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CNN Saturday Morning News
THE NOVAK ZONE: Interview with Russ Bartlett
Aired May 24, 2003 - 09:29 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
MARTIN SAVIDGE, CNN ANCHOR: This week on "The Novak Zone," an interview with an angel. Commander Russ Bartlett flies with the Navy's legendary Blue Angels. Our Robert Novak with more on Bartlett's high-flying job.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
ROBERT NOVAK, HOST: Welcome to "The Novak Zone."
I'm Robert Novak at the U.S. Naval air facility at Andrews Air Force Base in Maryland.
My guest is Commander Russ Bartlett, the lead aviator, they call him Boss Bartlett, of the Blue Angels, the famous U.S. Navy demonstration team.
Boss Bartlett, the Blue Angels have been thrilling audiences around America since 1946. But with all the attention on television, of carrier aviation in the war with Iraq, is there even more interest now?
CMDR. RUSS "BOSS" BARTLETT, FLIGHT LEADER, BLUE ANGELS: Absolutely, sir. I mean, I think during Iraqi Freedom, American people got to watch the war on TV. They saw the embedded reporters. They got to see what our forces were doing out there. And based on the response we've got on the show season so far, they like what they see, and we're out there to show them a little bit of navel aviation.
NOVAK: Commander, in the first Gulf War, you flew 33 sorties. Tell us what the difference is between flying in real combat and flying in exhibitions for the Blue Angels.
BARTLETT: Well, I'd say the pucker factor is about the same, especially early in the season. But we do a lot of the same types of thing. This -- it's a teamwork operation. You never go out there by yourself. There's layers upon layers of support to make it all come together.
So we do a lot of the same things, just that now we're flying the blue jets and we're putting on demonstrations. But we're in similar- size packages that we might have flown during Desert Storm.
NOVAK: Now, there have been Blue Angels who have died or been killed in your demonstrations. What is the risk factor of what you're doing? BARTLETT: Well, sir, I mean, this is a high-visibility operation, so obviously it's very important to us to be very professional and do everything in the best manner that we can. So we practice at length before the season even begins, and then at each show site.
So by the time we actually execute an air show, we've seen that show site at least three times, including two full practices. So we do everything we can to build the familiarity with the show site and to polish our routine.
NOVAK: Now, the main purpose, I understand, is recruiting. You get...
BARTLETT: Absolutely.
NOVAK: ... young men and women to become naval aviators. How are you doing on that score?
BARTLETT: I think we're doing great, sir. Like I said, the response from the public, especially this year, it's been overwhelming. And it's just a great way to go out there and showcase a little bit of naval aviation and show the people of America something about the forces they have invested in. So it's a treat to go out there and meet the kids of America, sir.
NOVAK: Commander, you're flying a F-18 Hornet. Are those -- how are they used in combat? Were they used in combat in the recent war in Iraq?
BARTLETT: Oh, yes, sir, this is the front-line strike fighter in the Navy and Marine Corps right now. And these jets are just like the ones that are flying out there at the ship.
These are a little bit older, and we fly them without a lot of the external fuel tanks and accessories that you need for combat. We just prepare them specifically for the flights here. But it's the same basic airframe that's out there on the aircraft carriers right now.
NOVAK: Boss Bartlett, there are 10 Blue Angel aviators in your group. Is there a highly competitive -- is that a competition to get to be a Blue Angel? And what are the basis for selecting who gets to fly with you?
BARTLETT: Well, everybody who's is on the team is a -- I guess you could call them a proven quantity. They have been out doing their specialty in the fleet, either as an aviator or as an airplane mechanic, a whole variety of skill sets.
And they apply. It's a all-volunteer program to come to the team. They apply, they interview. They kind of rush the team, as if it were a, you know, a big squadron where we pick our own replacements.
So they come, we get to know them. We select down to a group of finalists. We invite them down to finalist week. We have another week with them, and then we make the final cut from within. So we select our own replacements. It's a pretty neat process.
NOVAK: Is it pretty competitive? Is there a lot of people want to be...
BARTLETT: Oh, (UNINTELLIGIBLE)...
NOVAK: ... (UNINTELLIGIBLE)?
BARTLETT: Yes, sir, I think you could say it's pretty competitive. It's a great job, it's a wonderful opportunity for all of us. And I think there's a pretty big pool out there of folks who would like to do it. So we're pretty happy about that.
