list of blue angels pilots

Erich Hartmann: Best fighter pilot of all time? To his German countrymen, he was known as the Blond Knight of Germany.. His Soviet enemies referred to him as the Black Devil of the South.. German fighter pilot Erich Alfred Bubi Hartmann flew approximately 1,456 missions during World War II. He is said to have engaged in aerial Buzz about the Blue Angels probe followed Tuesdays unrelated announcement about the Air Forces firing of Capt. "And because of that, we're going to retain a little more experience going into the 2021 season, just to make sure that we have a good pass-down within the team, and we retain that high level of excellence we've come to enjoy.". Mark Lambert, flight surgeon for the Navy flight demonstration squadron Blue Angels, visits with a resident of the nursing home care center at Spokane Veterans Administration Hospital.jpg, US Navy 080907-N-0411D-021 Aviation Ordnanceman 2nd Class Alisha Raper, plane captain for U.S. Navy flight demonstration team aircraft Blue Angel Five, gives final confirmation to her pilot, Lt. Cmdr. 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. He graduated from the United States Naval Academy in 2017. 2023 Stars and Stripes. Governor of Indiana presents a certificate declaring the Blue Angels as Honorary Hoosiers.jpg, US Navy 070908-N-9134V-044 Cmdr. Blue Angels C-130 "Fat Albert" takes off using JATO rockets during performance at Naval Air Station Jacksonville Air Show, 28 October 2006 (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class David Didier), Hill Goodspeed, Historian, National Naval Aviation Museum, June 2021, DANFS - Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships, Permitting Policy and Resource Management, The 9/11 Terrorist Attacks: 20 Years Later, "Ex Scientia Tridens": The U.S. She previously worked with the House Foreign Affairs Committee as an American Political Science Association Congressional Fellow and spent four years as a general assignment reporter for The Record newspaper in New Jersey and the USA Today Network. For more news from the Blue Angels, visitwww.blueangels.navy.mil/. Greg McWherter, commanding officer of the U.S. Navy flight demonstration squadron, the Blue Angels, is interviewed by a TV.jpg, US Navy 100321-A-4584J-010 Gen. David H. Petraeus, commander of U.S. Central Command, center right, and Chief of Army Staff of the Pakistan army Gen. Ashfaq Kayani, pose with members of the U.S. Navy flight demonstration team,.jpg, US Navy 100516-N-8732C-274 Secretary of the Navy Ray Mabus congratulates Cmdr. Governor of Indiana, presents a certificate declaring the Blue Angels as Honorary Hoosiers.jpg, US Navy 070823-N-3271W-002 The Honorable Becky Skillman, Lt. WebA member of the Navys aerial acrobatic team, the Blue Angels, has been suspended pending the findings in an ongoing investigation that kicked off in late January, according Max McCoy, assigned to the U.S. Navy flight demonstration team, the Blue Angels, signs autographs for fans during the Texas Thunder 2005 Air Show.jpg, US Navy 050402-N-1328C-641 F-A-18A Hornet Slot Pilot, Lt. Cmdr. 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. You must take actions and hold offenders accountable. Commander Greg McWherter (Head of the Blue Angels) Lieutenant James Tomaszeski. February 15th, DVIDS Hub works best with JavaScript enabled, Version: 89f6906e9817dc7b192edf8e8d786e2b331150b5_2023-02-27T10:21:17. Anthony Walley, ^2 Pilot of the U.S. Navy flight demonstration team, the Blue Angels, speaks with students in the Omniplex theater at the St. Louis Science Center.jpg, US Navy 071110-N-5328N-910 Blue Angels No. All Rights Reserved. The U.S. Navy flight demonstration team, the Blue Angels, practice performance maneuvers at Spirit of St. Louis Airport, June 10, 2022. There are 25 women on the team now. With these fantastic new additions to the Blue Angels team for 2022, we are all well equipped to head into our next show season.. [This quote needs a citation]. 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. Brian Kesselring, commanding officer and flight leader of the Blue Angels. The Blue Angels, the Navys flight demonstration team, announced six new officers for the 2023 air show season on Monday, including the first woman demonstration pilot to fly the F/A-18E/F Super Hornet. WebThe Blue Angels might be a demonstration team, but they are naval aviators first. With its ranks including some of the most experienced jet pilots in the Navy when the Korean War started, the team disbanded in 1950 to serve as the nucleus of Fighter Squadron 191 (VF-191), nicknamed Satans Kittens, flying combat missions from Princeton (CV-37). -LT Scott Goossens, of San Francisco, California, is an F/A-18 Pilot currently assigned to the Flying Eagles of Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 122. After 16 months as XO, Cochran assumed command of VF-1 as commanding officer (CO). During his final assignment, he served as the deputy commander of the Navy Recruiting Command, second in command of over 7,000 people at over 1,500 locations around the nation and abroad. An estimated 11 million spectators watch the squadron perform every year throughout the country and in Canada. Cochran earned a civil engineering degree from Savannah State College, now known as Savannah State University, Savannah, Georgia, in 1976, where he was a member of the NROTC program. [2], Donnie L. Cochran was born July 6, 1954, on a farm near Pelham, Georgia. 