Todd Meierhoffer (backseat), waves to his family as

Todd Meierhoffer (backseat), waves to his family as U.S. Navy Lt. Andre Webb, a pilot with the Navy Flight Demonstration Team, the “Blue Angels”, taxis a F/A-18 Hornet to the runway before takeoff at Rosecrans Air National Guard Base, St. Joseph, Mo., August 22, 2018. Meierhoffer was among a handful of “key influencers” selected for the rare opportunity prior to the 2018 Sound of Speed Air Show scheduled August 25 and 26. The Blue Angels strive to showcase the pride and professionalism of the United States Navy and Marine Corps by inspiring a culture of excellence and service to country through flight demonstrations and community outreach. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Staff Sgt. Patrick Evenson)