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. The Blues transitioned to the two-seat McDonnell Douglas F-4J Phantom II in 1969, nearly always keeping the back seat empty for flight demonstrations. [47] The Blue Angels began relocating to their current home at Naval Air Station (NAS) Pensacola, Florida that winter,[48] and it was here they progressed to the swept-wing Grumman F9F-8 Cougar. 4 or slot pilot, was absent from the formation. Lee, who goes by the call sign "Stalin," is among six . 4 slot pilot often flies the No. U.S. Navy Lt. Amanda Lee has been selected as the . Theodore J. Steelman, assigned to the U.S. Navy flight demonstration team, the Blue Angels, awaits the cue to exit his F-A-18A Hornet.jpg, US Navy 050507-N-0295M-052 The pilots assigned to the U.S. Navy Blue Angels flight demonstration team, line up at parade rest prior to the start of their demonstration.jpg, US Navy 050916-N-0295M-186 A crew chief assigned to the U.S. Navy flight demonstration team, the Blue Angels, performs a post engine run-up inspection on the top surfaces of one of the Blue Angel's F-A-18A Hornets.jpg, US Navy 060514-N-8374E-002 Aviation Maintenance Administrationman 2nd Class Desiree Phillips, assigned to Maintenance Control on the Blue Angels enlisted team, autographs memorabilia for enthusiastic young fans.jpg, US Navy 060514-N-8374E-003 Members of the Blue Angels enlisted team autograph memorabilia for enthusiastic young fans.jpg, US Navy 060522-N-5390M-001 Members of the U.S. Navy's flight demonstration team, the Blue Angels, attend a dedication ceremony at Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium in Annapolis.jpg, US Navy 060522-N-5390M-002 Members of the U.S. Navy's flight demonstration team, the Blue Angels, attend a dedication ceremony at Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium in Annapolis.jpg, US Navy 060522-N-5390M-003 Members of the U.S. Navy's flight demonstration team, the Blue Angels, attend a dedication ceremony at Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium in Annapolis.jpg, US Navy 060813-F-7049H-045 Crew chiefs with the United States Naval Flight Demonstration Squadron stand at attention as the Blue Angels prepare to disembark on their aerial performance.jpg, US Navy 060909-N-2218T-132 Blue Angel pilot Lt. Cdr. [71] On 26 May, the Blue Angels announced they would not be flying their traditional fly-over of the Naval Academy Graduation Ceremony and that they were canceling their 2829 May 2011 performances at the Millville Wings and Wheels Airshow in Millville, New Jersey. The Blue Angels appointed its first female jet pilot to join the squadron on Monday. 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. Kuss' body was recovered just yards away from the crash site. The separation between the formation of aircraft and their maneuver altitude is gradually reduced over the course of about two months in January and February. [75][76] McWherter flew an F/A-18 test flight on 17 August and stated there were no noticeable differences in performance from inside the cockpit. Solo pilot Kevin Coleman push the limits of his bright yellow Extra 300 SHP stunt plane over Pensacola Beach. Pilots Ken Rieder and Adam Baker with Redline Aerobatic Team take to the skies in. The Solos join the Diamond Formation near the end of the show for a number of maneuvers in the Delta Formation. celebrating 76 years of excellence. Robert Janca Left Wing 1959-1961 Capt. Pat Moneymaker 23 January 1990: their Blue Angel Hornets suffered a mid-air collision during a practice at El Centro. Lt. Cmdr. [35], In 1949, the team acquired a Douglas R4D Skytrain for logistics to and from show sites. The team could fly the Tiger higher and in closer formations than before. The following 160 files are in this category, out of 160 total. Lt. Cdr. 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 070425-N-7559C-003 Lt. Cmdr. Subscribe to the Blue Angel Phantoms YouTube channel for the latest features. Because it takes six to eight years to log the 1,250 hours of flying time needed to try out for the Blue Angels, there has yet to be a female Blue Angel pilot. Frank Weisser to finish out the 2016 and 2017 seasons. It was their first supersonic aircraft. In 1992, the Blue Angels deployed for a month-long European tour, their first in 19 years, conducting shows in Sweden, Finland, Russia (first foreign flight demonstration team to perform there), Romania, Bulgaria, Italy, the United Kingdom, and Spain. Who are the current Blue Angels pilots? Members of the Blue Angels team also visit more than 50,000 people in schools, hospitals, and community functions at air show cities. In January 1948, Lt. Cmdr. The team with an additional fifth pilot, relocated to Naval Air Station (NAS) Corpus Christi, Texas. [33] On 13 July, the team acquired, and began flying the straight-wing Grumman F9F-2B Panther between demonstration shows. The Navy said one of the individuals was a man and the other a woman, one a Marine and the other from the Navy, and that Rear Admiral Mark Guadagnini, chief of Naval air training, was reviewing the situation. Voris was