Members of the Blue Angels team also visit more than 50,000 people in schools, hospitals, and community functions at air show cities. The United States Navy's Blue Angels flight demonstration squadron has always been a favorite centerpiece of Seattle's annual Seafair celebration. Alfred 'A' Taddeo, an original member of the U.S. Navy flight demonstration team.jpg, US Navy 101023-N-1776T-107 Capt. The Solos join the Diamond Formation near the end of the show for a number of maneuvers in the Delta Formation. [23][24] The team was first introduced as the Blue Angels during an air show in July 1946. Governor of Indiana presents a certificate declaring the Blue Angels as Honorary Hoosiers.jpg, US Navy 070908-N-9134V-044 Cmdr. 4 serves as the demonstration safety officer, due largely to the perspective they are afforded from the slot position within the formation, as well as their status as a second-year demonstration pilot. "We got the first woman applicant two years ago," Swartz says. Coming out of Mounds View, Minnesota, Amanda Lee will be a F/A-18E/F Demonstration Pilot during the 2023 show season. The age of the Blue Angels display team is astounding. 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. [34] The name had originated through a suggestion by Right Wing Pilot Lt. Maurice "Wick" Wickendoll, after he had read about the Blue Angel nightclub in The New Yorker magazine. The Blue Angel's iconic C-130 transport, lovingly known as "Fat Albert," which was carrying Captain Kuss's body, flew alongside lead solo pilot Ryan Chamberlain in his F/A-18 trailing a plum. This Museum is committed to remembering the past and its significance, bringing the past to life." For his daughter, Beth, the experience was . Team members vote in secret on the next year's officers. In a precision flying team that has not lost a pilot since 1985, safety is priority number one. The Blue Angels is a flight demonstration squadron of the United States Navy. First held in 1981, the event has become . 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. 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. celebrating 76 years of excellence. 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. 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. But the position carries a remarkably fatal risk: An astonishing one in 10 Blue Angels pilots . 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. Lt. Amanda Lee will be the first female demonstration pilot for the Blue Angels, the Navy announced Monday. Bud Wood 7 July 1952: killed when his F9F-5 Panther collided with another Panther jet during a demonstration in. On this Wikipedia the language links are at the top of the page across from the article title. Kuss had performed the maneuver too low while failing to retard the throttle out of afterburner, causing him to fall too fast and recover too low above the ground. Blue Angels Association Based out of Pensacola, Florida Once a Blue Angel, Always a Blue Angel! 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. In 1967, the Blues toured Europe again, at six sites. 5 flies a "horizontal loop" pulling seven Gs to maintain a tight radius.). Plane cost: $21 million each. Richard Thorndike Support Pilot 1960-1962 Capt. This ODU alumna is making history as the first woman to be chosen as a demonstration pilot for the Blue Angels flying . Lt. Amanda Lee, the first female to join the US Navy Blue Angel's as a fighter pilot. The Navy's investigation found that Capt. Changeover Roll a left Echelon barrel roll where the echelon formation changes over to diamond formation after 90 off bank. [28][29][30][31], The Navy Flight Exhibition Team was reorganized and commissioned the United States Navy Flight Demonstration Squadron on 10 December 1973. Lt. Amanda Lee was selected to be a F . The team flew the McDonnell Douglas F/A-18 Hornet for 34 years from 1986 through 2020. [86], In response to the Coronavirus outbreak, the Blue Angels flew over multiple US cities as a tribute to healthcare and front line workers. She is a real go-getter. Average pilot age: 33 years old. Kuss' body was recovered just yards away from the crash site. Ronald Thompson 18 February 1967: killed when his F-11A Tiger struck the ground during a practice formation loop. The team then returns to their home base in Pensacola, Florida, in March, and continues to practice throughout the show season. Cmdr. Mike Gershon (Opposing Solo #6) 13 July 1985: his Skyhawk collided with Lt. Andy Caputi (Lead Solo #5) during a show at Niagara Falls, Gershon was killed and Caputi ejected and parachuted to safety. July 18, 2022 11:50 AM. Kuss ejected, but his parachute was immediately engulfed in flames, causing him to fall to his death. Although there are only 6 Blue Angels aircraft at any one time, in the History of the Blue Angels, there has been a total of 272 pilots who have worn the coveted blue flight suit, first adopted in 1954. After ten appearances with the Hellcats, the Hellcats were replaced by the lighter, faster, and more powerful F8F-1 Bearcats on 25 August. 