The "Blue Angels" currently fly a total of 11 jets: 9 single-seat F/A-18E Super Hornet, two 2-seat F/A-18F. The application and evaluation process runs from March through early July, culminating with extensive finalist interviews and team deliberations. Blue Angel No. 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. He was replaced by Captain Greg McWherter, the team's previous commanding officer. 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. The cause of death was blunt force trauma to the head. 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. 15 episodes. 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. Lt. Amanda Lee will be the first female demonstration pilot for the Blue Angels, the Navy announced Monday. . On 7 June at Birmingham, Alabama, four F8F-1 Bearcats (numbered 14) flew in diamond formation for the first time which is now considered the Blue Angels' trademark. Navy and Marine Corps F/A-18 demonstration pilots and naval flight officers are required to have a minimum of 1,250 tactical jet hours and be carrier-qualified. [58], On 8 November 1986, the Blue Angels completed their 40th anniversary year during ceremonies unveiling what would be their aircraft through their 75th anniversary year, the McDonnell Douglas F/A-18 Hornet. It is a thread. The military legacy in Higgins' family was strong. "Once a Blue Angel, always a Blue Angel," rings true for all those who wear the crest of the U.S. Navy Blue Angels. Pilots of numbers 27 are Navy lieutenant commanders or lieutenants, or Marine Corps majors or captains. Coming out of Mounds View, Minnesota, Amanda Lee will be a F/A-18E/F Demonstration Pilot during the 2023 show season. Voris was again tasked with assembling the team (he was the first of only two commanding officers to lead them twice). A spokesman for the team would not confirm the identity of the pilot removed from the team. After ten appearances with the Hellcats, the Hellcats were replaced by the lighter, faster, and more powerful F8F-1 Bearcats on 25 August. The Navy Times reported that Lt. Hontz said, "It is a testament to the training of the pilots that this incident remained very benign. U.S. Navy Lt. Amanda Lee has been selected as the . Cmdr. Commander John Magda; he was killed in action on 8 March 1951.[41]. Welcome to the team. 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. 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. In May 1947, flight leader Lt. Cmdr. That tradition continues at the 47th. This plane also let them perform new maneuvers like the famous Dirty Loop. [34] In May, the Blue Angels performed at Bolling Air Force Base in Washington, D.C. with the Air Force Thunderbirds (activated 25 May 1953). The squadron selected three F/A-18 demonstration pilots, a C-130 demonstrat Greg McWherter, a two-time leader and No. [63] On 30 October 2008, a spokesman for the team announced that the team would complete its last three performances of the year with five jets instead of six. 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. Anthony Walley, ^2 Pilot of the U.S. Navy flight demonstration team, the Blue Angels, speaks with students in the Omniplex theater at the St. Louis Science Center.jpg, US Navy 071110-N-5328N-910 Blue Angels No. A typical week during the season has practices at NAS Pensacola on Tuesday and Wednesday mornings. [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. [16], Applicants "rush" the team at one or more airshows, paid out of their own finances, and sit in on team briefs, post-show activities, and social events. . 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 2,100 1,500; 1.87 MB Robert Nicholls Glasgow 14 October 1958: died during an orientation flight just days after reporting for duty as the new Blue Angels leader. 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. In 3 years, my Dad taught 1,800 pilots to fly for the Army, Navy and Marines . The team then flies to its show venue for the upcoming weekend on Thursday, conducting "circle and arrival" orientation maneuvers upon arrival. 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. Lt. Cmdr. It also upgraded its logistics aircraft to the Douglas R5D Skymaster. [19][90], The "Blues" have flown ten different demonstration aircraft and six support aircraft models:[91][92]. Jeff Kuss Opposing Solo died just after takeoff while performing the Split-S maneuver in his Hornet during a practice run for The Great Tennessee Air Show in Smyrna, Tennessee. )", "Navy Relieves Commander of Miramar Air Station: Military: Capt. The pilots of the F/A-18 Hornet were not required to wear and do not wear g-suits. Commander Raleigh "Dusty" Rhodes[34] during an air show at Beaumont, Texas and added a sixth pilot. 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. Line-Abreast Loop the most difficult formation maneuver to do well (No. 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 Blue Angels use a United States Marine Corps Lockheed C-130J Super Hercules, nicknamed "Fat Albert", for their logistics, carrying spare parts, equipment, and to carry support personnel between shows. Harley Hall 4 June 1971: safely ejected after his F-4J Phantom jet caught fire during practice over. "Almost can't describe it," Blue Angels pilot Cdr. The Blue Angels is a flight demonstration squadron of the United States Navy. Lt. Dave Anderson (Lead solo) 12 February 1987: ejected from his Hornet after a dual engine flame-out during practice near El Centro, California. Only in the past decade has the Navy allowed women to fly fighter jets. The Blue Angels replaced it with an Ex-RAF C-130J (BUNO 170000). My objective was to beat the Army Air Corps. It was their first supersonic aircraft. 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. Alexander joined the Blue Angels in August 2022. The United States Navy's Navy Flight Demonstration Squadron, popularly known as the Blue Angels, was formed in 1946 and is currently the oldest formal flying aerobatic team. The U.S. Navy's famous Blue Angels are roaring over San Francisco again as they prepare to headline the city's annual Fleet Week Air Show this weekend. 