NOVAK: Commander, as a U.S. Air Force counterpart of the Thunderbirds, now, they don't land on carriers, you do. What's the difference between a Air Force pilot and a naval aviator, do you think?
BARTLETT: Well, we hang out with the Thunderbirds every now and then when we get the opportunity. And you'll find that they are a lot like us. Our demonstrations are similar. Our training is similar. We do a lot of the same types of things.
We do have that whole carrier thing, and that's something we like to remind our Air Force counterparts whenever we get the chance. But very similar.
NOVAK: A little extra difficult -- degree of difficulty, huh?
BARTLETT: It adds, I guess, a little pucker factor at the end of the flight.
NOVAK: Commander, in 1950 the Blue Angel, during the Korean War the Blue Angels were called to combat. We were a little short of everything at the beginning of that war. Are the Blue Angels prepared to go to war if called to at any time by the government?
BARTLETT: Well, sir, I think that was a pretty exceptional circumstance during the Korean War. We've got the airplanes and the people and the skills, but I don't really think that in the current environment, that we would need to do that.
And in fact, during our Iraqi Freedom, I thought our role was pretty important, going around the country and telling them about the people who we represent out there on the front lines. So I don't really foresee that happening. But that was pretty amazing they did that in 1950.
NOVAK: And now the big question for commander Russ "Boss" Bartlett.
Commander, there has only been one Blue Angel who has become an astronaut. You graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy in aeronautical engineering. Would you someday like to go into flight? Into space, as an astronaut?
BARTLETT: That would be an amazing opportunity, sir, that would be really neat. But my -- I think my opportunity to do that is probably past. I had an opportunity to go to test pilot school about 10 years ago, and I chose a different route, and here I am today. So I couldn't be happier with the way it turned out.
But we've got some good folks out there filling those slots. Talk about competitive, that's an amazing process.
NOVAK: You can never be too sure. John Glenn went into space at twice your age.
BARTLETT: Yes, yes, he did, sir.
NOVAK: Thank you very, Commander Bartlett.
BARTLETT: My pleasure, sir, thank you.
NOVAK: And thank you for being in "The Novak Zone."
(END VIDEOTAPE)
TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com
Aired May 24, 2003 - 09:29 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
MARTIN SAVIDGE, CNN ANCHOR: This week on "The Novak Zone," an interview with an angel. Commander Russ Bartlett flies with the Navy's legendary Blue Angels. Our Robert Novak with more on Bartlett's high-flying job.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
ROBERT NOVAK, HOST: Welcome to "The Novak Zone."
I'm Robert Novak at the U.S. Naval air facility at Andrews Air Force Base in Maryland.
My guest is Commander Russ Bartlett, the lead aviator, they call him Boss Bartlett, of the Blue Angels, the famous U.S. Navy demonstration team.
Boss Bartlett, the Blue Angels have been thrilling audiences around America since 1946. But with all the attention on television, of carrier aviation in the war with Iraq, is there even more interest now?
CMDR. RUSS "BOSS" BARTLETT, FLIGHT LEADER, BLUE ANGELS: Absolutely, sir. I mean, I think during Iraqi Freedom, American people got to watch the war on TV. They saw the embedded reporters. They got to see what our forces were doing out there. And based on the response we've got on the show season so far, they like what they see, and we're out there to show them a little bit of navel aviation.
NOVAK: Commander, in the first Gulf War, you flew 33 sorties. Tell us what the difference is between flying in real combat and flying in exhibitions for the Blue Angels.
BARTLETT: Well, I'd say the pucker factor is about the same, especially early in the season. But we do a lot of the same types of thing. This -- it's a teamwork operation. You never go out there by yourself. There's layers upon layers of support to make it all come together.
So we do a lot of the same things, just that now we're flying the blue jets and we're putting on demonstrations. But we're in similar- size packages that we might have flown during Desert Storm.
NOVAK: Now, there have been Blue Angels who have died or been killed in your demonstrations. What is the risk factor of what you're doing? BARTLETT: Well, sir, I mean, this is a high-visibility operation, so obviously it's very important to us to be very professional and do everything in the best manner that we can. So we practice at length before the season even begins, and then at each show site.
So by the time we actually execute an air show, we've seen that show site at least three times, including two full practices. So we do everything we can to build the familiarity with the show site and to polish our routine.