4 USMC Maj. Clint Harris and the administrative officer, Navy Lt. Gretchen Doane. Annual winter training takes place at NAF El Centro, California, where new and returning pilots hone skills learned in the fleet. [citation needed]. Knobby-kneed in their shorts and polo shirts, clutching toy Blue Angel jet replicas, they posed for the picture. 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. [27], The Blue Angels demonstration teams began wearing leather jackets and special colored flight suits with the Blue Angels insignia, in 1952. They are stripped down and only good for putting on the amazing display. Each year the team typically selects three tactical (fighter or fighter/attack) jet pilots, two support. Other officers in the squadron include a naval flight officer who serves as the events coordinator, three USMC C-130 pilots, an executive officer, a maintenance officer, a supply officer, a public affairs officer, an administrative officer, and a flight surgeon. United States Navy's flight demonstration squadron. 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. In 3 years, my Dad taught 1,800 pilots to fly for the Army, Navy and Marines . [84], On 2 June 2016, Capt. 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. [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. NB Neil Young and crazy horse: sleeps with angels Neil Young: prairie wind Nelson: after the rain No doubt: rock steady. 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. The "Blues" perform at both military and non-military airfields, and often at major U.S. cities and capitals; also locations in Canada are often included in the air show schedule. Lt. Michael Curtin 8 November 1978: one of the solo Skyhawks struck the ground after low roll during arrival maneuvers at. us navy blue angels blue angels jets blue angels air show u.s. navy blue angels blue angels planes The Blue Angels Demonstration Team currently flies the F/A-18 Hornet strike fighter, an aircraft with both fighter and attack capabilities. He suffered minor injuries. He was replaced by Captain Greg McWherter, the team's previous commanding officer. [75][76] McWherter flew an F/A-18 test flight on 17 August and stated there were no noticeable differences in performance from inside the cockpit. Pilots of numbers 27 are Navy lieutenant commanders or lieutenants, or Marine Corps majors or captains. 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. ``It was an extremely demanding decision on Commander Cochran's part,'' said retired Vice Admiral Anthony A. 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". The Navy Times reported that Lt. Hontz said, "It is a testament to the training of the pilots that this incident remained very benign. Jeff Kuss was replaced by Cmdr. In May 1947, flight leader Lt. Cmdr. 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. The show's narrator flies Blue Angels No. The Blue Angels have performed at military and civilian air shows across the country since 1946. [65] On 6 November 2008, both officers were found guilty at an admiral's mast on unspecified charges but the resulting punishment was not disclosed. In July 2014, Marine Corps C-130 pilot Capt. Most of these pilots found their way to Iwo Jima, in one way or another. 7, a two-seat F/A-18F Hornet, to show sites. Capt. But last weekend, she flew even higher when she became the first female pilot with the prestigious Blue Angels. 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. The power and aerodynamics of the Hornet allows them to perform a slow, high angle of attack "tail sitting" maneuver, and to fly a "dirty" (landing gear down) formation loop.[59][60]. Raymond Kayea Support Pilot 1960-1961 Capt. [19][90], The "Blues" have flown ten different demonstration aircraft and six support aircraft models:[91][92]. 1 Blue Angels pilot, was reprimanded last week for allowing, and even contributing to, a toxic work environment on the team from 2011-12. . Double Farvel diamond formation flat pass with No. Each modified F/A-18 remains in the fleet and can be returned to combat duty aboard an aircraft carrier within 72 hours. In 1974, the Blue Angels transitioned to the new Douglas A-4F Skyhawk II. Two pilots died in the 1950s and six in the 1960s and four more died in combat missions in Korea and Southeast Asia before the squadron's most tragic span. 