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. 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 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 . Tragically, the Blue Angels Commander/Flight Leader Lt. Cmdr. The squadron (due to a shortage of pilots, and no available planes) and its members were ordered to "combat-ready status" after an exhibition at Naval Air Station, Dallas, Texas on 30 July. The Blue Angels introduced the Grumman F11F-1 mid-season in 1957. Lt. Larry Watters 14 February 1972: killed when his F-4J Phantom II struck the ground, upright, while practicing inverted flight, during winter training at NAF El Centro. The Blue Angels is a flight demonstration squadron of the United States Navy. As of the 2020 season[update], there have been 272 demonstration pilots in the Blue Angels since their inception.[13][14]. Lt. Michael Curtin 8 November 1978: one of the solo Skyhawks struck the ground after low roll during arrival maneuvers at. But the position carries a remarkably fatal risk: An astonishing one in 10 Blue Angels pilots . 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. The Blue Angels highlighted the show, which included more than 20 other acts with various military static displays. Now hear from the pilots & crew that were a part of this incredible history as they share their stories. In 1965, the Blue Angels conducted a Caribbean island tour, flying at five sites. 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. In August, "Blues" leader LCDR Ray Hawkins became the first naval aviator to survive an ejection at supersonic speeds when a new F9F-6 he was piloting became uncontrollable on a cross-country flight. The No. Lt. [55] "Fat Albert Airlines" flies with an all-Marine crew of three officers and five enlisted personnel. In July 2014, Marine Corps C-130 pilot Capt. [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 Blues transitioned to the two-seat McDonnell Douglas F-4J Phantom II in 1969, nearly always keeping the back seat empty for flight demonstrations. Katie Higgins may be the first female pilot of the Blue Angels, but she will tell you that she didn't get there alone. Knobby-kneed in their shorts and polo shirts, clutching toy Blue Angel jet replicas, they posed for the picture. Pilots of numbers 27 are Navy lieutenant commanders or lieutenants, or Marine Corps majors or captains. 1952 Blue Angels Mid Air Collision Two Panthers collided during a demonstration in Corpus Christi, Texas and one pilot was killed. [56][57] He served for two more years with the squadron flying the left wing-man position in the No. Val was just great. [citation needed]. The name "Blue Angels" also was painted on the Bearcats. Speeds: Between 120 . Bud Wood 7 July 1952: killed when his F9F-5 Panther collided with another Panther jet during a demonstration in. . The Blue Angels perform for 11. The pilots and jets sport navy blue and yellow coloring. As the Blue Angels' commanding officer, Cmdr. 7, a two-seat F/A-18F Hornet, to show sites. "To be able to come back and be able to link. On 27 May 2011, the Blue Angels announced that Commander Dave Koss, the squadron's commanding officer, would be stepping down. 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. [53][54] The Blues mission was more on Navy recruiting. This Museum is committed to remembering the past and its significance, bringing the past to life." For his daughter, Beth, the experience was . In May 1952, the Blue Angels began performing again with F9F-5 Panthers[42] at an airshow in Memphis, Tennessee. Robert Janca Left Wing 1959-1961 Capt. [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. May God Bless . He graduated from the United States Naval Academy in 2002 with a Bachelor of Science in aerospace engineering. The high show requires at least an 8,000-foot (2,400m) ceiling and visibility of at least 3 nautical miles (6km) from the show's center point. Personal biography. Most of the show alternates between maneuvers performed by the Diamond Formation and those performed by the Solos. From Wikimedia Commons, the free media repository, 160511-N-II118-003 160511-N-II118-003.jpg, Blue Angels - 2010 Joint Service Open House and Airshow.jpg, Blue Angels activity 131023-N-SH953-220.jpg, Blue Angels announce 2015 team members 140709-N-WJ386-082.jpg, Blue Angels announce 2015 team members 140709-N-WJ386-086.jpg, Blue Angels Captain Katie Higgins and Major Mark Hamilton.JPG, Blue Angels crew chief washes aircraft 130514-N-SN160-033.jpg, Blue Angels crew chief washes aircraft 130514-N-SN160-206.jpg, Blue Angels crew chiefs wash aircraft 130514-N-SN160-108.jpg, Blue Angels Flight Demonstration Team 2014 (13194011724).jpg, Blue Angels flight leaders 46-55 NAN8-55.jpg, Blue Angels LCdr- HarleyHHall NAN3-70.jpg, Blue Angels Lockheed C-130 Hercules Fat Albert 1.jpg, Blue Angels Newton-John Travolta cropped.jpg, Blue Angels program 131108-N-SH953-178.jpg, Blue Angels program 131108-N-SH953-285.jpg, Blue Angels roster 1946-1961 NAN12-61.jpg, Grim Blues after photo shoot in inclement weather Pensacola FL.jpg, Joint Service Open House 2012 120518-N-FJ200-330.jpg, Joint Service Open House 2012 120518-N-FJ200-336.jpg, Joint Service Open House 2012 120518-N-FJ200-342.jpg, MAGTF Aviation Combat Element (26490416299).jpg, Marines assist Blue Angels, follow their dreams 120504-M-OT671-139.jpg, Medal of Honor jet departs 3rd MAW 131114-M-XW721-004.jpg, Medal of Honor recipient speaks to Blue Angels 130806-N-SH953-033.jpg, Seattle Fleet Week 150729-N-OP638-083.jpg, Seattle Fleet Week 150729-N-OP638-084.jpg, Thunderbirds and Blue Angels 120301-N-BA418-007.jpg, US Navy (USN) Lieutenant (LT) Craig Olson (foreground left), a pilot assigned to the USN Blue Angels, flight demonstration team, signs autographs for excited fans during the annual - DPLA - 5387dd71ee83c32be93ad60db9451431.jpeg, US Navy 030905-N-4459K-020 Lt. Cmdr. The team flies a "practice" airshow at the show site on Friday. Each year the team typically selects three tactical (fighter or fighter/attack) jet pilots, two support. The next day, the Blue Angels announced that they were initiating a safety stand-down, canceling their upcoming Naval Academy Airshow and returning to their home base in Pensacola, Florida, for additional training and airshow practice. "Once a Blue Angel, always a Blue Angel," rings true for all those who wear the crest of the U.S. Navy Blue Angels. "I saw the Blue Angels fly when I was a young . The team then returns to their home base in Pensacola, Florida, in March, and continues to practice throughout the show season. 