MOUNDS VIEW, Minn. For the first time in the history of the famed U.S. Navy flight demonstration squadron Blue Angels, a woman has been named as a pilot for the team. This page was last edited on 3 February 2023, at 21:38. The static display contains an A4 jet painted in the Blue Angel's traditional colors of blue and gold and a dedication plaque with the inscription: IN HONOR OF COMMANDER DONNIE COCHRAN U.S. NAVY 1976 SAVANNAH STATE COLLEGE/NROTC GRADUATE THE FIRST BLACK NAVAL AVIATOR TO FLY WITH THE BLUE ANGELS FLIGHT DEMONSTRATION TEAM THIS AIRCRAFT IS ON LOAN FROM THE NATIONAL MUSEUM OF NAVAL AVIATION AT PENSACOLA, FLORIDA. The history and Technology of Submarines (Grade 5), To the Ends of the Earth and Beyond (Grades 5-8), The Date that Lives in Infamy: Pearl Harbor (High School), Codes and Signals: Breaking the Spy Games of World War II and Vietnam, Damage Control Mission Brief: (Blue Navy) A Study Based on the Battle of Okinawa, Damage Control Mission Brief: (Green Navy) A Study Based on the Battle of Okinawa, Family Art Workshop: Kites and Observation, Talk: The Washington Navy Yard During the Civil War, A Conversation with Historians Dr. Regina Akers and Dr. Eddie Valentin: From Benjamin Drummond to Doris Miller: Race, Identity, and the Struggle Against Discrimination in the U.S. Navy, Virtual Book Talk: When Giants Ruled the Sky: the Brief Reign and Tragic Demise of the American Rigid Airship, with John J. Geoghegan and Curator, Gordon Calhoun. What this meant for the 1986 team, they would get an extra year on the team. James Haley, of Canadian, Texas. An airplane nicknamed the Tinker Toy by pilots because of its small size, the A-4 contrasted sharply with its predecessor. Theodore J. Steelman, assigned to the U.S. Navy flight demonstration team, the Blue Angels, awaits the cue to exit his F-A-18A Hornet.jpg, US Navy 050507-N-0295M-052 The pilots assigned to the U.S. Navy Blue Angels flight demonstration team, line up at parade rest prior to the start of their demonstration.jpg, US Navy 050916-N-0295M-186 A crew chief assigned to the U.S. Navy flight demonstration team, the Blue Angels, performs a post engine run-up inspection on the top surfaces of one of the Blue Angel's F-A-18A Hornets.jpg, US Navy 060514-N-8374E-002 Aviation Maintenance Administrationman 2nd Class Desiree Phillips, assigned to Maintenance Control on the Blue Angels enlisted team, autographs memorabilia for enthusiastic young fans.jpg, US Navy 060514-N-8374E-003 Members of the Blue Angels enlisted team autograph memorabilia for enthusiastic young fans.jpg, US Navy 060522-N-5390M-001 Members of the U.S. Navy's flight demonstration team, the Blue Angels, attend a dedication ceremony at Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium in Annapolis.jpg, US Navy 060522-N-5390M-002 Members of the U.S. Navy's flight demonstration team, the Blue Angels, attend a dedication ceremony at Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium in Annapolis.jpg, US Navy 060522-N-5390M-003 Members of the U.S. Navy's flight demonstration team, the Blue Angels, attend a dedication ceremony at Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium in Annapolis.jpg, US Navy 060813-F-7049H-045 Crew chiefs with the United States Naval Flight Demonstration Squadron stand at attention as the Blue Angels prepare to disembark on their aerial performance.jpg, US Navy 060909-N-2218T-132 Blue Angel pilot Lt. Cdr. That means that they have been, and are, fighter pilots. WebMembers of the 2013 U.S. Navy Blue Angels are: Flying Blue Angel No.1, Commander Thomas Frosch, USN (Commanding Officer/Flight Leader) Flying Blue Angel No.2, There are no other nineteen pilots, just Tyler Joseph and Josh Dun. The name actually comes from a play by Arthur Miller called All my Sons, which others have mentioned in their answers as well. He was studying for theater when he encountered the words twenty one pilots written plainly, not numerically. He decided this as the band name. This year offered an exemplary group of applicants from around the fleet, making our selection process very difficult, said Cmdr. Greg McWherter, flight leader and commanding officer of the U.S. Navy flight demonstration squadron, the Blue Ange.jpg, US Navy 110702-N-VO219-002 Lt. C.J. Squadron, The Blue Angels, announced officers Strategic Captain Cochran made one deployment on board the USS Ranger (CV-61). Deo Harrypersaud, before taking a ride in a Blue Angel.jpg, US