For the latest information regarding the Blue Angels and the 2021/2022 show seasons, be sure to stay tuned to our social media, website, and mobile app. -Marine Corps Maj. Joshua Soltan, of Spokane, Washington, is a C-130 Hercules pilot currently assigned to Marine Aerial Refueler Transport Squadron 252. What this meant for the 1986 team, they would get an extra year on the team. Anthony Walley, talks with Jimmie White I, father of fallen Arkansas State Trooper Jimmie White II prior to the dedication of the Jimmie White II Memorial Park in Jacksonville, Ar.jpg, US Navy 061103-N-2908O-003 Lt.Cmdr. When the Blue Angels transitioned to the F8F Bearcat, they painted one of them yellow to fill the role of Beetle Bomb. It continued to fly even when the teams transitioned to jet aircraft in 1949. Flight surgeons serve a two-year term, and act as the team recorder during air shows, and help oversee emergency response planning with the various air show planners. The four diamond pilots were frozen in positioned for a year to enhance safety, to accommodate the team's transition to the new F/A-18, and to fly a complete airshow season in the same year. Brian Kesselring, the Blue Angels commanding officer and flight leader, said in a statement. Lt. Amanda Lee, the first female to join the US Navy Blue Angel's as a fighter pilot. There have been female and racial minority staff officers as official Blue Angel members, in support of the Blue Angels recruiting for the Navy and Marine Corps. Popularly called Fat Albert, various versions of the C-130 Hercules have provided logistics support to the Blue Angels for more than 50 years. In January 1986, the navy announced that the Blue Angels would be transitioning from the A-4F to the F/A-18 Hornet. Commander Greg McWherter (Head of the Blue Angels) Lieutenant James Tomaszeski. Jim Cox, of Greg McWherter, the commanding officer of the U.S Navy flight demonstration squadron, the Blue Angels, and Lt. Jim.jpg, US Navy 101023-N-1776T-136 Al Taddeo, the oldest living former pilot of the U.S Navy flight demonstration squadron, the Blue Angels, gives a thumbs.jpg, US Navy 101122-N-0092J-002 Lt. Todd Royles, events coordinator of the U.S. Navy flight demonstration squadron, the Blue Angels, and Lt. Dave Tickle.jpg, US Navy 101122-N-0092J-010 Lt. Todd Royles, the events coordinator before leaving for preseason visits. Prine came to Navy Times after stints at the San Diego Union-Tribune and Pittsburgh Tribune-Review. The squadron selected three F/A-18 demonstration pilots, a C-130 demonstration pilot, and a supply officer to replace outgoing team members. WebMembers of the 2013 U.S. Navy Blue Angels are: Flying Blue Angel No.1, Commander Thomas Frosch, USN (Commanding Officer/Flight Leader) Flying Blue Angel No.2, C-130 Demonstration Pilot: Blue Angels Announce 2022 Officer Selections Airshow Four of the five were announced by the Blue Angels in July, and the newest member,F/A-18 demonstration pilot and Navy Cmdr. He graduated from the University of North Dakota in 2012. Here are eight facts to know about Blue Angels pilots and their work: 1. Navys Blue Angels appoints first female jet pilot - New York Post Maintenance window scheduled to begin at February 14th 2200 est. Supply Officer: July 18, 2022 11:50 AM. Anthony W. Walley signs autographs for fans at Sherman Field.jpg, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Category:Blue_Angels_(pilots_and_team)&oldid=44588716, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License. With its sleek lines and afterburner, the F11F Tiger proved one of the most popular show aircraft flown by the Blue Angels. Blue Angels Vought F7U Cutlass jet fighters (National Naval Aviation Museum). Her relief on Monday raised eyebrows because the Air Force had announced only two weeks earlier that Kotnick would take command of the Vipers. He is an aviation maintenance officer assigned to Pre-Commissioning Unit John F. Kennedy and graduated from Elon University in 2008. Blue Angels -Marine Corps Maj. Joshua Soltan, of Spokane, Washington, is a C-130 Hercules pilot currently assigned to Marine Aerial Refueler Transport Squadron 252. How to Become a Blue Angels Pilot? 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MOUNDS VIEW, Minn. For the first time in the history of the famed U.S. Navy flight demonstration squadron Blue Angels, a woman has been named as a pilot for the team. The demonstration pilots and narrator are made up of Navy and USMC Naval Aviators. The team operated both the short-nose and long-nose versions, and when the F-4 Phantom II replaced the Tiger after the 1968 show season, the F11F Tiger marked the end of an era as the last Grumman-built aircraft flown by the team. Before the Blue Angels perform at an air sh.jpg, US Navy 101122-N-0092J-018 Lt. Dave Tickle, narrator for the U.S. Navy flight demonstration squadron, the Blue Angels, and Lt. Todd Royles, events.jpg, US Navy 101122-N-0092J-025 Before the Blue Angels perform at an air show site, the team's narrator and events coordinator fly to each proposed show.jpg, US Navy 101203-N-0092J-196 Sailors and Marines assigned to the U.S. Navy flight demonstration squadron, the Blue Angels, carry bags of toys to Nava.jpg, US Navy 110215-N-IR859-005 Vice Adm. Allen G. Myers, commander of U.S. Brian Vaught of Englewood, Colo., is the teams new events coordinator. In July 1994, he was selected as the first African-American commanding officer and flight leader of the Blue Angels.