PENSACOLA, Fla. - The U.S. Navy Flight Demonstration Squadron, the Blue Angels, released their 2023 air show schedule at the International Council of Air Shows convention, Dec. 7, 2021. John Saccomando, assigned to the U.S. Navy flight demonstration team, the Blue Angels, signs autographs after their performance.jpg, US Navy 050202-N-3874J-002 Crew Chief Aviation Ordnanceman 1st Class Eric Velazquez of Ceiba, Puerto Rico, moves to a safe location, as his Blue Angel F-A-18A Hornet starts to taxi prior to take off.jpg, US Navy 050202-N-8977L-004 A crew coordinator for the Blue Angels prepares to taxi four of the Blue Angel's F-A-18A Hornets prior to launch for a morning training exercise during their annual winter training on board Naval Air.jpg, US Navy 050203-N-0962S-170 Master Chief Petty Officer of the Navy (MCPON) Terry Scott climbs from the back seat after taking a flight in an F-A-18D Hornet while visiting the Blue Angels' winter training facility on board Naval.jpg, US Navy 050203-N-0962S-204 After receiving a flight in a Blue Angel F-A-18D Hornet, Master Chief Petty Officer of the Navy (MCPON) Terry Scott speaks to the pilots and maintenance team at the Blue Angels' winter training facili.jpg, US Navy 050203-N-0962S-209 After receiving a flight in a Blue Angel F-A-18D Hornet, Master Chief Petty Officer of the Navy (MCPON) Terry Scott speaks to the pilots and maintenance team at the Blue Angels' winter training facil.jpg, US Navy 050203-N-1539M-006 Master Chief Petty Officer of the Navy (MCPON) Terry D. Scott answers questions from members of the Blue Angels maintenance team.jpg, US Navy 050203-N-8977L-003 Sailors of the Blue Angels Power Plants Department remove the engines from an F-A-18A Hornet for maintenance during their annual winter training on board Naval Air Facility (NAF) El Centro, Calif.jpg, US Navy 050401-N-2360K-013 Dallas Cowboy football legend, Roger Starbach, presents the members of the U.S. Navy Flight Demonstration Team, Blue Angels, with autographed footballs.jpg, US Navy 050401-N-2360K-014 James Reagan and Rebecca Bennet receive signed lithographs from the U.S. Navy Flight Demonstration Team, Blue Angels, as congratulations for their achievements.jpg, US Navy 050401-N-8110K-058 U.S. Navy Flight Demonstration Team Blue Angels Maintenance Master Chief, William Casttilla, left, and Command Master Chief, Kevin Harris, center, greet retired Tuskegee Airman Dick Macon.jpg, US Navy 050402-N-1328C-631 F-A-18A Hornet Slot Pilot, Lt. Cmdr. Lt. Dave Anderson (Lead solo) 12 February 1987: ejected from his Hornet after a dual engine flame-out during practice near El Centro, California. Selections must be unanimous. The first four pilots and those after them, were and are some of the best and most experienced aviators in the Navy.[33]. Richard Thorndike Support Pilot 1960-1962 Capt. Here is a List of All Blue Angels Accidents 29 September 1946 Blue Angels crash Lt. Ross "Robby" Robinson was killed during a performance when a wingtip broke off his Bearcat, sending him into an unrecoverable spin. [39], The Blue Angels pilots continued to perform nationwide in 1950. The Blue . It is a thread. [33] On 13 July, the team acquired, and began flying the straight-wing Grumman F9F-2B Panther between demonstration shows. 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. Frank Weisser to finish out the 2016 and 2017 seasons. As of the 2020 season[update], there have been 272 demonstration pilots in the Blue Angels since their inception.[13][14]. To boost Navy morale, demonstrate naval air power, and maintain public interest in naval aviation, an underlying mission was to help the Navy generate public and political support for a larger allocation of the shrinking defense budget. [1] The team employed a North American SNJ Texan, painted and configured to simulate a Japanese Zero, to simulate aerial combat. The pilots signatures appear below the photo. There have been more than 260 past Blue Angels pilots and over 37 Flight Leaders (also known as the Boss or Commanding Officer). Kevin Mannix of the U.S. Navy flight . The Blue Angels were formed in 1946, a couple of years after the end of World War II. Behind them in the photo, kneeling down and pointing the boys toward the camera was Lt. David Anderson, a Blue Angels Pilot. Plane cost: $21 million each. THE BLUE ANGELS TEAM A total of 16 officers voluntarily serve with the Blue Angels. 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. The application and evaluation process runs from March through early July, culminating with extensive finalist interviews and team deliberations. Capt. On 8 October 1999, the Blue Angels lost two pilots. [36] On 20 August, the team debuted the panther jets under Team Leader Lt. 3 pilot moves to the No. [33] The Blue Angels were disbanded,[34] and its pilots were reassigned to a carrier. [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. Fresno-born Lt. Larry Watters, 29,. Robert Cass Right Wing 1960-1962 Capt. After ten appearances with the Hellcats, the Hellcats were replaced by the lighter, faster, and more powerful F8F-1 Bearcats on 25 August. When the team formed in 1946, its first flight leader, Lt. Cmdr. U.S. Navy Blue Angels | History : Team Photos Navy.com USMC.com Home Team Show Info History Media FAQ Join the Team History Links The Blue Angels Story Significant Events Team Photos. Less, former commander of the Atlantic Fleet Naval Air Force and a past Blue Angels' team leader. This show is attended by invited guests but is often open to the general public. 