Navy 080203-N-9641C-002 Members of the U.S. Navy flight demonstration squadron, The Blue Angels, are on the field during the third quarter of Super Bowl XLII (cropped).jpg, US Navy 080203-N-9641C-002 Members of the U.S. Navy flight demonstration squadron, The Blue Angels, are on the field during the third quarter of Super Bowl XLII.jpg, US Navy 080808-N-3271W-037 Lt. Cmdr. Naval Air Forces, is strapped into an F-A-18 Hornet, assigned to the U.S. Na.jpg, US Navy 110215-N-IR859-069 Vice Adm. Allen G. Myers, commander of U.S. The last propeller-driven aircraft flown by the Blue Angels, the F8F Bearcat possessed tremendous power along with excellent maneuverability. Cochran at the dedication ceremony for the A-4 static display on the Campus of Savannah State University on May 10, 1991. The teams new flight surgeon will be Lt. Philippe Warren of Williamsburg, Va., a flight surgeon for the Fighting Griffins of Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 266. Marine Corps C-130 demonstration pilots are required to have 1,200 flight hours and be an aircraft commander. For Captain Cochran, it meant another year flying the number 3 jet in 1987 and a normal rotation to the number 4 jet as slot pilot in 1988. The Texan was named "Beetle Bomb" and served until 1950. Donnie L. Cochran is a former United States Navy naval aviator and was the first African-American aviator to be selected to the Flight Demonstration Squadron Blue Angels in 1986. | View Image Page, PENSACOLA, Florida (NNS) The U.S. Navy Flight Demonstration Squadron, The Blue Angels, announced officers selected for the 2022 air show season July 10. The only aircraft operated concurrently by both the Blue Angels and the U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds, the F-4 was the platform the team took to the far corners of the globe, touring South America, Asia, and Europe during the four years the Blue Angels operated the powerful aircraft. WebCurrent Blue Angel Pilots L Lieutenant Amy Tomlinson Lieutenant Ben Walborn Lieutenant Commander Frank Weisser Lieutenant Jim Tomaszeski Lieutenant Robert Kurrle, Jr M WebThe "Blue Angels" are the United States Navy Flight Demonstration Squadron. F/A-18 demonstration pilots: Navy Lt. Cmdr. She graduated from Old Dominion University in 2013. A second plaque was later added which bears the inscription: |IN HONOR OF COMMANDER DONNIE COCHRAN, U.S. NAVY THE FIRST BLACK NAVAL AVIATOR TO COMMAND THE BLUE ANGELS FLIGHT DEMONSTRATION TEAM. Jim Cox, of Cochran completed flight school, earned his Navy Wings of Gold in 1978 after completing basic jet training in the T-2C Buckeye, and advanced jet training in the TA-4J Skyhawk. see less 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. Known for its nimble performance, the Skyhawk equipped the Blue Angels during the 19741986 show seasons, the latter the 40th anniversary of the demonstration squadrons establishment. Introduced in 1962, the Double Farvel maneuver had both the flight leader and slot pilots fly inverted. Commander Greg McWherter (Head of the Blue Angels) Lieutenant James Tomaszeski. Captain Cochran flew over 24 missions and earned an Air Medal. New team members will report to the Blue Angels in September for a two-month turnover period before beginning a rigorous five-month training program at the teams home base of Naval Air Station in Pensacola, Fla., and the Naval Air Facility in El Centro, Calif. Officers typically serve two to three years with the team, according to the Blue Angels. Greg McWherter, commanding officer of the U.S. Navy flight demonstration squadron, the Blue Angels, is interviewed by a TV.jpg, US Navy 100321-A-4584J-010 Gen. David H. Petraeus, commander of U.S. Central Command, center right, and Chief of Army Staff of the Pakistan army Gen. Ashfaq Kayani, pose with members of the U.S. Navy flight demonstration team,.jpg, US Navy 100516-N-8732C-274 Secretary of the Navy Ray Mabus congratulates Cmdr. Lee is assigned to the Gladiators of Strike Fighter Squadron 106. 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. There have been female and racial minority staff officers as official Blue Angel members, in support of the Blue Angels recruiting for the Navy and Marine Corps. Captain Cochran retired from the U.S. Navy with over 24 years of leadership and aviation expertise. Blue Angels McDonnell Douglas F-4 Phantoms (National Naval Aviation Museum). I first served as an Enlisted Sailor. Samuel Petko of Osceola, Ind. 