again tasked with assembling the team (he was the first of only two commanding officers to lead them twice). Although there are only 6 Blue Angels aircraft at any one time, in the History of the Blue Angels, there has been a total of 272 pilots who have worn the coveted blue flight suit, first adopted in 1954. The U.S. Navy Flight Demonstration Squadron, The Blue Angels, announced officers selected for the 2022 air show season July 10, just hours before they performed for their hometown crowd at the 2021 Pensacola Beach Air Show. [64] At the next performance at Lackland Air Force Base following the announcement the No. Their performance season runs from March to November. [citation needed], The Fat Albert performed its final JATO demonstration at the 2009 Pensacola Homecoming show, expending their eight remaining JATO bottles. "Christmas or Bust!" What do a Blue Angels pilot, a bounty hunter and an ex-NFL football player have in common? On 10 December 1973, the Navy Flight Exhibition Team was reorganized and commissioned the United States Navy Flight Demonstration Squadron. 4 USMC Maj. Clint Harris and the administrative officer, Navy Lt. Gretchen Doane. They're willing to risk anything to make that happeneven dashing t. [27], The Blue Angels demonstration teams began wearing leather jackets and special colored flight suits with the Blue Angels insignia, in 1952. Moseley ejected safely and Moneymaker was able to land his airplane, which then required a complete right wing replacement. The Navy . Team members vote in secret on the next year's officers. The first Blue Angels pilots were Naval Advanced Training Command flight instructors with wartime experience flying the F6F Hellcat, so it was a natural fit for the exhibition to team to fly. Lloyd Barnard, veterans of the War in the Pacific), and they spent countless hours developing the show. Free shipping for many products! [53][54] The squadron's mission was redefined by Less to further improve the recruiting effort. Most of the show alternates between maneuvers performed by the Diamond Formation and those performed by the Solos. During their Commander Greg McWherter (Head of the Blue Angels) Lieutenant James Tomaszeski Lieutenant Robert Kurrle Jr Major Chris Collins USMC Lieutenant Commander Frank Weisser Lieutenant Ben Walborn Lieutenant Christian Simonse Lieutenant Amy Tomlinson [citation needed]. [65] On 6 November 2008, both officers were found guilty at an admiral's mast on unspecified charges but the resulting punishment was not disclosed. Naval Air Forces, is strapped into an F-A-18 Hornet, assigned to the U.S. Na.jpg, US Navy 110215-N-IR859-015 Vice Adm. Allen G. Myers, commander of U.S. Selections must be unanimous. In a strange twist, Captain Kuss' fatal crash happened hours after the Blue Angels' fellow pilots in the United States Air Force Thunderbirds suffered a crash of their own, following the United States Air Force Academy graduation ceremony earlier that day. In 1958, the first Six-Plane Delta Maneuvers were added that season. [20]. This aircraft was later painted yellow and dubbed the "Beetle Bomb". They perform aerial displays at public exhibitions throughout most of the year. The Blue Angels continued flying with the Tiger until 1968. In 1957, the Blue Angels transitioned from the F9F-8 Cougar to the supersonic Grumman F11F-1 Tiger. In July 2014, Marine Corps C-130 pilot Capt. The USAF Thunderbird Association promotes a shared purpose to create a welcoming community for all past, current and future Thunderbirds and help preserve our history for generations to come. July 18, 2022 11:50 AM. John J. Magda 1950, Killed in Action March 1951, Russell J. Bartlett Sept 2002 to Sept 2004. The team flies a "practice" airshow at the show site on Friday. THE BLUE ANGELS TEAM A total of 16 officers voluntarily serve with the Blue Angels. Pilots serve two to three years,[3] and position assignments are made according to team needs, pilot experience levels, and career considerations for members. Welcome to the team. U.S. Navy Blue Angels pilot number-7, Lieutenant Griffin. "I saw the Blue Angels fly when I was a young . Craig Olson.jpg, US Navy 080907-N-0411D-023 Blue Angel Plane Captains run from the runway as part of the U.S. Navy flight demonstration team The Blue Angels performance at The Great State of Maine Air Show.jpg, US Navy 090502-N-9712C-001 Lt. Manuel Sanchez, a maintenance officer assigned to the Blue Angels, administers the oath of enlistment to delayed entry program recruits from the New Orleans area.jpg, US Navy 090530-N-1928O-163 Vice Adm. Dirk J. Debbink, Chief of the Navy Reserve, receives a gift of appreciation from Marine Corps Maj. Drew Hess, and crewmembers of the Blue Angels C-130 Hercules.jpg, US Navy 090829-N-1928O-113 A Sailor assigned to the U.S. Navy flight demonstration squadron, the Blue Angels, prepares for take-off during the Defenders of Freedom Air Show at Offutt Air Force Base as part of Omaha Navy Week.jpg, US Navy 090916-N-6220J-003 Cmdr. The United States Navy's Blue Angels flight demonstration squadron has always been a favorite centerpiece of Seattle's