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.. At the time, she credited Mariner for pioneering the way for women like herself in the air forces. ", "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. Lt. Amanda Lee, the first female to join the US Navy Blue Angel's as a fighter pilot. We've received your submission. 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. 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. Svetlana Shkolnikova covers Congress for Stars and Stripes. An estimated 11 million spectators watch the squadron perform every year throughout the country and in Canada. WebUS Navy 040327-N-7559C-001 The Commanding Officer for the U.S. Navy's flight demonstration team Blue Angels, CDR Russ Boss Bartlett, of Nantucket, Mass., talks to Watch What Happens! The Blue Angels serve as ambassadors of U.S. naval aviation. The Blue Angels resumed flying the Panther when they reformed following that combat deployment. Todd Royles, of Willow Grove, Pennsylvania, Navy Lt. Henry Cedeno, of Juana Diaz, Puerto Rico, Navy Lt. Monica Borza, of Virginia Beach, Virginia, Navy Lt. Kristin Toland, of Sedalia, Missouri, Navy Lt.j.g. We had an overwhelming number of applicants from all over the globe this year, said Capt. Blue Angels Douglas R5D Skymaster (National Naval Aviation Museum). 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. see less
The Blue Angels switched from flying the F/A-18 Hornet to the F/A-18E/F Super Hornet at the end of 2020. During the Korean War, the Blue Angels were disbanded in 1950 but returned a year later. 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. Lt. Cmdr. Your work environment matters and when the values of respect, integrity, honesty, and loyalty break down, so does your performance! (Cochran was the last commanding officer of Fighter Squadron 1 the Wolfpack). They transitioned to the aircraft beginning in 1954 during their first winter training carried out at Naval Air Facility El Centro, California. Blue Angels Grumman F6F Hellcats (National Naval Aviation Museum). We had an overwhelming number of applicants from all over the globe this year, Capt. 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. WebThe "Blue Angels" are the United States Navy Flight Demonstration Squadron. Naval Academy in Annapolis, Md. The squadron selected three F/A-18 demonstration pilots, a C-130 demonstration pilot, and a supply officer to replace outgoing team members. 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. 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. Greg Jones of Cary, N.C., was selected as the new Blue Angels maintenance officer. Blue Angels Grumman F11F Tiger (National Naval Aviation Museum). 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. Files are available under licenses specified on their description page. Flown by the Blue Angels for over three decades, longer than any other demonstration platform, the F/A-18 logged the first ever flight demonstrations in Russia, Romania, and Bulgaria during the 1992 show season. until 0400 est. Two new pilots, a new assistantmaintenance officer, a new events coordinator and a new flight surgeon will join the team ahead of 2021.
The swept-wing successor to the F9F Panther, the Cougar equipped the Blue Angels for only a brief time. Official U.S. Navy Photograph. Cochran later assumed command of the Blue Angels in 1994. 2023 Stars and Stripes. This year offered an exemplary group of applicants from around the fleet, making our selection process very difficult, said Cmdr. This month, Marine Katie Higgins piloted for the Blue Angels Aviation Team for the last time. Higgins was the first (and so far, only) female pilot for the second oldest aerobatic team in the world. I think, no matter what your gender is, just to be selected to be on this team is an honor, she told Fox 13 News. 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. Lt. Amanda Lee will be the first female demonstration pilot for the Blue Angels, the Navy announced Monday. The squadron selected three F/A-18 demonstration pilots, a C-130 demonstration pilot, and a supply officer to replace outgoing team members. Blue Angels Boeing F/A-18 Super Hornet performing the sneak pass during a training flight over Naval Air Station Pensacola. In August 1947, the Diamond Formation was introduced, soon followed with the Diamond Loop and the Diamond Barrel Roll. The U.S. Navy Flight Demonstration Squadron, The Blue Angels, announced officers
She first worked as an aviation electronics technician and was selected to participate in the Seaman-to-Admiral Commissioning Program. Benjamin Walborn, was added to the squad recently to take the fifth spot in the Blue Angels' flight pattern. He graduated from the United States Naval Academy in 2017. This years show concluded on July 9, at which point selections were made. Lt. Amanda Lee will soon train for the 2023 air show season. Lt. Cmdr. Captain Cochran flew over 24 missions and earned an Air Medal. [citation needed]. 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. Maintenance window scheduled to begin at February 14th 2200 est. Lee grew up in Mounds View, Minnesota and later attended the University of Minnesota at which point she decided to enlist in the Navy. He graduated from the United States Naval Academy in 2017. It began flying in air shows toward the end of the teams first season in 1946 and was the first aircraft to have the team name painted on it. He graduated from the University of North Dakota in 2012. 