Photo courtesy of Savannah State University, NROTC. Cochran at the dedication ceremony for the A-4 static display on the Campus of Savannah State University on May 10, 1991. The Navy annually counts 16 officers who volunteer for the team and theyre supported by nearly 100 enlisted sailors and Marines. Kevin Mannix, commanding officer of the Navy's Blue Angels flight demonstration team, introduces the team during the Naval Air Station Oceana Air Show Beach Blast.jpg, US Navy 071031-N-8102J-019 Brian Schneider, catcher for the Washington Nationals baseball team, receives preflight instructions from the crew chief, Marine Corps Staff Sgt. 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 He is a naval flight officer assigned to the Naval School of Aviation Safety and graduated from the University of Colorado in 2008. Thomas Zimmerman of Baltimore also will serve as a F/A-18E/F demonstration pilot. Lt. Amanda Lee will be the first female demonstration pilot for the Blue Angels, the Navy announced Monday. WebU.S. With the exception of ahandful of new names, next year's team looks very similar to the2020 team that had its entire 2020 air show season wiped out by the coronavirus pandemic. Presented here are historical images of some of these classic propeller-driven aircraft and thunderous jets flown by the Blue Angels. He was the first African American pilot to fly with the Blue Angels and flew for three seasons (1986-87-88). DIVE! Brian Kesselring, commanding officer and flight leader of the Blue Angels. July 18, 2022 11:50 AM. Your work environment matters and when the values of respect, integrity, honesty, and loyalty break down, so does your performance! 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. A 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 to Navy officials. 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. The number 7 pilot narrates for a year, and then typically flies Opposing and then Lead Solo the following two years, respectively. All structured data from the file namespace is available under the. When the Blue Angels transitioned to the F8F Bearcat, they painted one of them yellow to fill the role of Beetle Bomb. It continued to fly even when the teams transitioned to jet aircraft in 1949. An estimated 11 million spectators watch the squadron perform every year throughout the country and in Canada. With its sleek lines and afterburner, the F11F Tiger proved one of the most popular show aircraft flown by the Blue Angels. 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. Navy). Navy Blue Angels flying F-4J Phantom II aircraft, they exhibit their maneuvering skills over Roosevelt Roads, Puerto Rico, 23 March 1970. The four diamond pilots were frozen in positioned for a year to enhance safety, to accommodate the team's transition to the new F/A-18, and to fly a complete airshow season in the same year. The swept-wing successor to the F9F Panther, the Cougar equipped the Blue Angels for only a brief time. (U.S. Navy photoby Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Cody Hendrix). We look forward to training our fantastic new team members, passing on the torch, and watching the incredible things this team will accomplish in 2023.. Higgins flew the teams C-130 Fat Albert transport plane from 2014 to 2016. The team makes selections at the conclusion of that week. WebCurrent Blue Angel Pilots L Lieutenant Amy Tomlinson Lieutenant Ben Walborn Lieutenant Commander Frank Weisser Lieutenant Jim Tomaszeski Lieutenant Robert Kurrle, Jr M It began flying in air shows toward the end of the teams first season in 1946 and was the first aircraft to have the team name painted on it. The "Blue Angels" currently fly a total of 11 jets: 9 single Greg Jones of Cary, N.C., was selected as the new Blue Angels maintenance officer. 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. Blue Angels Vought F7U Cutlass jet fighters (National Naval Aviation Museum). In 1986, Captain Cochran flew the left wingman position flying the number 3 jet in the A-4F Skyhawk. F8F Bearcat "Beetle Bomb" (National Naval Aviation Museum). He is assigned to the Red Rippers of Strike Fighter Squadron 11 and is a 2009 graduate of the U.S. This story has been shared 163,713 times. [This quote needs a citation]. -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. from around the world. 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. Tom Winkler signs autographs for Virginia Beach resident Matt and his son.jpg, US Navy 061025-N-5060B-100 Mass Communication Specialist Heather Ewton interviews Blue Angel's pilot Lt. Kevin Davis after giving a media ride to local VIP personnel prior to the 2006 Naval Air Station Jacksonville (NAS Jax) Sh.jpg, US Navy 061027-N-1810F-039 Raleigh Dusty Rhodes, one of the first pilots and commanders of the Blue Angels, autographs a poster for Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Joseph Olivares before the practice air show aboard Nav.jpg, US Navy 070203-N-6652A-074 Blue Angels Public Affairs Chief Brabble holds a meet and greet with local law enforcement agencies and their families before an air performance.jpg, US Navy 070422-N-0000X-001 Navy file photo of U.S. Navy Blue Angels Flight Demonstration pilot, Lcdr. -LT William Kruger, of Scottsdale, Arizona, is a Supply Officer currently assigned to USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN 69). Michael Brochstein/Sipa USA. Blue Angels Grumman F9F Cougars (National Naval Aviation Museum). 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. Lee follows Marine Maj. Katie Higgins, who was the first woman to fly with the Blue Angels. The US Navy Flight Demonstration Squadron Her relief on Monday raised eyebrows because the Air Force had announced only two weeks earlier that Kotnick would take command of the Vipers. WebUS 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 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. 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. Three months after establishment in April 1946, the flight exhibition team's first performance took place on June 15. Allegations of misconduct are taken very seriously by the Navy but it would be inappropriate at this time to comment on an ongoing investigation, Tucker said. -LT Griffin Stangel, of Madison, Wisconsin, is an F/A-18 pilot currently assigned to the Flying Eagles of Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 122. Tucker said that the investigation is not linked to the Jan. 22 emergency landing of an unnamed Blue Angels pilot at El Centro. A native of Belarus, she has also reported from Moscow, Russia. The Blue Angels switched from flying the F/A-18 Hornet to the F/A-18E/F Super Hornet at the end of 2020. 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. 2023 Stars and Stripes. 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. 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. We had an overwhelming number of applicants from all over the globe this year, Capt. In 1958, the Back-to-Back Pass and the first six-plane Delta maneuvers were added to the performance. 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