NOVAK: Now, the main purpose, I understand, is recruiting. You get...
BARTLETT: Absolutely.
NOVAK: ... young men and women to become naval aviators. How are you doing on that score?
BARTLETT: I think we're doing great, sir. Like I said, the response from the public, especially this year, it's been overwhelming. And it's just a great way to go out there and showcase a little bit of naval aviation and show the people of America something about the forces they have invested in. So it's a treat to go out there and meet the kids of America, sir.
NOVAK: Commander, you're flying a F-18 Hornet. Are those -- how are they used in combat? Were they used in combat in the recent war in Iraq?
BARTLETT: Oh, yes, sir, this is the front-line strike fighter in the Navy and Marine Corps right now. And these jets are just like the ones that are flying out there at the ship.
These are a little bit older, and we fly them without a lot of the external fuel tanks and accessories that you need for combat. We just prepare them specifically for the flights here. But it's the same basic airframe that's out there on the aircraft carriers right now.
NOVAK: Boss Bartlett, there are 10 Blue Angel aviators in your group. Is there a highly competitive -- is that a competition to get to be a Blue Angel? And what are the basis for selecting who gets to fly with you?
BARTLETT: Well, everybody who's is on the team is a -- I guess you could call them a proven quantity. They have been out doing their specialty in the fleet, either as an aviator or as an airplane mechanic, a whole variety of skill sets.
And they apply. It's a all-volunteer program to come to the team. They apply, they interview. They kind of rush the team, as if it were a, you know, a big squadron where we pick our own replacements.
So they come, we get to know them. We select down to a group of finalists. We invite them down to finalist week. We have another week with them, and then we make the final cut from within. So we select our own replacements. It's a pretty neat process.
NOVAK: Is it pretty competitive? Is there a lot of people want to be...
BARTLETT: Oh, (UNINTELLIGIBLE)...
NOVAK: ... (UNINTELLIGIBLE)?
BARTLETT: Yes, sir, I think you could say it's pretty competitive. It's a great job, it's a wonderful opportunity for all of us. And I think there's a pretty big pool out there of folks who would like to do it. So we're pretty happy about that.
NOVAK: Commander, as a U.S. Air Force counterpart of the Thunderbirds, now, they don't land on carriers, you do. What's the difference between a Air Force pilot and a naval aviator, do you think?
BARTLETT: Well, we hang out with the Thunderbirds every now and then when we get the opportunity. And you'll find that they are a lot like us. Our demonstrations are similar. Our training is similar. We do a lot of the same types of things.
We do have that whole carrier thing, and that's something we like to remind our Air Force counterparts whenever we get the chance. But very similar.
NOVAK: A little extra difficult -- degree of difficulty, huh?
BARTLETT: It adds, I guess, a little pucker factor at the end of the flight.
NOVAK: Commander, in 1950 the Blue Angel, during the Korean War the Blue Angels were called to combat. We were a little short of everything at the beginning of that war. Are the Blue Angels prepared to go to war if called to at any time by the government?
BARTLETT: Well, sir, I think that was a pretty exceptional circumstance during the Korean War. We've got the airplanes and the people and the skills, but I don't really think that in the current environment, that we would need to do that.
And in fact, during our Iraqi Freedom, I thought our role was pretty important, going around the country and telling them about the people who we represent out there on the front lines. So I don't really foresee that happening. But that was pretty amazing they did that in 1950.
NOVAK: And now the big question for commander Russ "Boss" Bartlett.
Commander, there has only been one Blue Angel who has become an astronaut. You graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy in aeronautical engineering. Would you someday like to go into flight? Into space, as an astronaut?
BARTLETT: That would be an amazing opportunity, sir, that would be really neat. But my -- I think my opportunity to do that is probably past. I had an opportunity to go to test pilot school about 10 years ago, and I chose a different route, and here I am today. So I couldn't be happier with the way it turned out.
But we've got some good folks out there filling those slots. Talk about competitive, that's an amazing process.
NOVAK: You can never be too sure. John Glenn went into space at twice your age.
BARTLETT: Yes, yes, he did, sir.
NOVAK: Thank you very, Commander Bartlett.
BARTLETT: My pleasure, sir, thank you.
NOVAK: And thank you for being in "The Novak Zone."
(END VIDEOTAPE)
TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com
