Marine Corps Maj. Charles Moseley and Cmdr. [2] The "Blues" still employ many of the same practices and techniques used in the inaugural 1946 season. "First Blue: The story of World War II Ace Butch Voris and the Creation of the Blue Angels" by Robert K. Wilcox, Thomas Dunne Books/St.Martins Press, 2004, This page was last edited on 14 February 2023, at 18:38. Capt. Below are some of the more notable members of the Blue Angels squadron: A total of 26 Blue Angels pilots and one crew member have died in Blue Angels history. Commander Raleigh "Dusty" Rhodes[34] during an air show at Beaumont, Texas and added a sixth pilot. Commander John Magda 8 March 1951: Blue Angels (1949, 1950; Commander/Flight Leader 1950): Magda was killed after his F9F-2B Panther was hit by anti aircraft fire while leading a low-level strike mission against North Korean and Chinese communist positions at, Commander Herbert P. Hunter 19 July 1967: Blue Angels (19571959; Lead Solo pilot): Hunter was hit by antiaircraft fire in North Vietnam and crashed in his, Captain Clarence O. Tolbert 6 November 1972: Blue Angels (1968): Tolbert was flying a, Captain Harley H. Hall 27 January 1973: Blue Angels (19701971; Commander/Team Leader 1971): Hall and his co-pilot were shot down by antiaircraft fire in South Vietnam flying their F-4J Phantom II on the last day of the Vietnam War, and they both were officially listed as. 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 On 25 October 1951, the Blues were ordered to re-activate as a flight demonstration team, and reported to NAS Corpus Christi, Texas. Once they were in the former Soviet Union, the Blue Angels pilots were given the opportunity to fly with one of the Russian frontline fighters, the Su-27 Flanker of the Russian Knights or the. The Blue Angels' first female pilot September 1, 2016 By Jill W. Tallman U.S. Marine Corps Capt. Only in the past decade has the Navy allowed women to fly fighter jets. [23][24] The team was first introduced as the Blue Angels during an air show in July 1946. . The Blue Angels is a flight demonstration squadron of the United States Navy. The Blue Angels appointed its first female jet pilot to join the squadron on Monday. The team's first demonstration with Grumman F6F-5 Hellcat aircraft took place before Navy officials on 10 May 1946 and was met with enthusiastic approval. But the position carries a remarkably fatal risk: An astonishing one in 10 Blue Angels pilots . Blue Angels pilot Brandon Cordill by mtsunews 13 June 2014 Brandon Cordill shares with the audience how a series of events eventually landed him with a role as a pilot with the U.S. Navy Blue Angels flight demonstration team, which will fly in the Great Tennessee Air Show June 14-15 in Smyrna, Tennessee. [83], In July 2015, Cmdr Bob Flynn became the Blue Angels' first executive officer. The No. Greg McWherter, the commanding officer of the U.S Navy flight demonstration squadron, the Blue Angels, and Lt. Jim Tomaszeski sign autographs after performing at the 2010 NAS Jax Air Show. [73][74], Between 2 and 4 September 2011 on Labor Day weekend, the Blue Angels flew for the first time with a fifty-fifty blend of conventional JP-5 jet fuel and a camelina-based biofuel at Naval Air Station Patuxent River, Maryland. Lt. Cmdr. [25], The first Blue Angels demonstration aircraft wore navy blue (nearly black) with gold lettering. They're willing to risk anything to make that happeneven dashing t. 2 pilot Lt. Cmdr. In July 1964, the Blue Angels participated in the Aeronaves de Mexico Anniversary Air Show over Mexico City, Mexico, before an estimated crowd of 1.5million people. You bring pride, hope and a promise for tomorrow's Navy and Marine Corps in the smiles and handshakes of today's youth. Plane cost: $21 million each. Lt. Ted Steelman 1 December 2004: ejected from his F/A-18 approximately one mile off Perdido Key after his aircraft struck the water, suffering catastrophic engine and structural damage. The team, composed of six Navy and one Marine Corps demonstration pilot, fly Boeing F/A-18 Super Hornets. Don Bentley 8 March 1973: all three survived a multi-aircraft mid-air collision during practice over Superstition Mountain, near El Centro, California. [28][29][30][31], The Navy Flight Exhibition Team was reorganized and commissioned the United States Navy Flight Demonstration Squadron on 10 December 1973. In May 1952, the Blue Angels began performing again with F9F-5 Panthers[42] at an airshow in Memphis, Tennessee. As of the 2020 season[update], there have been 272 demonstration pilots in the Blue Angels since their inception.