annual Seafair celebration. In 1953, they began wearing gold colored flight suits for the first show of the season and or to commemorate milestones for the flight demonstration squadron. The Blue Angels Demonstration Team currently flies the F/A-18 Hornet strike fighter, an aircraft with both fighter and attack capabilities. The Blue Angels Foundation (BAF) is the charitable arm of the Blue Angels Association (BAA). Lt. Cmdr Stu Powrie (Lead Solo) 22 February 1982: killed when his Skyhawk struck the ground during winter training at Naval Air Facility El Centro, California, just after a dirty loop. There have been more than 260 past Blue Angels pilots and over 37 Flight Leaders (also known as the Boss or Commanding Officer). The high show requires at least an 8,000-foot (2,400m) ceiling and visibility of at least 3 nautical miles (6km) from the show's center point. [79][80] In October 2013, Secretary of Defense Chuck Hagel, stating that "community and public outreach is a crucial Departmental activity", announced that the Blue Angels (along with the U.S. Air Force's Thunderbirds) would resume appearing at air shows starting in 2014, although the number of flyovers will continue to be severely reduced.[81]. Roy M. "Butch" Voris, ensured that the first pilots were . 1 Blue Angels pilot, was reprimanded last week for allowing, and even contributing to, a toxic work environment on the team from 2011-12. In 1954, the first Marine Corps pilot, Captain Chuck Hiett, joined the Navy flight demonstration team. Marine Corps Maj. Charles Moseley and Cmdr. Harley Hall 4 June 1971: safely ejected after his F-4J Phantom jet caught fire during practice over. 2 pilot Lt. Cmdr. 1 . Section High-Alpha Pass: (tail sitting), the show's slowest maneuver, Solos Pass to Rejoin, Diamond flies a loop, Loop Break Cross Delta Break (After the break the aircraft separate in six different directions, perform half. Blue Angels Association Based out of Pensacola, Florida Once a Blue Angel, Always a Blue Angel! Lt. Larry Watters 14 February 1972: killed when his F-4J Phantom II struck the ground, upright, while practicing inverted flight, during winter training at NAF El Centro. There have been female and minority staff officers as Blue Angel members,[17] including minority Blue Angel pilot Lt. Andre Webb on the 2018 team. The current shades of blue and yellow were adopted when the first demonstration aircraft were transitioned from the Grumman F6F-5 Hellcat to the Grumman F8F-1 Bearcat in August 1946; the aircraft wore an all-yellow scheme with blue markings during the 1949 show season. The Blue Angels is a flight demonstration squadron of the United States Navy. The Blue Angels typically perform aerial displays in at least 60 shows annually at 30 locations throughout the United States and two shows at one location in Canada. He graduated from the United States Naval Academy in 2002 with a Bachelor of Science in aerospace engineering. Don Bentley 8 March 1973: all three survived a multi-aircraft mid-air collision during practice over Superstition Mountain, near El Centro, California. Cmdr. [25], The first Blue Angels demonstration aircraft wore navy blue (nearly black) with gold lettering. "Almost can't describe it," Blue Angels pilot Cdr. The Blue Angels have performed at military and civilian air shows across the country since 1946. Dan Martin signs an F-14 Tomcat toy, for a child.jpg, US Navy 031017-N-6213R-030 Ground crews stand by as the United States Navy's precision flight demonstration team Blue Angels perform.jpg, US Navy 040320-N-6060O-361 During Naval Air Station Lemoore's annual air show, pilots assigned to the U.S. Navy's flight demonstration team, the Blue Angels, give a final salute ending their show.jpg, US Navy 040320-N-6060O-378 Lt. Craig Olson, a pilot assigned to the U.S. Navy flight demonstration team, the Blue Angels, signs autographs for excited fans after the annual air show on board Naval Air Station Lemoore, Calif.jpg, US Navy 040320-N-6060O-379 Lt. Craig Olson, a pilot assigned to the U.S. Navy flight demonstration team, the Blue Angels, signs autographs for excited fans after the annual air show aboard Naval Air Station Lemoore, Calif.jpg, US Navy 040327-N-7559C-001 The Commanding Officer for the U.S. Navy's flight demonstration team Blue Angels, CDR Russ Boss Bartlett, of Nantucket, Mass., talks to his crew chief.jpg, US Navy 040514-N-0295M-045 Draftsman 2nd Class Jeffrey Ballge photographs one of the Blue Angel's six F-A-18A Hornets.jpg, US Navy 040606-N-7559C-001 Aviation Structural Mechanic 1st Class Mario Delacruz, from El Paso, Texas, wipes brake dust from the tire rim of a Blue Angels F-A-18A Hornet.jpg, US Navy 041024-N-8253M-010 Pilots assigned to the U.S. Navy flight demonstration team, the Blue Angels, march down the ramp following their performance at the 2004 N'Awlins Air Show.jpg, US Navy 041106-N-4779D-045 A crew chief assigned to the U.S. Navy flight demonstration team, the Blue Angels, salutes the pilot of his F-A-18A Hornet as he prepare for takeoff.jpg, US Navy 041107-N-8683B-110 Lt. 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