊者」（Prowler）的替代機型，「咆哮者」是 35 年來首款全新設計的電子戰飛機。該機不僅保留了 F/A-18E/F 經實戰驗證的設計及其所有多任務能力，還具備執行多種壓制敵方防空任務的能力。 F/A-18E/F「超級大黃蜂」於 1999 年進入部隊服役，旨在取代 F-14「雄貓」（Tomcat）戰鬥機。「超級大黃蜂」是 F/A-18 飛機計畫啟動以來的第二次重大型號升級，具備極強的全任務能力，涵蓋爭奪制空權、戰鬥機護航、偵察、空中加油、近距離空中支援、壓制防空系統以及晝夜精確打擊等任務。單座型 F/A-18E 和雙座型 F/A-18F 均為高性能、雙發、中單翼多任務戰術飛機，旨在接替即將達到服役年限並退役的 F/A-18C（單座）和 F/A-18D（雙座）機型。

U.S. Air Force C-130 Hercules

The C-130 Hercules primarily performs the tactical portion of the airlift mission. The aircraft is capable of operating from rough, dirt strips and is the prime transport for airdropping troops and equipment into hostile areas. The C-130 operates throughout the U.S. Air Force, serving with Air Mobility Command, Air Force Special Operations Command, Air Combat Command, U.S. Air Forces in Europe, Pacific Air Forces, Air National Guard and the Air Force Reserve Command, fulfilling a wide range of operational missions in both peace and war situations. Basic and specialized versions of the aircraft airframe perform a diverse number of roles, including airlift support, Antarctic ice resupply, aeromedical missions, weather reconnaissance, aerial spray missions, firefighting duties for the U.S. Forest Service and natural disaster relief missions.

C-130「大力士」運輸機主要承擔空運任務中的戰術運輸職能。該機能夠在簡易土質跑道上起降，是將部隊和裝備空投至敵對區域的首選運輸機型。 C-130 廣泛服役於美國空軍各部門，包括空軍機動司令部、空軍特種作戰司令部、空戰司令部、駐歐美國空軍、太平洋空軍、空軍國民警衛隊及空軍預備役司令部，在和平與戰爭時期執行多種作戰任務。此機型的基礎版及特種改型承擔廣泛的任務職能，涵蓋空運支援、南極冰蓋補給、航空醫療後送、氣象偵察、空中噴灑作業、協助美國林業局進行滅火任務以及自然災害救援行動。

Lyon Air Museum C-47 "Willa Dean"

Known as the “Willa Dean,” the Lyon Air Museum’s C-47 is one of the most complete and original C-47s currently in operation and has been flying since 1941. The Lyon Air Museum was founded by Major General William Lyon and is located in Orange County, CA. On exhibit at the museum are authentic aircraft, rare vehicles and related memorabilia with an emphasis on the defining event of the 20th Century – World War II.

里昂航空博物館（Lyon Air Museum）擁有一架綽號為「Willa Dean」的 C-47 運輸機；該機自 1941 年投入使用以來一直保持飛行狀態，是目前現存且仍在運行的 C-47 飛機中，保存最完整、原貌保留最好的機型之一。里昂航空博物館由威廉·里昂（William Lyon）少將創立，位於加州橙縣（Orange County）。館內展出各類實體飛機、稀有車輛及相關紀念物品，重點呈現了 20 世紀最具決定性的歷史事件－第二次世界大戰。

Canadian Forces Snowbirds

The Snowbirds, officially known as 431 Air Demonstration Squadron, are the military aerobatics flight demonstration team of the Royal Canadian Air Force. The Snowbirds' official purpose is to "demonstrate the skill, professionalism, and teamwork of Canadian Forces personnel". The team also provides a public relations and recruiting role, and serves as an aerial ambassador for the Canadian Armed Forces. The Snowbirds are the first Canadian air demonstration team to be designated as a squadron.

