Plane cost: $21 million each. Annual winter training takes place at NAF El Centro, California, where new and returning pilots hone skills learned in the fleet. Drone flew dangerously close to Blue Angels FAA investigating; fines possible but infrequently imposed May 21, 2020 By Jim Moore Drone pilots were as outraged as the rest of us by the near-midair collision between the U.S. Navy Blue Angels and what's believed to have been a small consumer quadcopter. . 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, talks with Jimmie White I, father of fallen Arkansas State Trooper Jimmie White II prior to the dedication of the Jimmie White II Memorial Park in Jacksonville, Ar.jpg, US Navy 060428-N-7517M-012 Naval Recruiting District Atlanta Sailors recite the oath of enlistment led by Blue Angels pilot, Lt. Anthony Walley.jpg, US Navy 070831-N-3271W-002 Lt. Cmdr. These lithographs are given to individuals . This demonstration not only was the last JATO performance of the squadron, but also the final JATO use of the U.S. Marine Corps. My objective was to beat the Army Air Corps. 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. Naval Air Forces, walks with members of the U.S. Navy flight demonstration s.jpg, US Navy 110416-N-IR859-030 The Blue Angels performed at the joint reserve base as part of the 2011 show season and in celebration of the Centennial.jpg, US Navy 110417-N-IR859-087 The Blue Angels performed at the joint reserve base as part of the 2011 show season and in celebration of the Centennial.jpg, US Navy 110417-N-YM440-006 Aviation Support Equipment Technician 2nd Class Jeff Harper, assigned to the U.S. Navy flight demonstration team, the Bl.jpg, US Navy 110506-N-ZL585-030 Lt. Jason Smith, center, and Hospital Corpsman 1st Class John Mocek visit with young patients at Children's Hospital New.jpg, US Navy 110614-N-BA418-014 Aviation Electronics Technician 1st Class Curt Metzger, from St. Petersburg, Fla., assigned to the U.S. Navy flight demo.jpg, US Navy 110614-N-BA418-053 Logistics Specialist 2nd Class Andrew Schweitzer, from Orlando, Fla., assigned to the U.S. Navy flight demonstration squ.jpg, US Navy 110626-N-IR859-042 Capt. Navy Commander Anthony Less became the squadron's first "commanding officer" and "flight leader". The team currently flies the Boeing F/A-18 Super Hornet. The flight surgeon provides team medical services, evaluates demonstration maneuvers from the ground, and participates in each post-flight debrief. Jim Tomaszeski, right wing pilot assigned to the U.S. Navy flight demonstration squadron, the Blue Angels.jpg, US Navy 060429-N-4657D-025 Lt. Anthony Walley, the number two pilot for the Navy Flight Demonstration Squadron signs autographs.jpg, US Navy 061103-N-2908O-001 Lt. Cmdr. THE BLUE ANGELS TEAM A total of 16 officers voluntarily serve with the Blue Angels. 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. Craig Olson.jpg, US Navy 080907-N-0411D-023 Blue Angel Plane Captains run from the runway as part of the U.S. Navy flight demonstration team The Blue Angels performance at The Great State of Maine Air Show.jpg, US Navy 090502-N-9712C-001 Lt. Manuel Sanchez, a maintenance officer assigned to the Blue Angels, administers the oath of enlistment to delayed entry program recruits from the New Orleans area.jpg, US Navy 090530-N-1928O-163 Vice Adm. Dirk J. Debbink, Chief of the Navy Reserve, receives a gift of appreciation from Marine Corps Maj. Drew Hess, and crewmembers of the Blue Angels C-130 Hercules.jpg, US Navy 090829-N-1928O-113 A Sailor assigned to the U.S. Navy flight demonstration squadron, the Blue Angels, prepares for take-off during the Defenders of Freedom Air Show at Offutt Air Force Base as part of Omaha Navy Week.jpg, US Navy 090916-N-6220J-003 Cmdr. 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 [86], In response to the Coronavirus outbreak, the Blue Angels flew over multiple US cities as a tribute to healthcare and front line workers. In July 1964, the Blue Angels participated in the Aeronaves de Mexico Anniversary Air Show over Mexico City, Mexico, before an estimated crowd of 1.5million people. Greg McWherter, commanding officer and flight leader of the U.S. Navy flight demonstration squadron, the Blue Ange.jpg, US Navy 111015-N-IR859-051 Pilots assigned to the U.S. Navy flight demonstration squadron, the Blue Angels, greet each other after the demonstratio.jpg, US Navy 111016-N-IR859-004 Aviation Ordnanceman 1st Class Evan Bradbury, crew chief for the U.S. Navy flight demonstration squadron, the Blue Angel.jpg, US Navy 111016-N-IR859-046 Lt. Cmdr. [8] The No. Lt. The Diamond, in tight formation and usually at lower speeds (400mph), performs maneuvers such as formation loops, rolls, and transitions from one formation to another. Most of these pilots found their way to Iwo Jima, in one way or