[3]. Brian Kesselring, the commanding officer and flight leader of the team. The mission of the Blue Angels is to showcase the teamwork and professionalism of the United States Navy and Marine Corps through flight demonstrations and community outreach while inspiring a culture of excellence and service to country. July 18 (Reuters) - The U.S. Navys famed Blue Angels aerial demonstration team on Monday named the first female pilot in the squadrons history, the organization said. She's home:Welcome home: New Fat Albert C-130 J Super Hercules arrives in Pensacola, "Not being able to fly across the country and execute our mission definitely affects some of ourbest practices, if you will, and some of the training when it comes to the refinement from the demos," Kesselring said Friday. 2023 Stars and Stripes. The mission of the Blue Angels is to showcase the teamwork and professionalism of the United States Navy and Marine Corps through flight demonstrations and community outreach while inspiring a culture of excellence and service to country. -LT Christopher Kapuschansky, of Yorktown, Virginia, is an F/A-18 pilot currently assigned to the Gladiators of Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 106. Blue Angels. Navy Blue Angels flying F-4J Phantom II aircraft, they exhibit their maneuvering skills over Roosevelt Roads, Puerto Rico, 23 March 1970. Photo By Petty Officer 2nd Class Cody Hendrix | Lee grew up in Mounds View, Minnesota and later attended the University of Minnesota at which point she decided to enlist in the Navy. Pilots of numbers 27 are Navy Lieutenants or Lieutenant Commanders, or Marine Corps Captains or Majors. Navy). The US Navy Flight Demonstration Squadron, the Blue Angels, selected six new officers to join the team for the for the 2023 air show season. The Blue Angels name was introduced a month later. Navy Lt. Michelle Tucker, spokeswoman for the Chief of Naval Air Training, told Navy Times that the probe involves unspecified allegations of misconduct that came to light last month. Lt. Cmdr. see less Kevin J. Davis' flag-draped casket is carried by Naval Air Station Pensacola's Honor Guard as his fellow Blue Angels salute.jpg, US Navy 070509-N-0696M-040 Chief of Naval Operations (CNO) Adm. Mike Mullen visits Sailors assigned to the Blue Angels at Naval Air Station Pensacola, Fla.jpg, US Navy 070704-N-2888Q-006 Carl Mack, executive director of the National Society of Black Engineers, receives a safety briefing from Staff Sgt. -LT Griffin Stangel, of Madison, Wisconsin, is an F/A-18 pilot currently assigned to the Flying Eagles of Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 122. The venerable aircraft routinely opens air shows and for many years executed jet-assisted takeoffs (JATOs) to the delight of spectators. Tucker declined to say whether the member of the U.S. Navy Flight Demonstration Squadron the units official name is a tactical aviator or part of the support and maintenance crew but the removed person does not appear to be a numbered pilot. Governor of Indiana presents a certificate declaring the Blue Angels as Honorary Hoosiers.jpg, US Navy 070908-N-9134V-044 Cmdr. They serve three to four years in the squadron. | View Image Page, PENSACOLA, Florida (NNS) The U.S. Navy Flight Demonstration Squadron, The Blue Angels, announced officers selected for the 2022 air show season July 10. Official Navy photo of Commander Donnie Cochran, USN, Learn how and when to remove this template message, "This is why you don't mess with the U.S.! He made his first deployment flying RF-8G on board the USSNimitz(CVN-68) to the Mediterranean Sea and Indian Ocean. During this deployment, the Iranians took over the US Embassy and the USS Nimitz was diverted to the Indian Ocean. To make room for the Special Forces Helicopters, VFP-63 Detachment 5 was flown to the USSCoral Sea(CV-43) for the remainder of the deployment. On this Wikipedia the language links are at the top of the page across from the article title. Commanders have halted this unnamed persons activities with the Blue Angels while the team continues to conduct winter training at Naval Air Facility El Centro for the upcoming show season, Tucker said. Three years later, in April 2016, Lee was designated a naval aviator, the U.S. Navy said. Many highly qualified Navy and Marine Corps officers submit applications to join the Blue Angels each year. Through the 2006 season there have been 262 pilots in the squadron's history, giving the job a 10% fatality rate. Three months after establishment in April 1946, the flight exhibition team's first performance took place on June 15. DVIDS/US Navy. until 0400 est. James Haley, of Canadian, Texas. Lt. Amanda Lee of Mounds View, Minn., will be the first woman F/A-18E/F demonstration pilot for the squadron. WebDuring its history, 26 Blue Angels pilots have been killed in air show or training accidents. You must take actions and hold offenders accountable. Blue