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. The Blue Angels began this season in mid-April, at the Sun 'n Fun Aerospace Expo in Lakeland, Fla., which was held with some pandemic-related protocols in place, Huckeba said. 1. In May, the team went to the west coast on temporary duty so the pilots and the rest of the team could become familiar with jet aircraft. [35], In 1949, the team acquired a Douglas R4D Skytrain for logistics to and from show sites. Kevin J. Davis 21 April 2007: Capt. On 25 October 1951, the Blues were ordered to re-activate as a flight demonstration team, and reported to NAS Corpus Christi, Texas. 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. 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. Mike Murphy, and ADJ1 Ron Thomas (Crew Chief) 26 July 1973: all three were killed in a mid-air collision between two Phantoms over Lakehurst, New Jersey, during an arrival practice. McDonnell Douglas F-4J Phantom II Commander Raleigh "Dusty" Rhodes, their third Flight Leader and first jet fighter leader. [64] At the next performance at Lackland Air Force Base following the announcement the No. 4 (slot) position for their second year. 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. Free shipping for many products! Speeds: Between 120 . But last weekend, she flew even higher when she became the first female pilot with the prestigious Blue Angels. For 73+ years, the Blue Angels Flight Demonstration Squadron has flown air shows in front of millions of people around the world. These lithographs are given to individuals . In 1967, the Blues toured Europe again, at six sites. The first four pilots and those after them, were and are some of the best and most experienced aviators in the Navy.[33]. The prestige of wearing the Blue Angels uniform carries with it an extraordinary honor one that reflects not only on you as an individual, but on your teammates and the entire squadron. [33] In 1953, the team traded its Sky Train for a Curtiss R5C Commando. [56][57] He served for two more years with the squadron flying the left wing-man position in the No. [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. Katie Higgins may be the first female pilot of the Blue Angels, but she will tell you that she didn't get there alone. Jeff Kuss was replaced by Cmdr. The Blue Angels' first public demonstration also netted the team its first trophy, which sits on display at the team's current home at NAS Pensacola. [83], In July 2015, Cmdr Bob Flynn became the Blue Angels' first executive officer. Extensive aircraft maintenance is performed on Sunday evening and Monday by maintenance team members. At just 3 years old, twin brothers Matt and Johan Suyderhoud were attending their first airshow. The Blue Angels highlighted the show, which included more than 20 other acts with various military static displays. 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. Robert Janca Left Wing 1959-1961 Capt. [citation needed], In July 2016, Boeing was awarded a $12 million contract to begin an engineering proposal for converting the Boeing F/A-18E/F Super Hornet for Blue Angels use, with the proposal to be completed by September 2017. Lt. The name "Blue Angels" also was painted on the Bearcats. It is a thread that runs through the 75-year history of the Blue Angels. 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. You bring pride, hope and a promise for tomorrow's Navy and Marine Corps in the smiles and handshakes of today's youth. This show is attended by invited guests but is often open to the general public. During winter training, the pilots fly two practice sessions per day, six days a week, to fly the 120 training missions needed to perform the demonstration safely. When the team formed in 1946, its first flight leader, Lt. Cmdr. [3] Since 1946, the Blue Angels have flown for more than 505 million spectators. [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. Every year, 3 tactical jet pilots, 2 support officers, and 1 Marine Corps pilot join the Blue Angels team. The Blue Angels typically perform aerial displays in at least 60 shows annually at 30 locations throughout the United States and two shows at one location in Canada. The pilots and jets sport navy blue and yellow coloring. [86], In response to the Coronavirus outbreak, the Blue Angels flew over multiple US cities as a tribute to healthcare and front line workers. The United States Navy's Blue Angels flight demonstration squadron has always been a favorite centerpiece of Seattle's annual Seafair celebration. 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. John Fogg, Lt. Marlin Wiita, and Lt. Cmdr. Support Pilot 1959-1961 Capt. In July 1963 the team performs its 1000 demonstration in California. I felt that if we weren't the best, it would be my naval career." Later that year, they embarked on a European tour to a dozen sites, including the Paris Air Show, where they were the only team to receive a standing ovation. 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. Lt. Jim Ross (Lead Solo) April 1980: unhurt when his Skyhawk suffered a fuel line fire during a show at. Because it takes six to eight years to log the 1,250 hours of flying time needed to try out for the Blue Angels, there has yet to be a female Blue Angel pilot. Lt. Nile Kraft (Opposing Solo) 22 February 1977: killed when his Skyhawk struck the ground during practice. 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. The Blue Angels is a flight demonstration squadron of the United States Navy. Marine Corps C-130 demonstration pilots are required to have 1,200 flight hours and be an aircraft commander. He has accumulated more than 4,100 flight hours and 911 carrier-arrested landings. Most of these pilots found their way to Iwo Jima, in one way or another. 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. 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