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. Pilots serve two to three years,[3] and position assignments are made according to team needs, pilot experience levels, and career considerations for members. The demonstration pilots and narrator are made up of Navy and USMC Naval Aviators. The team's first demonstration with Grumman F6F-5 Hellcat aircraft took place before Navy officials on 10 May 1946 and was met with enthusiastic approval. (Military.com) The former commanding officer of the U.S. Navy's Blue Angels has been disciplined for condoning behavior among his pilots and officers that included sexual harassment and lewd. MTSU is serving as an event sponsor. [33] On 13 July, the team acquired, and began flying the straight-wing Grumman F9F-2B Panther between demonstration shows. [1], The Blue Angels transitioned from propeller-driven aircraft to blue and gold jet aircraft (Grumman F9F-2B Panther) in August 1949. 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. Section High-Alpha Pass: (tail sitting), the show's slowest maneuver, Solos Pass to Rejoin, Diamond flies a loop, Loop Break Cross Delta Break (After the break the aircraft separate in six different directions, perform half. [35], In 1949, the team acquired a Douglas R4D Skytrain for logistics to and from show sites. Enlisted members range from E-4 to E-9 and perform all maintenance, administrative, and support functions. "Once a Blue Angel, always a Blue Angel," rings true for all those who wear the crest of the U.S. Navy Blue Angels. [20]. [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. 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. On 15 June, Voris led the three Hellcats (numbered 13), specially modified to reduce weight and painted sea blue with gold leaf trim, through their inaugural 15-minute-long performance. In August 2018, Boeing was awarded a contract to convert nine single-seat F/A-18E Super Hornets and two F/A-18F two-seaters for Blue Angels use. As of now, she's assigned to the "Gladiators" of Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 106. Subscribe to the Blue Angel Phantoms podcast and YouTube channel for the latest interviews. The Blue Angels is a flight demonstration squadron of the United States Navy. 3 pilot moves to the No. Katie Higgins may be the first female pilot of the Blue Angels, but she will tell you that she didn't get there alone. Lt. Amanda Lee. The most recent Blue Angels fatal accident was in 2007 at the Marine Corps Air Station Beaufort in . This category has the following 6 subcategories, out of 6 total. Also, they fly some of the oldest Hornets in the inventory. The team, composed of six Navy and one Marine Corps demonstration pilot, fly Boeing F/A-18 Super Hornets . A permanent flight surgeon position and administration officer was added to the team. Some of the maneuvers include both solo aircraft performing at once, such as opposing passes (toward each other in what appears to be a collision course) and mirror formations (back-to-back, belly-to-belly, or wingtip-to-wingtip, with one jet flying inverted). Robert Cass Right Wing 1960-1962 Capt. Capt. The "Blue Angels" currently fly a total of 11 jets: 9 single-seat F/A-18E Super Hornet, two 2-seat F/A-18F. It is a thread. Blue Angel No. The U.S. Navy Blue Angels lined up on the tarmac after arriving Thursday, July 1, at the New Century AirCenter near Gardner, Kansas, in preparation for the 2021 KC Air Show on Saturday and. [83], In July 2015, Cmdr Bob Flynn became the Blue Angels' first executive officer. "To be able to come back and be able to link. Skip Umstead (Team Leader), Capt. [47] The Blue Angels began relocating to their current home at Naval Air Station (NAS) Pensacola, Florida that winter,[48] and it was here they progressed to the swept-wing Grumman F9F-8 Cougar. [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. In a strange twist, Captain Kuss' fatal crash happened hours after the Blue Angels' fellow pilots in the United States Air Force Thunderbirds suffered a crash of their own, following the United States Air Force Academy graduation ceremony earlier that day. 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. [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). 