Angels: Performance Maneuvers - Navy For this reason, Cochran was reassigned to Fighter Squadron 111 (VF-111) Sundowners for 29 days as XO before assuming command of the squadron as CO. All Rights Reserved. DVIDS - News - Blue Angels Announce 2022 Officers This month, Marine Katie Higgins piloted for the Blue Angels Aviation Team for the last time. Higgins was the first (and so far, only) female pilot for the second oldest aerobatic team in the world. I think, no matter what your gender is, just to be selected to be on this team is an honor, she told Fox 13 News. After leaving the Blue Angels, Cochran served as the commanding officer of the Naval Reserve Officer Training Corps Unit (NROTC), at Florida A & M University with cross-town enrollment with Florida State University from August 1996 until July 1999. All structured data from the file namespace is available under the. In September 1985, he was the first African-American pilot selected to fly with the United States Navy Flight Demonstration Squadron, The Blue Angels. His first assignment after training in the F-14 was with the Blacklions of Fighter Squadron 213 (VF-213), where he made two deployments on board the USS Enterprise (CVN-65) to the Western Pacific and Indian Ocean. A fatal crash at Naval Air Station Whiting Field in 1950 ended the use of Beetle Bomb as part of flight demonstrations. Category:Blue Angel Pilots | Blue Angels Wiki | Fandom With these fantastic new additions to the Blue Angels team for 2022, we are all well equipped to head into our next show season. Blue Angels Douglas R5D Skymaster (National Naval Aviation Museum). The Blues made "slight changes to the conventional officer rotation," as a result of the lost season, said Cmdr. Blue Angels 2023 roster includes first woman Super She first worked as an aviation electronics technician and was selected to participate in the Seaman-to-Admiral Commissioning Program. The U.S. Navy Flight Demonstration Squadron, The Blue Angels, announced officers The static display contains an A4 jet painted in the Blue Angel's traditional colors of blue and gold and a dedication plaque with the inscription: IN HONOR OF COMMANDER DONNIE COCHRAN U.S. NAVY 1976 SAVANNAH STATE COLLEGE/NROTC GRADUATE THE FIRST BLACK NAVAL AVIATOR TO FLY WITH THE BLUE ANGELS FLIGHT DEMONSTRATION TEAM THIS AIRCRAFT IS ON LOAN FROM THE NATIONAL MUSEUM OF NAVAL AVIATION AT PENSACOLA, FLORIDA. Alfred 'A' Taddeo, an original member of the U.S. Navy flight demonstration team.jpg, US Navy 101023-N-1776T-107 Capt. Simonsen, the ^6 pilot and opposing solo for the U.S. Navy flight demonstration squadron, the Blue Angels, give.jpg, US Navy 110706-N-DI587-095 Blue Angels plane captains strap William Gordon, executive director for Orange County public schools, into an F-A 18 Hor.jpg, US Navy 110716-N-IR859-007 Members of the U.S. Navy Fight Demonstration Squadron, the Blue Angels.jpg, US Navy 110716-N-IR859-039 Members of the U.S. Navy Flight Demonstration Squadron, the Blue Angels.jpg, US Navy 110716-N-IR859-041 Members of the U.S. Navy Flight Demonstration Squadron, the Blue Angels.jpg, US Navy 110716-N-NT881-144 Members of the U.S. Navy flight demonstration team, the Blue Angels, greets the public and signs autographs after a Blue.jpg, US Navy 110831-N-DI587-003 A Sailor applies a Navy Energy Security logo to a Blue Angels F-A-18.jpg, US Navy 110901-N-JM744-077 Secretary of the Navy Ray Mabus announces conducting demonstration flights with a 50-50 mix of biofuel and JP-5 aviation.jpg, US Navy 110901-N-ZZ999-002 Secretary of the Navy (SECNAV) Ray Mabus speaks during a press conference at Naval Air Station Patuxent River about the.jpg, US Navy 110910-N-IR859-010 Aviation Ordnanceman 1st Class Nathaniel Stuart, crew chief for the U.S. Navy flight demonstration squadron, the Blue An.jpg, US Navy 110910-N-IR859-012 Capt. WebFun facts about the Blue Angels: The first air show was performed at Craig Field, Jacksonville, Florida, on June 15, 1946. Make sure you meet the minimum Blue Angels requirements In order to be a Blue Angels applicant, you must be We look forward to training our fantastic new team members, passing on the torch and watching the incredible things this team will accomplish in 2023.. Category : Blue Angels (pilots and team) - Wikimedia He was the first African American pilot to fly with the Blue Angels and flew for three seasons (1986-87-88). The "Blue Angels" currently fly a total of 11 jets: 9 single There are 25 women on the team now. [This quote needs a citation]. Captain Cochran made one deployment on board the USS Ranger (CV-61). His next assignment was as an instructor pilot at the F-14 Replacement Air Group Squadron (RAG) VF-124. The squadron selected three F/A-18 demonstration pilots, a C-130 demonstration pilot, and a supply officer to replace outgoing team members. 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Jake Newby can be reached at jnewby@pnj.com or 850-435-8538. pilots and officers originally announced for the 2020 and 2021 seasons in July 2019, Welcome home: New Fat Albert C-130 J Super Hercules arrives in Pensacola, Four of the five were announced by the Blue Angels in July, Your California Privacy Rights / Privacy Policy.