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. Following Air War College, Captain Cochran reported for duty as the executive officer (XO) at Fighter Squadron 1 (VF-1) Wolfpack. 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. WebThe Blue Angles pilots are there hanging out with the people, signing autographs, and telling stories. 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. Blue Angels McDonnell Douglas F-4 Phantoms (National Naval Aviation Museum). A native of Belarus, she has also reported from Moscow, Russia. 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. The Dirty Loop maneuver, introduced in 1969, allowed aircraft landing gear and flaps to be left down as they climbed directly into a loop. The team leader (#1) is the Commanding Officer and is always a Navy Commander, who may be promoted to Captain mid-tour if approved for Captain by the selection board. 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. Brian Vaught of Englewood, Colo., is the teams new events coordinator. 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. Through the 2006 season there have been 262 pilots in the squadron's history, giving the job a 10% fatality rate. 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. The most recent minority Blue Angel pilot was LCDR Keith Hoskins on the 2000 team. Captain Cochran was directly responsible for developing and grooming over 100 future naval officers for the navy and United States Marine Corps. Marine Corps C-130 demonstration pilots are required to have 1,200 flight hours and be an aircraft commander. 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. 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 061103-N-2908O-003 Lt.Cmdr. Many highly qualified Navy and Marine Corps officers submit applications to join the Blue Angels each year. 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. Image: 071014-N-5476H-721: The Blue Angels perform their Delta Formation at the Bay Air Show at Marine Corps Base Hawaii, October 14, 2007. 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. 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. This page was last edited on 2 October 2010, at 13:33. July 18, 2022 11:50 AM. 2023 NYP Holdings, Inc. All Rights Reserved, Heinz asks fans to help find sailor who survived weeks at sea on ketchup so they can buy him new boat, Chinese military orders US Navy plane to stay away from its airspace, Decorated Navy SEAL killed in free-fall parachute training accident, Pitcher set to join Phillies after Navy service change. Evaluated by the Blue Angels as a possible demonstration aircraft in 1953, the F7U Cutlass proved as unpopular with the team as it did in the fleet, where it had a reputation for being underpowered and presented challenges for maintenance personnel. Lee is assigned to the Gladiators of Strike Fighter Squadron 106. 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 Shortly after arriving at VF-124 in 1985, Captain Cochran applied for and was selected as a Blue Angels pilot. In July 1994, he was selected as the first African-American commanding officer and flight leader of the Blue Angels.[3]. With its ranks including some of the most experienced jet pilots in the Navy when the Korean War started, the team disbanded in 1950 to serve as the nucleus of Fighter Squadron 191 (VF-191), nicknamed Satans Kittens, flying combat missions from Princeton (CV-37). All structured data from the file namespace is available under the. They also represent the US Marine Corps. February 15th, DVIDS Hub works best with JavaScript enabled, Version: 89f6906e9817dc7b192edf8e8d786e2b331150b5_2023-02-27T10:21:17. All Rights Reserved. Jake Newby can be reached at [email protected] 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. Chelsea Dietlin, of Rochester Hills, Michigan. Jim Cox, of Thanks for contacting us. You must take actions and hold offenders accountable. July 18 (Reuters) - The U.S. Navys famed Blue Angels aerial demonstration team on Monday named the first female pilot in the squadrons history, the organization said. announced six new officers for the 2023 air show season, Precision and form draw crowds, and awe, at Thunder Over Michigan, Navy Week, Thunder Over Michigan airshow return to Detroit area, Gallantry: Biden presents Medal of Honor to retired Army Col. 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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. On this Wikipedia the language links are at the top of the page across from the article title. A fatal crash at Naval Air Station Whiting Field in 1950 ended the use of Beetle Bomb as part of flight demonstrations. 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. Blue Angels Douglas A-4 Skyhawk (NA 330-CFD-DN-SC-85-00472). DIVE! [This quote needs a citation]. The new C-130 demonstration pilot will be Marine Corps Capt. 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. His next assignment was as an instructor pilot at the F-14 Replacement Air Group Squadron (RAG) VF-124. His awards include the Joseph Galloway Award for Distinguished Reporting on the military, a first prize from Investigative Reporters & Editors and the Combat Infantryman Badge. 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.