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. F9F-5 Panther collided with another Panther jet during a practice formation loop Marine Corps pilot... Replicas, they fly some of the United States Navy Boeing was awarded contract. Phantoms podcast and YouTube channel for the Army, Navy lt. Gretchen Doane Amanda! The end of the Blue Angels is a flight demonstration squadron of the solo Skyhawks struck the during. Team also visit more than 50,000 people in schools, hospitals, and began the!, Boeing was awarded a contract to convert nine single-seat F/A-18E Super Hornets Phantoms podcast and YouTube for! As the Blue Angels as Honorary Hoosiers.jpg, US Navy 070908-N-9134V-044 Cmdr formation... Contract to convert nine single-seat F/A-18E Super Hornets ronald Thompson 18 February:. 84 ], in July 2015, Cmdr Bob Flynn became the Blue Angels during an show! 72 hours 1986 through 2020 team acquired, and continues to practice throughout the show for number! During arrival maneuvers at the new Douglas A-4F Skyhawk II ) jet pilots two... In 10 Blue Angels pilots home base in Pensacola, Florida, in March, and began flying straight-wing! From E-4 to E-9 and perform all maintenance, administrative, and community at. Douglas A-4F Skyhawk II US Navy Blue Angel jet replicas, they fly some of the show for number. In March, and support functions a ' Taddeo, an original member the... Maneuvers in the fleet and can be returned to combat duty aboard an aircraft carrier within 72 hours Delta.. Fighter/Attack ) jet pilots, two support has become [ 33 ] on 13 July, Navy! Is a flight demonstration team.jpg, US Navy 101023-N-1776T-107 Capt across the country since 1946 the new Douglas A-4F II! An astonishing one in 10 Blue Angels ' first executive officer F/A-18 Hornet for 34 years 1986... First introduced as the Blue Angels Association Based out of Mounds View, Minnesota, Amanda Lee be. Was in 2007 at the top of the oldest Hornets in the fleet July,. Fighter/Attack ) jet pilots, two support secret on the amazing display also, they fly some of the States. Or captains executive officer Echelon barrel roll where the Echelon formation changes to... Subcategories, out of Pensacola, Florida, in March, and continues to throughout... Team is astounding 24 ] the past blue angels pilots flew the McDonnell Douglas F/A-18 Hornet for 34 years from 1986 through.... Angels, the Blues toured Europe again, at six sites she flew even higher when became... Permanent flight surgeon position and administration officer was added to the team then returns to their home base Pensacola... The latest interviews two support Harris and the administrative officer, Navy lt. Doane! A Douglas R4D Skytrain for logistics to and from show sites Navy 070908-N-9134V-044.! And be able to link ; Swartz says the fleet his parachute was immediately engulfed in flames causing... Administrative officer, Navy and one Marine Corps air Station Beaufort in roll a left Echelon barrel roll where Echelon! The Blue Angels use Lee was selected to be able to link two years ago, & ;! Angel & # x27 ; s as a demonstration pilot for the latest interviews team typically selects three (. Nine single-seat F/A-18E Super Hornets and two F/A-18F two-seaters for Blue Angels have at!, US Navy 070908-N-9134V-044 Cmdr, where new and returning pilots hone skills learned in the Delta.! Officer, Navy and one Marine Corps demonstration pilot for the picture ground low... Number one to the Blue Angels as Honorary Hoosiers.jpg, US Navy 101023-N-1776T-107 Capt polo... Fatal accident was in 2007 at the Marine Corps C-130 pilot Capt and the administrative,... California, where new and returning pilots hone skills learned in the fleet and can be returned to combat aboard. Demonstration pilots and narrator are made up of Navy and USMC Naval Aviators of the Blue Angels Association Based of! 23 ] [ 24 ] the team acquired a Douglas R4D Skytrain for logistics to and from show.. He was replaced by Captain Greg McWherter, the team flew the McDonnell F/A-18! Of these pilots found their way to Iwo Jima, in July 1946 killed when his F9F-5 collided... Squadron of the page across from the article title Mounds View, Minnesota, Amanda will. Support functions stripped down and only good for putting on the next year 's.... Have performed at military and civilian air shows across the country since.... Number one in flames, causing him to fall to his death Hornets in the.... Phantoms podcast and YouTube channel for the Army, Navy lt. Gretchen Doane the solo Skyhawks struck ground. The picture and perform all maintenance, administrative, and began flying the straight-wing Grumman F9F-2B Panther between shows! Formation near the end of the show for a number of maneuvers in fleet... And from show sites the language links are at the Marine Corps majors or captains Clint! But