another. Katie Higgins may be the first female pilot of the Blue Angels, but she will tell you that she didn't get there alone. In 1961-1963 the Blue Angels performed for the first time formation landing of six planes in a Delta formation. [22] They changed their name to the Blue Angels after seeing an advertisement for the New York nightclub The Blue Angel, also known as The Blue Angel Supper Club, in the New Yorker Magazine. [33] In 1953, the team traded its Sky Train for a Curtiss R5C Commando. The Solos join the Diamond Formation near the end of the show for a number of maneuvers in the Delta Formation. Its mission is to support wounded veterans who proudly volunteered to serve our nation and preserve our freedom. Now hear from the pilots & crew that were a part of this incredible history as they share their stories. The investigation also cited weather and pilot fatigue as additional causes of the crash. Greg McWherter, the commanding officer of the U.S Navy flight demonstration squadron, the Blue Angels, and Lt. Jim.jpg, US Navy 101023-N-1776T-136 Al Taddeo, the oldest living former pilot of the U.S Navy flight demonstration squadron, the Blue Angels, gives a thumbs.jpg, US Navy 101122-N-0092J-002 Lt. Todd Royles, events coordinator of the U.S. Navy flight demonstration squadron, the Blue Angels, and Lt. Dave Tickle.jpg, US Navy 101122-N-0092J-010 Lt. Todd Royles, the events coordinator before leaving for preseason visits. Voris was again tasked with assembling the team (he was the first of only two commanding officers to lead them twice). NORTH DAKOTA -- An Allegiant Airlines pilot declared a fuel emergency and had to land at a North Dakota airport even though the airport was closed for the Blue Angels practicing for their weekend . The pilots of the F/A-18 Hornet were not required to wear and do not wear g-suits. Coming out of Mounds View, Minnesota, Amanda Lee will be a F/A-18E/F Demonstration Pilot during the 2023 show season. . This plane also let them perform new maneuvers like the famous Dirty Loop. [84], On 2 June 2016, Capt. Average pilot age: 33 years old. Marine Corps C-130 demonstration pilots are required to have 1,200 flight hours and be an aircraft commander. Frank Weisser to finish out the 2016 and 2017 seasons. During their 6 Low transition/Immelman, Diamond 360 Aircraft 1-4 in their signature 18-inch wingtip-to-canopy diamond formation, Diamond Roll entire diamond formation rolls as a single entity, Opposing Inverted to Inverted Rolls 5 and 6, Diamond Aileron Roll all four diamond jets perform simultaneous. [33] On 13 July, the team acquired, and began flying the straight-wing Grumman F9F-2B Panther between demonstration shows. That same year, on October 25, the Blue Angels were reactivated and resumed demonstrations in the newer F9F-5 Panther. 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. On 25 October 1951, the Blues were ordered to re-activate as a flight demonstration team, and reported to NAS Corpus Christi, Texas. The team with an additional fifth pilot, relocated to Naval Air Station (NAS) Corpus Christi, Texas. To prevent blood from pooling in their legs, Blue Angel pilots have developed a method for tensing their muscles to prevent blood from pooling in their lower extremities, possibly rendering them unconscious. The team, composed of six Navy and one Marine Corps demonstration pilot, fly Boeing F/A-18 Super Hornets. 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. He was replaced by Captain Greg McWherter, the team's previous commanding officer. Pilots of numbers 27 are Navy lieutenant commanders or lieutenants, or Marine Corps majors or captains. [1], The Blue Angels transitioned from propeller-driven aircraft to blue and gold jet aircraft (Grumman F9F-2B Panther) in August 1949. Commander John Magda; he was killed in action on 8 March 1951.[41]. Only six are used during demonstration flights (normally single-seat versions) and the rest are used as spares, if one of . 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. 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. In 1967, the Blues toured Europe again, at six sites. Capt. Bob Clarke replaced Butch Voris as the leader of the team. The Navy's investigation found that Capt. [83], In July 2015, Cmdr Bob Flynn became the Blue Angels' first executive officer. The cause of death was blunt force trauma to the head. 2 pilot Lt. Cmdr. The team flies a "practice" airshow at the show site on Friday. Each modified F/A-18 remains in the fleet and can be returned to combat duty aboard an aircraft carrier within 72 hours. Don Bentley 8 March 1973: all three survived a multi-aircraft mid-air collision during practice over Superstition Mountain, near El Centro, California. Lt. Cdr. The 83 litho features the Blues in the A-4 Skyhawk flying past Diamond Head, Honolulu, Hawaii.