Ever wondered how to become a Blue Angels pilot or support staff? Here's your answer.
The Blue Angels' 2024 air show season marks the 78th year since the U.S. Navy flight demonstration team began its mission in 1946 to "inspire a culture of excellence and service to country."
Over the decades, thousands of men and women who have served the U.S. Navy and Marine Corps have taken up the mantle to continue that mission.
Today, there are 158 active duty sailors and marines who are currently aiding the team. According to the team's website, the enlisted maintenance and support team is comprised of approximately 100 sailors and marines.
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There are alternating crews of about 45 team members who travel with the Blue Angels from show to show throughout each season.
Here's what to know about Blue Angel pilots and their support teams.
Blue Angel pilots 2024
#1 Cmdr. Alexander Armatas — Cmdr. Alexander P. Armatas is a native of Skaneateles, New York. He graduated from the United States Naval Academy in 2002 with a Bachelor of Science in aerospace engineering.
#2 Lt. Cmdr. Jack Keilty — Lt. Cmdr. Jack Keilty, is a native of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, where he attended Mount Saint Mary Catholic High School, graduating in 2005. He attended the Virginia Military Institute in Lexington, Virginia, where he lettered in football and earned a Bachelor's Degree in history in 2010. Upon graduation he was commissioned an ensign in the United States Navy and reported to Naval Air Station Pensacola, Florida, for Aviation Preflight Indoctrination (API)."
#3 Lt. Wesley Perkins — Lt. James Wesley Perkins is a native from Pordenone, Italy, grew up in Georgetown, Texas, and graduated from Hutto High School in 2009. He attended Texas A&M University graduating with a degree in ocean engineering in 2014. Perkins commissioned as an ensign through the Reserve Officers' Training Corps.
#4 Lt. Cmdr. Amanda Lee — Lt. Cmdr. Amanda Lee is a native of Mounds View, Minnesota. She graduated from Irondale High School in 2004, where she competed in soccer, ice hockey and swimming. While attending the University of Minnesota Duluth, Amanda enlisted in the U.S. Navy as an aviation electronics technician (AT) and reported to her first command, VFA-136 "Knighthawks." She was selected to commission as a pilot through the Seaman-to-Admiral (STA-21) commissioning program in 2009. The following year, Lee attended the Naval Science Institute (NSI) for officer training in Newport, Rhode Island, and simultaneously began her studies at Old Dominion University in Norfolk, Virginia, where she received a Bachelor of Science in biochemistry.
#5 Lt. Cmdr. Griffin Stangel — Lt. Cmdr. Griffin Stangel is a native of Madison, Wisconsin, and graduated from Madison West High School in 2008. He attended the University of North Dakota in Grand Forks, North Dakota, and graduated with a Bachelor of Science in air traffic control in 2012. Immediately after graduation, he reported to Newport, Rhode Island, where he received his commission as an ensign in the United States Navy after completion of Officer Candidate School.
#6 Cdr. Thomas Zimmerman — Cmdr. Thomas Zimmerman is a native of Baltimore, Maryland. He graduated from St. Paul's School in 2004 lettering in football, wrestling and lacrosse. After graduation, he attended the United States Naval Academy Preparatory School in Newport, Rhode Island, for one year prior to attending the United States Naval Academy in Annapolis, Maryland. He lettered in lacrosse at both schools and graduated from the Naval Academy with a Bachelor of Science in ocean engineering, earning his commission as an Ensign in the U.S. Navy in 2009.
#7 Lt. Connor O'Donnell (Narrator) — Lt. Connor O’Donnell is a native of Freeport, Maine, and graduated from Yarmouth High School in 2011. Following high school, he attended the United States Naval Academy and graduated in 2015 with a Bachelor’s Degree in operations research."
#8 Lt. Cmdr. Brian Vaught — Lt. Cmdr. Brian Vaught is a native of Englewood, Colorado. He graduated from Cherry Creek High School in 2004, where he lettered in lacrosse. After high school he attended the University of Colorado in Boulder, Colorado, where he graduated with a Bachelor of Science in business administration. Upon graduation, Brian worked in professional sports marketing and promotions, eventually attending Officer Candidate School in Newport, Rhode Island, where he earned his commission as an ensign in the U.S. Navy in 2011."