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. That means that they have been, and are, fighter pilots. Prine came to Navy Times after stints at the San Diego Union-Tribune and Pittsburgh Tribune-Review. Higgins flew the teams C-130 Fat Albert transport plane from 2014 to 2016. Captain Cochran flew over 24 missions and earned an Air Medal. For Captain Cochran, it meant another year flying the number 3 jet in 1987 and a normal rotation to the number 4 jet as slot pilot in 1988. In July 1994, he was selected as the first African-American commanding officer and flight leader of the Blue Angels.[3]. Brian Kesselring, the Blue Angels commanding officer and flight leader, said in a statement. As the U.S. Navys flight demonstration squadron, the Blue Angels mission is to showcase the skill and teamwork of the Navy and Marine Corps through flight demonstrations and community outreach. 2 pilot Lt. Cmdr. Navy). The selected 2022 officers include: He graduated from Central Washington University in 2010. Following three years of flying with the Blue Angels, Captain Cochran was assigned to the Bounty Hunters of VF-2 for department head tour as the squadron's maintenance officer. Jul 20, 2022, 11:56 AM. Many highly qualified Navy and Marine Corps officers submit applications to join the Blue Angels each year. Pilots of numbers 27 are Navy Lieutenants or Lieutenant Commanders, or Marine Corps Captains or Majors. This year offered an exemplary group of applicants from around the fleet, making our selection process very difficult, said Cmdr. Over the course of 75 years, the more than 500 million people who have seen the Blue Angels perform at air shows around the world have witnessed the power and grace of some of the Navys all-time classic aircraft. The new team members will officially begin their training for the 2022 show season following the Blue Angels Homecoming Air Show at Naval Air Station Pensacola, Nov. 6. He is assigned to the Red Rippers of Strike Fighter Squadron 11 and is a 2009 graduate of the U.S. Deo Harrypersaud, before taking a ride in a Blue Angel.jpg, US Navy 080203-N-9641C-002 Members of the U.S. Navy flight demonstration squadron, The Blue Angels, are on the field during the third quarter of Super Bowl XLII (cropped).jpg, US Navy 080203-N-9641C-002 Members of the U.S. Navy flight demonstration squadron, The Blue Angels, are on the field during the third quarter of Super Bowl XLII.jpg, US Navy 080808-N-3271W-037 Lt. Cmdr. Official U.S. Navy Photograph. WebFun facts about the Blue Angels: The first air show was performed at Craig Field, Jacksonville, Florida, on June 15, 1946. Introduced in 1962, the Double Farvel maneuver had both the flight leader and slot pilots fly inverted. The Blue Angels appointed its first female jet pilot to join the squadron on Monday. By the time Captain Cochran completed his first deployment he and VFP-63 Detachment 5 had completed an around-the-world deployment during a nine-month cruise. He graduated from the United States Naval Academy in 2017. DIVE! The famed squadron selected two F/A-18E/F demonstration pilots, an events coordinator, a C-130J Super Hercules pilot, an aviation maintenance officer and a flight [citation needed] He was assigned to VFP-63 based at NAS Miramar in San Diego, California. Navy), Lt. Amanda Lee, assigned to Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 106s Rhino Demo Team, maneuvers an F/A-18E Super Hornet at the 2022 Oregon International Air Show in Hillsboro, Ore., May 21, 2022. Your work environment matters and when the values of respect, integrity, honesty, and loyalty break down, so does your performance! [1] He is a 2022 inductee to the Georgia Aviation Hall of Fame. Alfred 'A' Taddeo, an original member of the U.S. Navy flight demonstration team.jpg, US Navy 101023-N-1776T-107 Capt. Blue Angel No.4 serves as the demonstration safety officer, due largely to the perspective he is afforded from the slot position within the formation, as well as his status as a second-year demonstration pilot. Alternating crews of about 45 team members travel to each airshow, according to the Navy. The Blues made "slight changes to the conventional officer rotation," as a result of the lost season, said Cmdr. -LT William Kruger, of Scottsdale, Arizona, is a Supply Officer currently assigned to USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN 69). Watch What Happens! Presented here are historical images of some of these classic propeller-driven aircraft and thunderous jets flown by the Blue Angels. Todd Royles, of Willow Grove, Pennsylvania, Navy Lt. Henry Cedeno, of Juana Diaz, Puerto Rico, Navy Lt. Monica Borza, of Virginia Beach, Virginia, Navy Lt. Kristin Toland, of Sedalia, Missouri, Navy Lt.j.g. Tucker said that the investigation is not linked to the Jan. 22 emergency landing of an unnamed Blue