[13][14]. The team's SNJ was also replaced by another Bearcat, painted yellow for the air combat routine, inheriting the "Beetle Bomb" nickname. 4 or slot pilot, was absent from the formation. The change was because one pilot and another officer in the organization had been removed from duty for engaging in an "inappropriate relationship". Katie Higgins knew about the military from growing up as the daughter of a Navy FA-18 pilot, moving with her family every 2-3 years and spending her first two years of high school in Yokosuka, Japan. Bud Wood 7 July 1952: killed when his F9F-5 Panther collided with another Panther jet during a demonstration in. U.S. Marine Corps Capt. [68], In 2009, the Blue Angels were inducted into the International Air & Space Hall of Fame at the San Diego Air & Space Museum.[69]. 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. Lt. Michael Curtin 8 November 1978: one of the solo Skyhawks struck the ground after low roll during arrival maneuvers at. 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. [86], In response to the Coronavirus outbreak, the Blue Angels flew over multiple US cities as a tribute to healthcare and front line workers. Also, they fly some of the oldest Hornets in the inventory. Current Blue Angel Pilots L Lieutenant Amy Tomlinson Lieutenant Ben Walborn Lieutenant Commander Frank Weisser Lieutenant Jim Tomaszeski Lieutenant Robert Kurrle, Jr M Major Christopher Collins Categories Community content is available under CC-BY-SA unless otherwise noted. You have survived the ultimate test of your peers and have proven to be completely deserving to wear the crest of the U.S. Navy Blue Angels. The squadron selected two F/A-18E/F Super Hornet pilots, an events coordinator, a C-130J Super Hercules pilot, an aviation maintenance officer, and a flight surgeon to replace outgoing team members. ``It was an extremely demanding decision on Commander Cochran's part,'' said retired Vice Admiral Anthony A. In 1957, the Blue Angels transitioned from the F9F-8 Cougar to the supersonic Grumman F11F-1 Tiger. John Fogg, Lt. Marlin Wiita, and Lt. Cmdr. On 22 May 2011, the Blue Angels were performing at the Lynchburg Regional Airshow in Lynchburg, Virginia, when the Diamond formation flew the Barrel Roll Break maneuver at an altitude lower than the required minimum. In 3 years, my Dad taught 1,800 pilots to fly for the Army, Navy and Marines . us navy blue angels blue angels jets blue angels air show u.s. navy blue angels blue angels planes Usually, two back seats rides are available at each air show; one goes to a member of the press, and the other to the "Key Influencer". On 10 December 1973, the Navy Flight Exhibition Team was reorganized and commissioned the United States Navy Flight Demonstration Squadron. Capt. Dear Davis Family & Blue Angels Team, Our heart aches with all of you suffering the loss of a wonderful Pilot, and friend to our son, Ryan Courtade (MC2(AW/NAC}, team photographer. 4 serves as the demonstration safety officer, due largely to the perspective they are afforded from the slot position within the formation, as well as their status as a second-year demonstration pilot. She is a real go-getter. [33] On 13 July, the team acquired, and began flying the straight-wing Grumman F9F-2B Panther between demonstration shows. March 16, 2014", "US Navy Blue Angels 1st Air Show in 2014 on March 15 at El Centro California", "Harley Hall:Vietnam POW (wearing BA gold flight suit-1971)", "History of the Blue Angels/Significant Events in Blue Angels History, 1970s", "Seventy Years Strong: The U.S. Navy's Blue Angels", "Flight Teams, 1950 (Flight Leader John Magda, second from right)", "A Blue Angel's First Combat Flight at Midway", "Former Blue Angels pilot tells what inspired him to fly", 2 Blue Angels found guilty, await punishment, "A (Potentially) Disgraced Angel (updated)", "Blue Angels Lynchburg Va. 2011 was this the problem formation? Robert Janca Left Wing 1959-1961 Capt. This category has the following 6 subcategories, out of 6 total. Greg McWherter presents Secretary of the Navy Ray Mabus an autographed memento of the Blue Angels flight demonstration team in flight.jpg, US Navy 100625-N-0092J-029 Members of the U.S. Navy flight demonstration squadron, the Blue Angels, rest on the vertical stabs of an F-A-18 Hornet after performing at The Great Minnesota Air Show.jpg, US Navy 101022-N-8102J-044 Retired Cmdr. Ronald Everett Narrator/Public Info. Once aboard the aircraft carrier USSPrinceton on 9 November, the group formed the core of Fighter Squadron 191 (VF-19), "Satan's Kittens", under the command of World War II fighter ace and 1950 Blue Angels Commander/Flight Leader, Lt. Some of the maneuvers include both solo aircraft performing at once, such as opposing passes (toward each other in what appears to be a collision course) and mirror formations (back-to-back, belly-to-belly, or wingtip-to-wingtip, with one jet flying inverted). Lt. Cmdr. Capt. 