「雪鳥」飛行表演隊（正式名稱為第431空中表演中隊）是加拿大皇家空軍的軍事飛行表演隊。「雪鳥」的正式宗旨是「展現加拿大武裝部隊人員的技能、專業素養與團隊協作精神」。該隊還承擔公共關係與招募職能，並作為加拿大武裝部隊的空中形像大使發揮作用。「雪鳥」是加拿大首支被賦予中隊編製的飛行表演隊伍。

Opener BlackFly

The Opener BlackFly is an American electric-powered VTOL personal air vehicle designed by Canadian engineer Marcus Leng. It was publicly revealed in 2018, after nine years of development. The aircraft is intended to be supplied complete and ready-to-fly and Opener are in the process of starting production at their Palo Alto, California site. The manufacturer claims that the design is the world's first ultralight fixed-wing, all-electric, vertical take-off and landing aircraft. Investors in the company include Google co-founder Larry Page.

Opener BlackFly 是一款由加拿大工程師馬庫斯·倫格（Marcus Leng）設計的美國電動垂直起降（VTOL）個人飛行器。該飛行器歷經九年研發，並於 2018 年首次公開亮相。 Opener 計劃以整機即飛（ready-to-fly）的形式交付該產品，目前正著手在其位於加州帕洛阿爾托（Palo Alto）的基地啟動生產。製造商聲稱，這是全球首款超輕量固定翼全電動垂直起降飛行器。該公司的投資者包括Google聯合創始人拉里·佩奇（Larry Page）。

Helicopters 直升機

Red Bull - Bo-105 Helicopter

In 1963, the company MBB (known today as Eurocopter) began thinking about building 2-ton-class helicopters. The Federal Republic of Germany indicated its willingness to provide financial support, and extensive project studies were begun at what was then known as Bölkow-Entwicklungen KG. The essential concept was not the helicopter, however, but rather a new type of rotor system around which a helicopter was to be developed. In 1966, promising tests began on a hingeless rotor system. The BO-105 was the first light helicopter in the world to be equipped with twin engines, fully redundant hydraulics, fully redundant electronics and its fuel and oil supplies built into the engines. Aaron Fitzgerald is an ATP-rated helicopter pilot with more than 9,000 flight hours and is an active member of The Flying Bulls and Red Bull Air Force in the U.S.

1963 年，MBB 公司（即如今的歐洲直升機公司）開始構思製造2噸級直升機。在聯邦德國表示願意提供資金支持後，當時名為Bölkow-Entwicklungen KG 的公司啟動了廣泛的專案研究。其核心理念並非僅僅在於製造直升機本身，而是要研發一種新型旋翼系統，並以此為基礎建造整架直升機。1966年，一項關於無鉸式旋翼系統的測試啟動，並取得了令人鼓舞的成果。BO-105 是全球首款配備雙引擎、全冗餘液壓系統及全冗餘電子系統的輕型直升機，其燃油和潤滑油供應系統均整合在引擎內部。亞倫·菲茨杰拉德（Aaron Fitzgerald）是一位持有ATP（航線運輸駕駛員）執照的直升機飛行員，擁有超過9000小時的飛行經驗，同時也是美國「飛牛」（The Flying Bulls）飛行表演隊和「紅牛空軍」（Red Bull Air Force）的活躍成員。

U.S. Air Force KC-135

The KC-135 Stratotanker provides the core aerial refueling capability for the United States Air Force and has excelled in this role for more than 60 years. This unique asset enhances the Air Force's capability to accomplish its primary mission of global reach. It also provides aerial refueling support to Air Force, Navy, Marine Corps and allied nation aircraft. The KC-135 is also capable of transporting litter and ambulatory patients using patient support pallets during aeromedical evacuations.

KC-135「同溫層加油機」（Stratotanker）為美國空軍提供核心空中加油能力，並在這一角色上表現卓越，服役已超過60年。這項獨特的裝備增強了空軍實現其「全球到達」這一首要任務的能力。它也為空軍、海軍、海軍陸戰隊及盟軍軍機提供空中加油支援。此外，在航空醫療後送任務中，KC-135 還能利用醫療支援托盤運送擔架傷病者及行動能力尚存的傷病者。

U.S. Air Force F-22 Raptor

The F-22 Raptor is combination of stealth, supercruise, maneuverability, and integrated avionics, coupled with improved supportability, represents an exponential leap in warfighting capabilities. The Raptor performs both air-to-air and air-to-ground missions allowing full realization of operational concepts vital to the 21st century Air Force.