1) is the Commanding Officer and is always a Navy commander, who may be promoted to captain mid-tour if approved for captain by the selection board. 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. Lee, who goes by the call sign "Stalin," is among six . The cause of death was blunt force trauma to the head. 2 pilot Lt. Cmdr. As the Blue Angels' commanding officer, Cmdr. The Blue Angel suspension follows Tuesday's unrelated announcement about the Air Force's firing of Capt. [citation needed], In 2006, the Blue Angels marked their 60th year of performing. Her dream came true in 2011, when she received her wings. . [19][90], The "Blues" have flown ten different demonstration aircraft and six support aircraft models:[91][92]. [77][78], On 1 March 2013, the U.S. Navy announced that it was cancelling remaining 2013 performances after 1 April 2013 due to sequestration budget constraints. In 1974, the Blue Angels transitioned to the new Douglas A-4F Skyhawk II. 7 aircraft in Friday's "practice" so that pilots from the fleet and future team members can experience the show. Changeover Roll a left Echelon barrel roll where the echelon formation changes over to diamond formation after 90 off bank. Cmdr. In 1971, the team which wore the gold flight suits for the first show,[52] conducted its first Far East Tour, performing at a dozen locations in Korea, Japan, Taiwan, Guam, and the Philippines. . Now hear from the pilots & crew that were a part of this incredible history as they share their stories. 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. The Blue Angels Demonstration Team currently flies the F/A-18 Hornet strike fighter, an aircraft with both fighter and attack capabilities. 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. 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. In May 1947, flight leader Lt. Cmdr. The Blue Angels introduced the Grumman F11F-1 mid-season in 1957. Marine Corps Maj. Charles Moseley and Cmdr. 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. [66] The names of the two members involved were later released on the Pensacola News Journal website/forum as pilot No. The demonstration pilots and narrator are made up of Navy and USMC Naval Aviators. The Blue Angels highlighted the show, which included more than 20 other acts with various military static displays. [124][125], Four former Blue Angels pilots have been killed in action or died after being captured, all having been downed by anti-aircraft fire.[136]. 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. They do not wear G-suits because the air bladders inside repeatedly deflate and inflate, interfering with that stability. Moseley ejected safely and Moneymaker was able to land his airplane, which then required a complete right wing replacement. [64] At the next performance at Lackland Air Force Base following the announcement the No. Kevin Davis, a native of Pittsfield, Mass.jpg, US Navy 070425-N-7559C-002 Lt. Cmdr. [33] In 1953, the team traded its Sky Train for a Curtiss R5C Commando. 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. John J. Magda 1950, Killed in Action March 1951, Russell J. Bartlett Sept 2002 to Sept 2004. Greg McWherter, flight leader and commanding officer of the U.S. Navy flight demonstration squadron, the Blue Ange.jpg, US Navy 110702-N-VO219-002 Lt. C.J. Lt. Bill Worley (Opposing Solo) 14 January 1968: killed when his Tiger crashed during a practice double Immelmann. The first female Blue Angel flight surgeon was Lt. Tamara Schnurr, who was a member of the 2001 team. [citation needed], The Fat Albert performed its final JATO demonstration at the 2009 Pensacola Homecoming show, expending their eight remaining JATO bottles. Extensive aircraft maintenance is performed on Sunday evening and Monday by maintenance team members. 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. Only in the past decade has the Navy allowed women to fly fighter jets. 1952 Blue Angels Mid Air Collision Two Panthers collided during a demonstration in Corpus Christi, Texas and one pilot was killed. Lt. Anton M. Campanella (#3 Left Wing) 14 June 1960: killed flying a, Lt. George L. Neale 15 March 1964: killed during an attempted emergency landing at Apalach Airport near, Lt. Cmdr. 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? F/A-18 Hornet past blue angels pilots fighter, an aircraft with both fighter and attack capabilities flight surgeon Lt.. Runs from March through early July, the Blue Angels pilot Blue Angel flight surgeon was Lt. Anderson. To a carrier October 1999, the team formed in 1946, a of! 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