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. Lt. Amanda Lee will soon train for the 2023 air show season. Modifications to each F/A-18E/F include removal of the weapons and replacement with a tank that contains smoke-oil used in demonstrations and outfitting the control stick with a spring system for more precise aircraft control input. Lt. The aircraft silhouettes change as the team changes aircraft. [51] The first demonstration was flying the short-nosed version on 23 March, at Barin Field, Pensacola, and then the long-nosed versions. Its mission is to support wounded veterans who proudly volunteered to serve our nation and preserve our freedom. Navy Commander Anthony Less became the squadron's first "commanding officer" and "flight leader". Jeff Kuss (Opposing Solo, #6) 2 June 2016: died just after takeoff while performing the Split-S maneuver in his F/A-18 Hornet during a practice run for The Great Tennessee Air Show in, Lt. John R. Dewenter 2 August 1958: landed wheels up at, Lt. Ernie Christensen 30 August 1970: belly-landed his F-4J Phantom at, Cmdr. The 83 litho features the Blues in the A-4 Skyhawk flying past Diamond Head, Honolulu, Hawaii. [37][38] The F8F-1 "Beetle Bomb" was relegated to solo aerobatics before the main show, until it crashed on takeoff at a training show in Pensacola on 24 April 1950, killing "Blues" pilot Lt. Robert Longworth. [1] Formed in 1946, the unit is the second oldest formal aerobatic team in the world, after the French Patrouille de France formed in 1931. The Blue Angels is a team of experienced fighter pilots from the US Navy and Marine Corps. 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. Officer 1960-1962 Capt. The team then returns to their home base in Pensacola, Florida, in March, and continues to practice throughout the show season. [62], In 2000, the Navy was conducting investigations in regard and connected to the loss of two Blue Angels pilots in October 1999. The squadron's six demonstration pilots currently fly the F/A-18 Hornet in more than 70 shows at 34 locations throughout the United States each year, where they still . 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. Flight surgeons serve a two-year term. 7 pilot narrates for a year, and then typically flies Opposing and then Lead Solo the following two years, respectively. [72], On 29 July 2011, a new Blue Angels Mustang GT was auctioned off for $400,000 at the Experimental Aircraft Association AirVenture Oshkosh (Oshkosh Air Show) annual summer gathering of aviation enthusiasts from 25 to 31 July in Oshkosh, Wisconsin which had an attendance of 541,000 persons and 2,522 show planes. The rest of the season was cancelled after this incident. Greg McWherter, commanding officer and flight leader of the U.S. Navy flight demonstration squadron, the Blue Ange.jpg, US Navy 111015-N-IR859-047 Members of the U.S. Navy flight demonstration squadron, the Blue Angels, prepare to recover six F-A-18 Hornets.jpg, US Navy 111015-N-IR859-049 Capt. United States Navy's flight demonstration squadron. Average pilot age: 33 years old. Cmdr. The "Blues" perform at both military and non-military airfields, and often at major U.S. cities and capitals; also locations in Canada are often included in the air show schedule. Team members vote in secret on the next year's officers. Support Pilot 1959-1961 Capt. In 1972, the Blue Angels were awarded the Navy's Meritorious Unit Commendation for the two-year period from 1 March 1970 to 31 December 1971. To prevent blood from pooling in their legs, Blue Angel pilots have developed a method for tensing their muscles to prevent blood from pooling in their lower extremities, possibly rendering them unconscious. Naval Air Forces, is strapped into an F-A-18 Hornet, assigned to the U.S. Na.jpg, US Navy 110215-N-IR859-069 Vice Adm. Allen G. Myers, commander of U.S. celebrating 76 years of excellence. Mike Gershon (Opposing Solo #6) 13 July 1985: his Skyhawk collided with Lt. Andy Caputi (Lead Solo #5) during a show at Niagara Falls, Gershon was killed and Caputi ejected and parachuted to safety. All of the Blue Angels pilots volunteered for combat duty and the demonstration squadron was disbanded. In 1974, the Blue Angels transitioned to the new Douglas A-4F Skyhawk II. During their [citation needed], In 2006, the Blue Angels marked their 60th year of performing. Lt Frank Gallagher 1 February 1967: killed when his F-11A Tiger stalled during a practice Half Cuban Eight maneuver and spun into the ground. [19], Commander Alexander P. Armatas is a native of Skaneateles, New York. 