Angels pilot at El Centro. This began a practice that continues to this day of operating a two-seat aircraft for show support and VIP rides. Two new pilots, a new assistantmaintenance officer, a new events coordinator and a new flight surgeon will join the team ahead of 2021. ", "Former Blue Angels pilot tells what inspired him to fly", https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Donnie_Cochran&oldid=1137292325, African-American United States Navy personnel, BLP articles lacking sources from November 2015, Articles with unsourced statements from June 2015, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License 3.0. Jim Tomaszeski, right wing pilot assigned to the U.S. Navy flight demonstration squadron, the Blue Angels.jpg, US Navy 060429-N-4657D-025 Lt. Anthony Walley, the number two pilot for the Navy Flight Demonstration Squadron signs autographs.jpg, US Navy 061103-N-2908O-001 Lt. Cmdr. He was the first African American pilot to fly with the Blue Angels and flew for three seasons (1986-87-88). During his assignment at Air War College, Captain Cochran earned a diploma in International Security and a Masters in Human Resource Management from Troy State University. 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. Thanks for contacting us. from around the world. 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.! Naval Academy in Annapolis, Md. Greg McWherter, commanding officer and flight leader of the U.S. Navy flight demonstration squadron, the Blue Ange.jpg, US Navy 111015-N-IR859-051 Pilots assigned to the U.S. Navy flight demonstration squadron, the Blue Angels, greet each other after the demonstratio.jpg, US Navy 111016-N-IR859-004 Aviation Ordnanceman 1st Class Evan Bradbury, crew chief for the U.S. Navy flight demonstration squadron, the Blue Angel.jpg, US Navy 111016-N-IR859-046 Lt. Cmdr. 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. With its sleek lines and afterburner, the F11F Tiger proved one of the most popular show aircraft flown by the Blue Angels. -LT Christopher Kapuschansky, of Yorktown, Virginia, is an F/A-18 pilot currently assigned to the Gladiators of Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 106. 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. In August 2015 Donnie Cochran was honored by Georgia's Governor Nathan Deal in the renaming of the old Pelham's Detention Center to the Donnie Cochran Community Complex and in December 2016 he was recently inducted into the Georgia Military Veteran Hall of Fame. Brian Kesselring, the commanding officer and flight leader of the team. Svetlana Shkolnikova covers Congress for Stars and Stripes. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Timothy Schumaker). The first performances simulated World War II battles with an SNJ-5 Texan repainted to resemble a Japanese A6M Zero. Flown by the Blue Angels for over three decades, longer than any other demonstration platform, the F/A-18 logged the first ever flight demonstrations in Russia, Romania, and Bulgaria during the 1992 show season. They also represent the US Marine Corps. The "Blue Angels" currently fly a total of 11 jets: 9 single-seat F/A-18E Super Hornet, two 2-seat F/A-18F. Only six are used during demonstration flights (normally single-seat versions) and the rest are used as spares, if one of main aircraft is unserviceable and cannot be repaired before the show begins. Blue Angels Douglas R5D Skymaster (National Naval Aviation Museum). The teams new flight surgeon will be Lt. Philippe Warren of Williamsburg, Va., a flight surgeon for the Fighting Griffins of Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 266. On January 27th, 1973, CDR Harley Hall was shot down over Vietnam. As has been the case throughout the history of the Navy Flight Demonstration Squadron, the demonstration pilots adjusted the show routine to take advantage of the new platforms capabilities. Cochran believes his lessons learned on leadership, team dynamics and individual performance are vital to anyone in a leadership role or a member of a high-performance team: This quote captures the essence why leaders must hold those reporting to them accountable for their performance, attitude, behaviors and actions. (U.S. Navy photoby Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Cody Hendrix). Many highly qualified Navy and Marine Corps officers submit applications to join the Blue Angels each year. The squadron selected three F/A-18 demonstration pilots, a C-130 demonstration pilot, and a supply officer to replace outgoing team members. The squadron has had more than 260 demonstration pilots and 37 flight leaders and commanding officers since its inception in 1946. The Blue Angels resumed flying the Panther when they reformed following that combat deployment. 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. During the Korean War, the Blue Angels were disbanded in 1950 but returned a year later. Captain Cochran made one deployment on board the USS Ranger (CV-61). Lt. Cmdr. U.S. Navy Lt. Amanda Lee was named the first-ever female F-18 fighter pilot to become a Blue Angels team member Monday. Over the years, two former Blue Angels were killed in action. Files are available under licenses specified on their description page. Michael Brochstein/Sipa USA. WebThe "Blue Angels" are the United States Navy Flight Demonstration Squadron. 