Snowbirds remind that it’s all about team

At first glance, it looks like a huge patch of red and white flowers stitched with loving care by a cosmic grandma on the background of an azure sky. Suddenly, the patch disintegrates in nine different directions, each flower leaving a white trail to mark its direction.

It is the Canadian Snowbird Air Demonstration team. “It,” because even though there are nine separate CF-18 Hornets in the squadron, they really function as one unit. Even as they perform in different formations, varying from the full set, to five or just two, they are one, each performing in ballet precision to match their partner or partners.

Last weekend, while burning my already tanned arms and nose at the Sonoma County Wings over Wine Country Air Show at the Sonoma County Airport, the Snowbirds reminded me once again how important teamwork is in flying, sports and life.

Much of what happened at the air show demonstrated the skills of the individual pilots and the capabilities of their machines.

The strength of the individual was impressively displayed by the sound-shattering Air Force F-16 Falcon, the ultimate muscle machine. It roared across the skies in every direction, from straight vertical to rolling passes in front of awe-struck spectators. Although the plane was kept just below the sound barrier out of respect for spectators’ sanity and ear drums, its distinctive roar was enough to awaken couch potatoes in three counties. It is a one-machine fighting force and awesome to watch.

I truly enjoyed the vintage World War II War Bird flyby. It was like watching history come alive. I have a special affinity for the P-51 Mustangs, having once flown upside down over the Golden Gate Bridge in a Mustang piloted by former 49er tight end Russ Francis - but that’s another story.

Saturday was an afternoon of wonder, but I think for most, the show stopper was the Snowbirds. The stunt pilots were enthralling, the war birds were nostalgic, the F-16 awesome. The best single word description I can come up with for the Snowbirds is beautiful.

It is hard to comprehend how fighter jets designed for death and destruction, moving at near the speed of sound, can be described as “beautiful,” but the word is very much accurate. As you watch the intricate patterns form, it is easy to forget that these machines are flying within a few feet of each other’s wingtips, and speeding toward a head-on smash only to flip sideways at the very last eye blink.

The comparison with sport is unmistakable. It is called team. Taken individually, one or two players can occasionally lead a team to a successful season, but championships are won by players who work together, perform together and trust one another. Brute force is great, precision is better. It can be down right beautiful.

Giving credit

Being a good teammate can extend beyond the playing field.

Near the end of last week’s football game between Petaluma and Sonoma Valley, a Sonoma kick returner fumbled a Trojan kickoff backward into the end zone, tried to run it out and was tackled for a safety.

In the confusion I couldn’t tell who should be credited with the two points and the glory. I asked a coach, who went to a great deal of trouble to ask several players. The answer came back that it was Jimmy Flynn, and he was given credit in the initial game story that appeared Saturday morning on Petaluma 360.

After film review, it was determined that it was actually Eric Coates who made the tackle. Asked why he didn’t speak up, Coates told the coach that his teammates were so excited to think that Flynn had made the play that he didn’t want to take the recognition away from him.

Incidentally, Piner High school usually plays its Saturday home games at 1:30 p.m., but this week’s game against Petaluma will kick off at 2 p.m. Piner agreed to push the game back half an hour to accommodate Petaluma seniors who will be taking SAT tests in the morning.

Let’s hope there isn’t too much northbound traffic on 101.

(Contact John Jackson at johnie.jackson@arguscourier.com)