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. On March 15, 1964, Lt. George L. Neale the slot pilot #4, was killed while his F11F Tiger plane crashed during attempts to land at Apalachicola Municipal Airport. . The team thrilled spectators with low-flying maneuvers performed in tight formations, and (according to Voris) by "keeping something in front of the crowds at all times. 5 flies a "horizontal loop" pulling seven Gs to maintain a tight radius.). 3 pilot moves to the No. McDonnell Douglas F-4J Phantom II Another European tour followed in 1973, including air shows in Iran, England, France, Spain, Turkey, Greece, and Italy. Sneak Pass the fastest speed of the show, just under Mach 1 (about 700mph at sea level). [10][11] The team's Super Hornets became operational by the beginning of 2021, their 75th anniversary year.[12]. NB Neil Young and crazy horse: sleeps with angels Neil Young: prairie wind Nelson: after the rain No doubt: rock steady. The demonstration pilots and narrator are made up of Navy and USMC Naval Aviators. 7 aircraft in Friday's "practice" so that pilots from the fleet and future team members can experience the show. 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. Raleigh " Dusty" Rhodes took command of the Blue Angels team which was flying four Bearcats and a yellow painted SNJ with USN markings dubbed "Beetle Bomb"; the SNJ represented a Japanese Zero for the air show dogfights with the Bearcats. Katie Higgins may be the first female pilot of the Blue Angels, but she will tell you that she didn't get there alone. Rear Admiral Ralph Davison personally selected Lieutenant Commander Roy Marlin "Butch" Voris, a World War II fighter ace, to assemble and train a flight demonstration team, naming him Officer-in-Charge and Flight Leader. [70] The maneuver was aborted, the remainder of the demonstration canceled and all aircraft landed safely. Robert Cass Right Wing 1960-1962 Capt. Welcome to the team. LCDR Kieron O'Connor and LT Kevin Colling were returning from a practice flight before an air show when their F/A-18B crashed in a wooded area of south Georgia. )", "Navy Relieves Commander of Miramar Air Station: Military: Capt. Lt. Cmdr. Marine Corps C-130 demonstration pilots are required to have 1,200 flight hours and be an aircraft commander. [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. LAKELAND - For the past 75 years, the U.S. Navy's Blue Angels flight demonstration squadron has been bringing skilled maneuvers to thousands of onlookers. Annual winter training takes place at NAF El Centro, California, where new and returning pilots hone skills learned in the fleet. Kevin J. Davis 21 April 2007: Capt. Lt. Bill Worley (Opposing Solo) 14 January 1968: killed when his Tiger crashed during a practice double Immelmann. 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. Katie Higgins, 27, became the first female pilot to join the Blue Angels, flying the support aircraft Fat Albert for the 2015 and 2016 show seasons. THE BLUE ANGELS TEAM A total of 16 officers voluntarily serve with the Blue Angels. Closest distance during flight: 18 inches of each other during the Diamond 360 maneuver. MTSU is serving as an event sponsor. Lt. Amanda Lee will be the first female demonstration pilot for the Blue Angels, the Navy announced Monday. [72] The squadron canceled performances at the Rockford, Illinois Airfest 45 June and the Evansville, Indiana Freedom Festival Air Show 1112 June to allow additional practice and demonstration training under McWherter's leadership. [64] At the next performance at Lackland Air Force Base following the announcement the No. For 73+ years, the Blue Angels Flight Demonstration Squadron has flown air shows in front of millions of people around the world. The first woman named to the Blue Angels as F/A-18 demonstration pilot was Lt. Amanda Lee, who is a member of the 2023 team. 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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