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. Zoe SiS" Kotnik, the first female pilot to helm that services F-16 Viper demonstration team. -LT Griffin Stangel, of Madison, Wisconsin, is an F/A-18 pilot currently assigned to the Flying Eagles of Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 122. -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 average age of a pilot is around 33 years old. We had an overwhelming number of applicants from all over the globe this year, Capt. Navy Blue Angels flying F-4J Phantom II aircraft, they exhibit their maneuvering skills over Roosevelt Roads, Puerto Rico, 23 March 1970. -Marine Corps Maj. Joshua Soltan, of Spokane, Washington, is a C-130 Hercules pilot currently assigned to Marine Aerial Refueler Transport Squadron 252. He graduated from Central Washington University in 2010. Brian Kesselring, commanding officer and flight leader of the Blue Angels. He serves as a KC-130J Hercules pilot with the Sumos of Marine Aerial Refueler Transport Squadron 152 and is a 2014 graduate of Indiana University. Brian Kesselring, of Fargo, North Dakota, Navy Lt. Katlin Forster, of Scottsdale, Arizona, Navy Cmdr. The Dirty Loop maneuver, introduced in 1969, allowed aircraft landing gear and flaps to be left down as they climbed directly into a loop. Blue Angels Boeing F/A-18 Super Hornet performing the sneak pass during a training flight over Naval Air Station Pensacola. July 18, 2022 11:50 AM. The venerable transport aircraft that made headlines with its role in the Berlin Airlift, the R5D Skymaster was among the aircraft used by the Blue Angels as a logistics aircraft transporting ground-support personnel to show sites. I first served as an Enlisted Sailor. DVIDS/US Navy. Each year, the Blue Angels selects finalists from an applicant pool and interviews them during the week of the Pensacola Beach Air Show. The selected 2023 officers include: F/A-18E/F Demonstration Pilots: -Lt. Cmdr. 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 060428-N-7517M-012 Naval Recruiting District Atlanta Sailors recite the oath of enlistment led by Blue Angels pilot, Lt. Anthony Walley.jpg, US Navy 070831-N-3271W-002 Lt. Cmdr. In August 1947, the Diamond Formation was introduced, soon followed with the Diamond Loop and the Diamond Barrel Roll. The 2021 air show season, the 75th in Blue Angels history, is slated to begin April 10 at Naval Air Station Jacksonville. 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, The Blue Angels flew two versions of the Panther (the F9F-2 and F9F-5), the first jet operated by the team. Sign up to receive a daily email of today's top military news stories from Stars and Stripes and top news outlets Three years later, in April 2016, Lee was designated a naval aviator, the U.S. Navy said. We had an overwhelming number of applicants from all over the globe this year, said Capt. Hundreds of women representing the Navy and Marine Corps have served with the Blue Angels during the last 55 years, according to the 76-year-old unit. There are no other nineteen pilots, just Tyler Joseph and Josh Dun. The name actually comes from a play by Arthur Miller called All my Sons, which others have mentioned in their answers as well. He was studying for theater when he encountered the words twenty one pilots written plainly, not numerically. He decided this as the band name. During this deployment, the Iranians took over the US Embassy and the USS Nimitz was diverted to the Indian Ocean. F8F Bearcat "Beetle Bomb" (National Naval Aviation Museum). With the transition to the F/A-18 Hornet aircraft, some of the newer maneuvers were able to perform intricate maneuvers with more precision and accuracy. On this Wikipedia the language links are at the top of the page across from the article title. WebDonnie L. Cochran is a former United States Navy naval aviator and was the first African-American aviator to be selected to the Flight Demonstration Squadron Blue Angels in They also represent the US Marine Corps. In January 1986, the navy announced that the Blue Angels would be transitioning from the A-4F to the F/A-18 Hornet. Cochran led the team for 16 months until May 1996. in May 1996, Cochran made the decision to step down as flight leader[This quote needs a citation] to minimize the safety risks to the team and spectators. Popularly called Fat Albert, various versions of the C-130 Hercules have provided logistics support to the Blue Angels for more than 50 years. The US Navy Flight Demonstration Squadron selected Lt. Amanda Lee to be the first woman to serve as a F/A-18E/F demonstration pilot. Greg Jones of Cary, N.C., was selected as the new Blue Angels maintenance officer. Selections must be unanimous. Blue Angels. The team makes selections at the conclusion of that week. The Blue Angels serve as ambassadors of U.S. naval aviation. On Nov. 6, 2002, near Baghdad, Iraq, a pair of naval aviators dropped the first ordnance from an F/A-18E on an enemy target.