The closest the diamond will fly to each other is 18 inches during the Diamond 360 Selections must be unanimous. 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. All structured data from the file namespace is available under the. 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. (Chris Williamson/U.S. He graduated from the United States Naval Academy in 2017. F/A-18 Demonstration Pilots: 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. -LT Griffin Stangel, of Madison, Wisconsin, is an F/A-18 pilot currently assigned to the Flying Eagles of Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 122. Captain Cochran made one deployment on board the USS Ranger (CV-61). Blue Angels Douglas A-4 Skyhawk (NA 330-CFD-DN-SC-85-00472). Lee is assigned to the Gladiators of Strike Fighter Squadron 106. They also represent the US Marine Corps. Here are eight facts to know about Blue Angels pilots and their work: 1. The average age of a pilot is around 33 years old. WebThe "Blue Angels" are the United States Navy Flight Demonstration Squadron. U.S. Navy Lt. Amanda Lee was named the first-ever female F-18 fighter pilot to become a Blue Angels team member Monday. (Cochran was the last commanding officer of Fighter Squadron 1 the Wolfpack). We had an overwhelming number of applicants from all over the globe this year, Capt. 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. A second plaque was later added which bears the inscription: |IN HONOR OF COMMANDER DONNIE COCHRAN, U.S. NAVY THE FIRST BLACK NAVAL AVIATOR TO COMMAND THE BLUE ANGELS FLIGHT DEMONSTRATION TEAM. She graduated from Recruit Training Command in Great Lakes, Illinois in 2007, according to the U.S. Navy. Arranged by the number on the jet they fly. Tucker said that the investigation is not linked to the Jan. 22 emergency landing of an unnamed Blue Angels pilot at El Centro. What this meant for the 1986 team, they would get an extra year on the team. 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. The "Blue Angels" currently fly a total of 11 jets: 9 single Introduced in 1962, the Double Farvel maneuver had both the flight leader and slot pilots fly inverted. In 2019, Lee was one of nine female naval aviators who honored one of the first military pilots, the later Rosemary Mariner, with an all-women flyover at her funeral services. Official U.S. Navy Photograph. His awards include the Joseph Galloway Award for Distinguished Reporting on the military, a first prize from Investigative Reporters & Editors and the Combat Infantryman Badge. It was during this tour that Captain Cochran applied for, completed an interview process, and was selected as commanding officer and flight leader of the Blue Angels. The 2021 show season, which also marked the 75th anniversary of the establishment of the Blue Angels in 1946, introduced the F/A-18 Super Hornet to air show crowds. Blue Angels Lockheed TV-2 Shooting Star (National Naval Aviation Museum). By the time his assignment with VF-213 was completed, he had flown over 2,000 hours and made 469 carrier landings in fighter aircraft. DIVE! 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. 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). 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. Alternating crews of about 45 team members travel to each airshow, according to the Navy. The Blue Angels flew two versions of the Panther (the F9F-2 and F9F-5), the first jet operated by the team. Blue Angels McDonnell Douglas F-4 Phantoms (National Naval Aviation Museum). 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. Thanks for contacting us. 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Greg Jones of Cary, N.C., was selected as the new Blue Angels maintenance officer. Many highly qualified Navy and Marine Corps officers submit applications to join the Blue Angels each year. 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 will complete the 2022 season with a homecoming show in Pensacola, Fla., in November. Commander Greg McWherter (Head of the Blue Angels) Lieutenant James Tomaszeski. until 0400 est. 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. Hundreds of women have held various roles with the Blue Angels over 55 years, but Lee is the first woman selected to serve as a demonstration pilot. 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. From 1952 to 1954, the Blue Angels flew a single TV-2 Shooting Star. Jul 20, 2022, 11:56 AM. -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. The Blues made "slight changes to the conventional officer rotation," as a result of the lost season, said Cmdr. He graduated from the United States Naval Academy in 2012. After 16 months as XO, Cochran assumed command of VF-1 as commanding officer (CO). On January 27th, 1973, CDR Harley Hall was shot down over Vietnam. Brian Kesselring, commanding officer and flight leader of the Blue Angels. Three months after establishment in April 1946, the flight exhibition team's first performance took place on June 15. 