Fat Albert pilots 2024
Lead C-130 "Fat Albert" pilot Maj. Josh Soltan — Maj. Joshua Soltan is a native of Spokane, Washington where he graduated from Central Valley High School in 2006. In 2010, he graduated from Central Washington University with a Bachelor of Science in Aviation and a Minor in Business Administration. In August of 2010, he earned his commission as a Second Lieutenant in the United States Marine Corps through the Platoon Leaders Course program. He reported to Officer Selection Office, 12th Recruiting District Seattle, Washington as an Assistant Officer Recruiter. In 2011, he transferred to The Basic School at Camp Barrett, Quantico, Virginia to complete training.
C-130 "Fat Albert" pilot Capt. Isaac Becker — Isaac Van Zandt Becker is a native of Austin, Texas. While a student at Colorado College in Colorado Springs, Colorado, Isaac applied for the Platoon Leaders Course and attended Officer Candidate School in May of 2016. After graduating from Colorado College in May of 2017 with a degree in Geology, Isaac commissioned as a 2nd Lt. in the United States Marine Corps where he then received orders to report to The Basic School (TBS) in Quantico, Virginia. As an aviation contract, 2nd Lt. Becker graduated from Fox Company, TBS in March of 2018.
C-130 "Fat Albert" pilot Capt. Sam Petko — Captain Samuel Petko is a native of Osceola, Indiana. He graduated from Penn High School in 2009, where he wrestled and played rugby. After high school, he attended Indiana University, graduating with a Bachelor of Science in business administration. In 2016, he earned a commission as a Second Lieutenant in the United States Marine Corps through Officer Candidate School and reported to The Basic School aboard Marine Corps Base Quantico, Virginia.
Blue Angels 2024 new officers
F/A-18E/F Demonstration Pilots:
Lt. Cmdr. Jack Keilty from Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.
Lt. Wes Perkins from Georgetown, Texas.
Lt. Connor O’Donnell from Freeport, Maine.
C-130J Demonstration Pilot (Fat Albert):
Capt. Isaac Becker from Austin, Texas, was previously assigned to Marine Transport Squadron 152 (VMR-152). He graduated from Colorado College in 2017.
Maintenance Officer:
Lt. Natalia Luchetti, from Mayaguez, Puerto Rico, was previously assigned to Special Projects Patrol Squadron TWO (VPU-2). She graduated from Thomas Edison University.
Supply Officer:
Lt.j.g. Mara Mason, from Tipp City, Ohio, was previously assigned to Helicopter Mine Countermeasures Fourteen (HM-14). She graduated from Ohio State University in 2018.
Public Affairs Officer:
Lt Ben Bushong, from Hagerstown, Maryland, was previously assigned to USS Nimitz (CVN 68). He graduated from North Carolina State University in 2012.
How much do Blue Angel pilots make?
Blue Angel pilots don't receive any extra compensation for their service. They make the same salary they normally would for their rank and experience.
Are the Blue Angels top gun pilots?
The Navy’s TOPGUN program is called the Navy Fighter Weapons School. Pilots who go through the program teach air combat maneuvering tactics and techniques to select naval aviators and naval flight officers. Some current and former Blue Angels pilots have participated in the TOPGUN program, but it’s not a requirement.
What are the requirements to become a Blue Angel pilot?
To become a Blue Angels pilot, a person must first meet the basic requirements. That means the person must be carrier-oriented, carrier-qualified and they must be an active-duty Navy or Marine Corps pilot.
Eligible applicants can submit an application directly to the team through their Applications Officer. Applicants will visit the scheduled show sites in the early season before finalists are selected and interviewed at NAS Pensacola during the mid-season.
New demonstration pilots and support officers are chosen by a unanimous vote. The Chief of Naval Air Training gets to select the Flight Leader and Commanding Officer.
This article originally appeared on Pensacola News Journal: Who are the Blue Angel pilots? How do you become one?
