I recently had the experience of a lifetime: Flying with the Blue Angels! It was, though, an honor bestowed on everyone at Microsoft.
FleetWeek San Francisco took place last month, a time when thousands of members of the military are in San Francisco. For many spectators, a highlight of Fleet Week is watching the Navy’s Blue Angels’ F/A-18s do breathtaking aerial acrobatics in formation over the city.
Each year, the Navy selects a few civilians and members of the media to fly in the jets during Fleet Week. There is no formal application process. They invite people who have made significant contributions to the military, veterans and their families, students and education generally, and communities of need. Citing both the work that I did to support and expand the VA Hospital in Palo Alto, CA, when I was the mayor of that city, as well as the programs supporting veterans that I have worked on previously at Hewlett-Packard and now at Microsoft, I was invited to fly. And the experience was incredible.
Microsoft is committed to helping current and former service members find new career paths in the technology industry. The company is a leader in hiring veterans and funding and partnering with non-profit organizations that focus on helping returning vets turn their military experience into new civilian careers. With tech training through the Microsoft Software & Systems Academy (a program that just expanded), job listings at Microsoft and partnerships throughout the tech industry, Microsoft strives to support the military and veterans in every way possible. Microsoft also sponsored Team RWB’s coast to coast ‘Old Glory Relay’ that kicked off on 9/11.
I am proud to be a part of this work. The video provides some of the highlights of the flight. We broke the sound barrier, reached 7.4-Gs, and did all types of climbs, twists and turns. I hope this experience will inspire more students to enter STEM fields and government service. As part of the experience, Microsoft also secured VIP tickets for three families from neighboring East Palo Alto so that some deserving students could see the Blue Angels’ airshow.
For years in local communities of need, Microsoft has supported education, workforce training, entrepreneurship and STEM-related programs through its YouthSpark initiative, and we love getting students excited about science, robotics, aviation, etc. During my flight I asked my Blue Angels’ pilot what it takes to fly for the Blue Angels and you’ll hear his response in the video.
Again, it was an incredible day. Thank you to Microsoft for continuing its focus on our military and veterans. We all need to do our part for those who risk their lives of our country. And of course, a special thanks to the Blue Angels for their service and the ride of a lifetime.