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. The swept-wing successor to the F9F Panther, the Cougar equipped the Blue Angels for only a brief time. Shortly after arriving at VF-124 in 1985, Captain Cochran applied for and was selected as a Blue Angels pilot. Team members vote in secret on the next year's members, with no accountability to the higher Navy authority why an applicant was or was not selected. In 1958, the Back-to-Back Pass and the first six-plane Delta maneuvers were added to the performance. -LT Christopher Kapuschansky, of Yorktown, Virginia, is an F/A-18 pilot currently assigned to the Gladiators of Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 106. On March 8th, 1951, LCDR Johnny Magda was shot down and killed in Korea. Deo Harrypersaud, crew chief of the Blue Angels ^7 plane, prior to a VIP ride with.jpg, US Navy 070707-N-2888Q-003 Lt. Cmdr. They have had 251 demonstration pilots, and 35 Flight Leaders/Commanding Officers. WebThe Blue Angels might be a demonstration team, but they are naval aviators first. The Blue Angels select finalists to interview at the teams home base of Naval Air Station (NAS) Pensacola, Florida, during the week of the Pensacola Beach Air Show each year. Svetlana Shkolnikova covers Congress for Stars and Stripes. Blue Angels McDonnell Douglas F/A-18 Hornets perform the Double Farvel maneuver at the 2018 Terre Haute Air Show, 18 August 2018. A fatal crash at Naval Air Station Whiting Field in 1950 ended the use of Beetle Bomb as part of flight demonstrations. (Sara Eshleman/U.S. 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. Navy Cmdr. We've received your submission. All Rights Reserved. Rushes are asked to tell a joke prior to the brief, and graded by the team as part of the rigorous selection process. February 15th, DVIDS Hub works best with JavaScript enabled, Version: 89f6906e9817dc7b192edf8e8d786e2b331150b5_2023-02-27T10:21:17. Lt. Cmdr. Tom Winkler, a Blue Angels pilot, autographs a ballcap for a young fan following a performance at the Thunder Over Michigan Air Show.jpg, US Navy 070823-N-3271W-001 The Honorable Becky Skillman, Lt. He graduated from Central Washington University in 2010. announced six new officers for the 2023 air show season, Precision and form draw crowds, and awe, at Thunder Over Michigan, Navy Week, Thunder Over Michigan airshow return to Detroit area, Gallantry: Biden presents Medal of Honor to retired Army Col. 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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 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. 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. Governor of Indiana presents a certificate declaring the Blue Angels as Honorary Hoosiers.jpg, US Navy 070908-N-9134V-044 Cmdr. Pilots serve two to three years, and position assignments are made according to team needs, pilot experience levels, and career considerations for members. The Blue Angels resumed flying the Panther when they reformed following that combat deployment. He served in the Marine Corps and the Pennsylvania Army National Guard. Naval Academy in Annapolis, Md. The officer selection process requires pilots and support officers (flight surgeon, events coordinator, maintenance officer, supply officer, and public affairs officer) wishing to become Blue Angels to apply formally via their chain-of-command, with a personal statement, letters of recommendation and flight records. Marine Corps C-130 demonstration pilots are required to have 1,200 flight hours and be an aircraft commander. WebThe Blue Angles pilots are there hanging out with the people, signing autographs, and telling stories. Chelsea Dietlin, of Rochester Hills, Michigan. Jim Cox, of Brian Vaught of Englewood, Colo., is the teams new events coordinator. 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. There are a number of other officers in the squadron, including a Naval Flight Officer, the USMC C-130 pilots, a Maintenance Officer, an Administrative Officer, and a Flight Surgeon. The following 160 files are in this category, out of 160 total. At the time, she credited Mariner for pioneering the way for women like herself in the air forces. The team makes selections at the conclusion of that week. This years show concluded on July 9, at which point selections were made. -LT Christopher Kapuschansky, of Yorktown, Virginia, is an F/A-18 pilot currently assigned to the Gladiators of Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 106. The Blue Angels name was introduced a month later. Its because of women like Capt. Supply Officer: Following his department head tour, Captain Cochran was screened to command of an operational F-14 squadron and was selected to attend the Air War College, at Maxwell Air Force Base, Montgomery, Alabama.