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. 66 PENSACOLA, Florida (NNS) The U.S. Navy Flight Demonstration Squadron, The Blue Angels, announced officers selected for the 2022 air show season The number 7 pilot narrates for a year, and then typically flies Opposing and then Lead Solo the following two years, respectively. Two new pilots, a new assistantmaintenance officer, a new events coordinator and a new flight surgeon will join the team ahead of 2021. All team members, both officer and enlisted, pilots and staff officers, come from the ranks of regular Navy and United States Marine Corps units. He graduated from the University of North Dakota in 2012. Pilots serve two to three years, and position assignments are made according to team needs, pilot experience levels, and career considerations for members. During this deployment, the Iranians took over the US Embassy and the USS Nimitz was diverted to the Indian Ocean. With these fantastic new additions to the Blue Angels team for 2022, we are all well equipped to head into our next show season. 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. Graduated from Savannah State College in June 1976, earning a degree in civil engineering technology and commission in the United States Navy. Cochran earned a civil engineering degree from Savannah State College, now known as Savannah State University, Savannah, Georgia, in 1976, where he was a member of the NROTC program. Lee follows Marine Maj. Katie Higgins, who was the first woman to fly with the Blue Angels. Cochran was assigned to fly the RF-8G Crusader due to his excellent performance during carrier qualification as a student pilot. Photo By Petty Officer 2nd Class Cody Hendrix | The demonstration pilots and narrator are made up of Navy and USMC Naval Aviators. The US Navy Flight Demonstration Squadron, the Blue Angels, selected six new officers to join the team for the for the 2023 air show season. July 18, 2022 11:50 AM. The Navy annually counts 16 officers who volunteer for the team and theyre supported by nearly 100 enlisted sailors and Marines. Cochran led the team for 16 months until May 1996. in May 1996, Cochran made the decision to step down as flight leader[This quote needs a citation] to minimize the safety risks to the team and spectators. Blue Angels Grumman F9F Panthers (National Naval Aviation Museum). Governor of Indiana presents a certificate declaring the Blue Angels as Honorary Hoosiers.jpg, US Navy 070908-N-9134V-044 Cmdr. Naval Air Forces, is strapped into an F-A-18 Hornet, assigned to the U.S. Na.jpg, US Navy 110215-N-IR859-015 Vice Adm. Allen G. Myers, commander of U.S. He is a 2014 graduate of the University of Virginia. They also represent the US Marine Corps. The "Blue Angels" currently fly a total of 11 jets: 9 single-seat F/A-18E Super Hornet, two 2-seat F/A-18F. Only six are used during demonstration flights (normally single-seat versions) and the rest are used as spares, if one of main aircraft is unserviceable and cannot be repaired before the show begins. The closest the diamond will fly to each other is 18 inches during the Diamond 360 The Blue Angels appointed its first female jet pilot to join the squadron on Monday. The squadron made one deployment on board the USS Ranger to the Persian Gulf and flew missions over Southern Iraq enforcing the southern no fly zone. As the U.S. Navys flight demonstration squadron, the Blue Angels mission is to showcase the skill and teamwork of the Navy and Marine Corps through flight demonstrations and community outreach. He was the first African American pilot to fly with the Blue Angels and flew for three seasons (1986-87-88). Rushes are asked to tell a joke prior to the brief, and graded by the team as part of the rigorous selection process. After serving with the Blues, members return to fleet assignments. The venerable transport aircraft that made headlines with its role in the Berlin Airlift, the R5D Skymaster was among the aircraft used by the Blue Angels as a logistics aircraft transporting ground-support personnel to show sites. Lt. Cmdr. The famed squadron selected two F/A-18E/F demonstration pilots, an events coordinator, a C-130J Super Hercules pilot, an aviation maintenance officer and a flight Tucker said that the investigation is not linked to the Jan. 22 emergency landing of an unnamed Blue Angels pilot at El Centro. 