August 6, 2009 7:30 AM
The Fiesta Parade on Friday will start with something that's never happened in 85 years -- a flyover of a U.S. Navy plane, starting at Stearns Wharf and heading straight up State Street.
The C-130 fly-over, set to take place just prior to El Desfile Histórico, which starts at noon, was made possible by the Santa Barbara Navy League, according to Dennis Rickard, Old Spanish Days vice president and parade chairman.
It was Mr. Rickard's father, former Mayor Jack Rickard, who reached out to the Navy in the early 1950s to develop a relationship between the Navy and Fiesta, and the flyover coincides with the 60th anniversary of the elder Mr. Rickard's year as El Presidente of Fiesta.
Flying at a mere 1,000 feet, the plane is operated by Fleet Logistics Support Squadron 55 or VR-55 "World Famous Minutemen" stationed at Point Mugu, organizers said.
The duties of VR-55 include round-the-clock availability -- and on a moment's notice to be able to provide global logistics support for the Navy around the globe including regions such as the Mediterranean, Europe, Southwest Asia, the Middle East and Indian Ocean.
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