A tragic tale in advertising.

I've seen only 2 aerial aerobatics teams in my lifetime, and that would be the USAF Thunderbirds when I was 5, and the RAF Red Arrows every now and then, since they come down to Malaysia every time the Langkawi International Maritime and Air Show (LIMA) takes place.

I have vague memories about the former since, well, I was 5. I do remember watching Thunderbirds on television back in Malaysia afterwards and thinking that this wasn't actually the same thing as the "plane show" I saw earlier in my lifetime.

The thing is, I've never actually heard of these planes crashing until now. When the news of one pilot perishing during a show, injuring 8 others on the ground, that's when reality suddenly comes back to you and gives you a harsh lesson on how such maneuvers, even though beautiful and precise, are still dangerous.

It is argued that the USN's Blue Angels are a tool used to encourage people to enlist in the Navy. So technically, all this stunt work they do in the air qualifies similarly to a commercial you see during the NFL Superbowl, which would have been more practical and less prone to accidents.

These pilots risk their lives to promote an occupation which encourages others to risk their lives too.

For a worthy cause, of course.

No one's arguing that the military is nothing less than a superb occupation. Combining occupational hazards with bringing world peace, perhaps the Miss Universe candidates can sign up.

My condolences go out to the family of Lt. Cmdr. Kevin J. Davis.