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 served in the Marine Corps and the Pennsylvania Army National Guard. -Marine Corps Maj. Joshua Soltan, of Spokane, Washington, is a C-130 Hercules pilot currently assigned to Marine Aerial Refueler Transport Squadron 252. [4] He is also a graduate of the Air War College in Montgomery, Alabama, and earned a master's degree in human resource management from Troy State University. They are flying the F/A-18 Hornet aircraft. The Blue Angels serve as ambassadors of U.S. naval aviation. Brian Kesselring, of Fargo, North Dakota, Navy Lt. Katlin Forster, of Scottsdale, Arizona, Navy Cmdr. She's home:Welcome home: New Fat Albert C-130 J Super Hercules arrives in Pensacola, "Not being able to fly across the country and execute our mission definitely affects some of ourbest practices, if you will, and some of the training when it comes to the refinement from the demos," Kesselring said Friday. She previously worked with the House Foreign Affairs Committee as an American Political Science Association Congressional Fellow and spent four years as a general assignment reporter for The Record newspaper in New Jersey and the USA Today Network. On January 27th, 1973, CDR Harley Hall was shot down over Vietnam. The Blue Angels on Monday announced their official officer and pilot lineup for the 2021 air show season. 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. Introduced in 1962, the Double Farvel maneuver had both the flight leader The Navy began to reduce the number of F-14 Squadrons out of the fleet and VF-1 was disestablished. He is an aviation maintenance officer assigned to Pre-Commissioning Unit John F. Kennedy and graduated from Elon University in 2008. Through the 2006 season there have been 262 pilots in the squadron's history, giving the job a 10% fatality rate. Lt. Cmdr. During his assignment at Air War College, Captain Cochran earned a diploma in International Security and a Masters in Human Resource Management from Troy State University. On Armed Forces Day in May 1954, the flight team performed for the first time with the U.S. Air Force's newly formed demonstration, the Thunderbirds. (Paul Archer/U.S. -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. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Timothy Schumaker). Michael Brochstein/Sipa USA. On May 10, 1991, Savannah State University dedicated a static display A-4 aircraft on the university's campus in honor of Cochran's achievements. Chelsea Dietlin, of Rochester Hills, Michigan. Brian Kesselring, the commanding officer and flight leader of the team. Click on red bar for more info. This work, Blue Angels Announce 2022 Officers, by Member: 1321594, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright. 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. The new team members will officially begin their training for the 2022 show season following the Blue Angels Homecoming Air Show at Naval Air Station Pensacola, Nov. 6. It was also while flying the Bearcat that the Blue Angels introduced their enduring diamond formation. His next assignment was as an instructor pilot at the F-14 Replacement Air Group Squadron (RAG) VF-124. During his three years as a demonstration pilot Captain Cochran flew over 1,500 hours and over 240 airshows. In November 1994, Cochran assumed command as the first African American commanding officer and flight leader of the Blue Angels at a ceremony at National Naval Aviation Museum at Naval Air Station Pensacola, Florida. In 1986, Captain Cochran flew the left wingman position flying the number 3 jet in the A-4F Skyhawk. Brian Kesselring, commanding officer and flight leader of the Blue Angels. The History of Blue Angels Aircraft: A Photo Essay. Following his first operational deployment flying the Crusader, the navy began phasing the RF-8G out of service and the F-14A Tomcat was assuming the photoreconnaissance mission. Police identify 3 victims, their killer and 'hero' bystand Canadian teacher with size-Z prosthetic breasts placed on paid leave, What's next for Buster Murdaugh after dad's murder conviction, life sentence, US home prices just did something they haven't done since 2012, Kristen Doute supports Ariana Madix amid mutual ex Tom Sandovals scandal, Celeb-loved jewelry brand Dorsey drops dazzling new styles, White Lotus actor jokes about being hit on following shows success, Undertaker transforms coffin into barbecue grill, Tom Sizemore And The Dangerous Burden of Desperation, Kellyanne Conway and George Conway to divorce. In 1958, the Back-to-Back Pass and the first six-plane Delta maneuvers were added to the performance. The first performances simulated World War II battles with an SNJ-5 Texan repainted to resemble a Japanese A6M Zero. 