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". 4 USMC Maj. Clint Harris and the administrative officer, Navy Lt. Gretchen Doane. [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. [68], In 2009, the Blue Angels were inducted into the International Air & Space Hall of Fame at the San Diego Air & Space Museum.[69]. All team members, both officer and enlisted, pilots and staff officers, come from the ranks of regular Navy and United States Marine Corps units. The team with an additional fifth pilot, relocated to Naval Air Station (NAS) Corpus Christi, Texas. [83], In July 2015, Cmdr Bob Flynn became the Blue Angels' first executive officer. Fresno-born Lt. Larry Watters, 29,. [citation needed], In 2006, the Blue Angels marked their 60th year of performing. ", "Blue Angels commander steps down after subpar performance", "EAA Airventure Oshkosh 2011 Facts and Figures", "One-Off "Blue Angels" Ford Mustang Auctioned at Air Show", "Blue Angels Use Biofuel at Patuxent Air Show", "Blue Angels to Soar on Biofuel During Labor Day Weekend Air Show", U.S. Navy Cancels Blue Angels 2013 Performances, "U.S. Navy Cancels Blue Angels 2013 Performances", "Thunderbirds, Blue Angels to Resume Air Shows", "Wearing Gold: The Blue Angels Return To The Skies (March 16, 2014)", "The Blue Angels' New 'Fat Albert' C-130J Probably Has Dual Citizenship", "Get To Know the Blue Angels Pilots Flying Across Dallas-Fort Worth Wednesday", "New in 2021: Blue Angels to start flying F/A-18 Super Hornets", "Blue Angels to make final flight in the legacy F/A/-18 Hornet as they transition to Super Hornets", "Navy's Blue Angels to get 1st female demonstration team pilot: Lt. Amanda Lee will soon train for the 2023 air show season", "Blue Angels: Historical Aircraft - 60+ Years of Aviation Excellence", "Fat Albert C-130 Gives You A Buzz Cut In This Crazy Head-On Takeoff Video", "Richard Cormier; War Hero, Blue Angels Leader", "Robert F. Aumack, Commander, USN (Ret. He has accumulated more than 4,100 flight hours and 911 carrier-arrested landings. He's the "boss" as flight leader and pilot of the Number 1 aircraft. The first female Blue Angel flight surgeon was Lt. Tamara Schnurr, who was a member of the 2001 team. 1 Blue Angels pilot, was reprimanded last week for allowing, and even contributing to, a toxic work environment on the team from 2011-12. Blue Angel No. The Blue Angels performed their first public flight demonstration from their first training base and team headquarters at Naval Air Station (NAS) Jacksonville, Florida, on 15 and 16 June 1946,[33] with three F6F-5 Hellcats (a fourth F6F-5 was held in reserve). They also represent the US Marine Corps. John Fogg, Lt. Marlin Wiita, and Lt. Cmdr. 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. Tour of duty: 2-3 years. It was their first supersonic aircraft. After ten appearances with the Hellcats, the Hellcats were replaced by the lighter, faster, and more powerful F8F-1 Bearcats on 25 August. That tradition continues at the 47th. John J. Magda 1950, Killed in Action March 1951, Russell J. Bartlett Sept 2002 to Sept 2004. 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. Cmdr. "Almost can't describe it," Blue Angels pilot Cdr. Robert Cass Right Wing 1960-1962 Capt. Kuss' body was recovered just yards away from the crash site. 5 Dirty Roll on Takeoff; No. The current shades of blue and yellow were adopted when the first demonstration aircraft were transitioned from the Grumman F6F-5 Hellcat to the Grumman F8F-1 Bearcat in August 1946; the aircraft wore an all-yellow scheme with blue markings during the 1949 show season. 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. Pat Moneymaker 23 January 1990: their Blue Angel Hornets suffered a mid-air collision during a practice at El Centro. The investigation also cited weather and pilot fatigue as additional causes of the crash. Gerald Larson Solo 1961-1962 The Blue Angels base their selection of officers on their professional ability, military bearing and communication skills. 4 or slot pilot, was absent from the formation. The military legacy in Higgins' family was strong. U.S. Marine Corps Capt. Lt. Amanda Lee will soon train for the 2023 air show season. In December, the team left its home base for its first winter training facility at Naval Air Facility El Centro, California[49], In September 1956, the team added a sixth aircraft to the flight demonstration in the Opposing Solo position,[50] and gave its first performance outside the United States at the International Air Exposition in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. It was formed in 1946, [1] making it the second oldest formal flying aerobatic team (flying under the same name) in the world, after the French Patrouille de France formed in 1931. Only six are used during demonstration flights (normally single-seat versions) and the rest are used as spares, if one of . The Navy's investigation found that 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. The Blue Angels also produce a yearly Lithograph featuring a photo of the team flying in the 6-plane delta formation with a noted landmark in the background. 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. In 1974, the Blue Angels transitioned to the new Douglas A-4F Skyhawk II. John Magda, was killed in action on March 8, 1951. [18], The Flight Leader (No. [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. 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