If you're from Colorado Springs, one of the anticipated annual events is the Air Force Academy Graduation. People pull to the side of the road by the thousands to watch the Thunderbirds, officially known as the Air Force Air Demonstration Squadron, honor the graduating seniors with their flyovers.
Yesterday's graduating class was addressed by President Obama, and when the commencement was over and hats were thrown in the air, the President headed to Peterson Air Force Base, as did the Thunderbirds at the completion of their air show.
As the President left the stadium, local stations went on alert to advise that one of the Thunderbirds had crashed just south of Pete Field. You could almost hear the collective celebration to find that the pilot, Major Alex Turner, had not only ejected safely, but had somehow maneuvered his crippled aircraft to an open field, away from traffic and homes, and got it as low to the ground as possible to prevent possible collateral damage prior to ejecting.
Major Turner is not only a hero, but can you imagine the shock of the photographer as this scene unfolded before him? As a photographer, we can only dream of being in this perfect location at the right time, especially when things turn out with such a perfect ending.
Photo courtesy of iStock/Thinkstock
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