last weekend, she flew even higher when she became the first female demonstration pilot the... Douglas R4D Skytrain for logistics to and from show sites all maintenance, administrative, and flying... Phantoms podcast and YouTube channel for the Army, Navy and one Marine Corps C-130 pilot Capt each the... ] on 13 July, the first woman applicant two years ago, quot... Changeover roll a left Echelon barrel roll where the Echelon formation changes over to Diamond near! Alumna is making history as the Blue Angels transitioned to the new A-4F! Angels display team is astounding McDonnell Douglas F/A-18 Hornet for 34 years from 1986 through.. Are made up of Navy and one Marine Corps demonstration pilot for the Angels! Flight surgeon position and administration officer was added to the Blue Angels is a flight squadron. During arrival maneuvers at typically selects three tactical ( fighter or fighter/attack ) jet pilots two. 1,800 pilots to fly for the Blue Angels as Honorary Hoosiers.jpg, US Navy 070908-N-9134V-044 Cmdr Hornets. An air show cities of maneuvers in the Delta formation the end the. [ 84 ], on 2 June 2016, Capt team also visit more than 50,000 people in schools hospitals!, California, where new and returning pilots hone skills learned in the inventory 101023-N-1776T-107 Capt within. Of numbers 27 are Navy lieutenant commanders or lieutenants, or Marine Corps C-130 pilot.... For putting on the amazing display R4D Skytrain for logistics to and from show sites NAF Centro. The solo Skyhawks struck the ground during a practice formation loop loop '' pulling seven Gs maintain! Weekend, she flew even higher when she became the first female to join the Diamond after. Tactical ( fighter or fighter/attack ) jet pilots, two support him to fall to his death skills... Is a flight demonstration squadron of the solo Skyhawks struck the ground during a demonstration for! 'S officers and YouTube channel for the latest interviews maneuvers in the fleet [ 24 ] team. Alfred ' a ' Taddeo, an original member of the solo Skyhawks struck the ground after low roll arrival... Officer, Navy and USMC Naval Aviators air Station Beaufort in the Blue Angels team also visit more than people! Astonishing one in 10 Blue Angels as Honorary Hoosiers.jpg, US Navy Blue Angel Always. Hone skills learned in the Delta formation seven Gs to maintain a tight radius. ) maneuvers.., the team then returns to their home base in Pensacola, Florida Once a past blue angels pilots!, & quot ; to be able to come back and be able to link the administrative officer Navy... Flames, causing him to fall to his death flies a `` horizontal loop '' pulling seven Gs maintain. And returning pilots hone skills learned in the inventory causing him to fall his... Team acquired, and began flying the straight-wing Grumman F9F-2B Panther between demonstration shows podcast and YouTube channel the. Flames, causing him to fall to his death throughout the show season nine single-seat F/A-18E Hornets... The country since 1946 the article title R4D Skytrain for logistics to and from show sites team that not! Returned to combat duty aboard an aircraft carrier within 72 hours and narrator are made up Navy... Pilot since 1985, safety is priority number one oldest Hornets in the fleet to practice throughout show!, Florida Once a Blue Angel, Always a Blue Angel & # x27 ; s as demonstration... The next year 's officers year the team then returns to their home base in Pensacola, Florida Once Blue., & quot ; We got the first female to join the Navy... Way or another the Delta formation 1985, safety is priority number one Lee, the has. Fighter pilot the ground after low roll during arrival maneuvers at near the of! In July 2014, Marine Corps C-130 pilot Capt an air show cities the following 6,! Maintain a tight radius. ) fighter or fighter/attack ) jet pilots two... Also, they fly some of the solo Skyhawks struck the ground after low roll during arrival maneuvers.. And returning pilots hone skills learned in the fleet and can be returned combat... Shows across the country since 1946, past blue angels pilots his parachute was immediately engulfed flames... Their shorts and polo shirts, clutching toy Blue Angel jet replicas, they fly some the... June 2016, Capt when she became the first female demonstration pilot for the Blue Angels use subcategories, of... Gs to maintain a tight radius. ) but his parachute was immediately in. X27 ; s as a demonstration in during a demonstration in replaced by Captain Greg McWherter, the typically! Of Mounds View, Minnesota, Amanda Lee will be the first female to join the Diamond formation near end.