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.. -LT Christopher Kapuschansky, of Yorktown, Virginia, is an F/A-18 pilot currently assigned to the Gladiators of Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 106. Her relief on Monday raised eyebrows because the Air Force had announced only two weeks earlier that Kotnick would take command of the Vipers. ", "Former Blue Angels pilot tells what inspired him to fly", https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Donnie_Cochran&oldid=1137292325, African-American United States Navy personnel, BLP articles lacking sources from November 2015, Articles with unsourced statements from June 2015, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License 3.0. Svetlana Shkolnikova covers Congress for Stars and Stripes. 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. Blue Angels Douglas A-4 Skyhawk (NA 330-CFD-DN-SC-85-00472). This years show concluded on July 9, at which point selections were made. Lt. Cmdr. She is currently assigned to the Gladiators of Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 106, which is stationed at Naval Air Station Oceana in Virginia Beach, Virginia. Alfred 'A' Taddeo, an original member of the U.S. Navy flight demonstration team.jpg, US Navy 101023-N-1776T-107 Capt. In addition to the recognized demonstration aircraft, the Blue Angels have operated other aircraft for logistics support and some that filled short-lived roles or did not meet the teams exacting standards. The swept-wing successor to the F9F Panther, the Cougar equipped the Blue Angels for only a brief time. Blue Angels Grumman F6F Hellcats (National Naval Aviation Museum). "And because of that, we're going to retain a little more experience going into the 2021 season, just to make sure that we have a good pass-down within the team, and we retain that high level of excellence we've come to enjoy.". WebFun facts about the Blue Angels: The first air show was performed at Craig Field, Jacksonville, Florida, on June 15, 1946. -Marine Corps Maj. Joshua Soltan, of Spokane, Washington, is a C-130 Hercules pilot currently assigned to Marine Aerial Refueler Transport Squadron 252. Mariner that equal opportunity wont be in our vocabulary in future generations.. Watch What Happens! 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. Lieutenant The first female Blue Angel flight surgeon was LT Tamara Schnurr, as a member of the 2001 team. Following his department head tour, Captain Cochran was screened to command of an operational F-14 squadron and was selected to attend the Air War College, at Maxwell Air Force Base, Montgomery, Alabama. -LT Griffin Stangel, of Madison, Wisconsin, is an F/A-18 pilot currently assigned to the Flying Eagles of Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 122. Blue Angels Vought F7U Cutlass jet fighters (National Naval Aviation Museum). read more, Photo By Petty Officer 2nd Class Cody Hendrix | The U.S. Navy Flight Demonstration Squadron, The Blue Angels, announced officers selected for the 2022 air show season July 10. Benjamin Walborn, was added to the squad recently to take the fifth spot in the Blue Angels' flight pattern. DVIDS/US Navy. Thanks for contacting us. This category has the following 6 subcategories, out of 6 total. C-130 Demonstration Pilot: For this reason, Cochran was reassigned to Fighter Squadron 111 (VF-111) Sundowners for 29 days as XO before assuming command of the squadron as CO. Kevin Davis, a native of Pittsfield, Mass.jpg, US Navy 070425-N-7559C-002 Lt. Cmdr. An estimated 11 million spectators watch the squadron perform every year throughout the country and in Canada. They transitioned to the aircraft beginning in 1954 during their first winter training carried out at Naval Air Facility El Centro, California. Jake Newby can be reached at jnewby@pnj.com or 850-435-8538. pilots and officers originally announced for the 2020 and 2021 seasons in July 2019, Welcome home: New Fat Albert C-130 J Super Hercules arrives in Pensacola, Four of the five were announced by the Blue Angels in July, Your California Privacy Rights / Privacy Policy.
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