F-22「猛禽」戰鬥機集隱身、超音速巡航、高機動性和綜合航空電子系統於一身，並具備更佳的保障性能，代表了作戰能力的一次質的飛躍。「猛禽」既能執行空對空任務，也能執行空對地任務，從而能夠充分實現對21世紀空軍至關重要的各項作戰理念。

U.S. Air Force F-22 Raptor, F-35 Lightning II, U.S. Air Force Heritage Flight - P-51D Mustang

The F-35A is the U.S. Air Force’s latest fifth-generation fighter. It will replace the U.S. Air Force’s aging fleet of F-16 Fighting Falcons and A-10 Thunderbolt II’s, which have been the primary fighter aircraft for more than 20 years, and bring with it an enhanced capability to survive in the advanced threat environment in which it was designed to operate. With its aerodynamic performance and advanced integrated avionics, the F-35A will provide next-generation stealth, enhanced situational awareness, and reduced vulnerability for the United States and allied nations.

The North American Aviation P-51 Mustang is an American long-range, single-seat fighter and fighter-bomber used during World War II and the Korean War, among other conflicts. The Mustang was designed in April 1940. The aircraft was first flown operationally by the RAF as a tactical-reconnaissance aircraft and fighter-bomber (Mustang Mk I).

F-35A 是美國空軍最新的第五代戰鬥機。它將取代美國空軍老化的 F-16「戰隼」（Fighting Falcon）和 A-10「雷電 II」（Thunderbolt II）機隊——這些機型作為主力戰機已服役二十餘年——並使其具備更強的生存能力，以應對其設計之初所預想的先進威脅環境。憑藉其優異的氣動性能和先進的綜合航空電子系統，F-35A 將為美國及其盟國提供下一代隱身能力、增強的態勢感知能力以及更低的易損性。

北美航空 P-51「野馬」式（Mustang）是美國研發的一架遠程單座戰鬥機兼戰鬥轟炸機，曾服役於第二次世界大戰、韓戰及其他衝突。「野馬」式於 1940 年 4 月設計；該機最初由英國皇家空軍投入實戰，執行戰術偵察和戰鬥轟炸任務（型號為 Mustang Mk I）。

U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds

The USAF Air Demonstration Squadron ("Thunderbirds") is the air demonstration squadron of the United States Air Force (USAF). The Thunderbirds are assigned to the 57th Wing, and are based at Nellis Air Force Base, Nevada. Created 70 years ago in 1953, the USAF Thunderbirds are the third-oldest formal flying aerobatic team (under the same name) in the world, after the French Air Force Patrouille de France formed in 1931 and the United States Navy Blue Angels formed in 1946. The Thunderbirds Squadron tours the United States and much of the world, performing aerobatic formation and solo flying in specially marked aircraft. The squadron's name is taken from the legendary creature that appears in the mythologies of several indigenous North American cultures.

美國空軍「雷鳥」("Thunderbirds") 飛行表演隊是美國空軍的官方飛行表演隊伍。該隊隸屬於第57聯隊，駐紮在內華達州的內利斯空軍基地。「雷鳥」飛行表演隊成立於 1953 年，距今已有 70 年歷史；它是世界上第三古老的正式飛行表演隊（沿用同一名稱），僅次於 1931 年成立的法國空軍「法蘭西巡邏兵」表演隊（Patrouille de France）和 1946 年成立的美國海軍「藍天使」表演隊 (Blue Angels）。「雷鳥」飛行表演隊足跡遍及美國各地及世界許多國家，駕駛塗有特殊標誌的飛機進行編隊及單機特技飛行表演。該隊的名稱源自北美多個原住民文化神話傳說中的傳奇生物—「雷鳥」。