Blue Angels turn 78 this year. See historic photos of Florida-based team, compare to today
In 1946, Admiral Chester Nimitz "had a vision to create a flight exhibition team in order to raise the public's interest in naval aviation and boost Navy morale."
Thus was born the Blue Angels, which have been generating excitement and thrills far beyond the Navy ever since.
There's no doubt when the Blue Angels come to town, and come to town they do. They'll fly in more than 30 air shows across the United States in 2024, to the amazement and awe of an estimated 11 million spectators.
Blue Angels fast (get it?) facts
Fastest speed: up to 700 mph, just under Mach 1 during its Sneak Pass maneuver
Slowest speed: around 120 mph, during the Section High Alpha maneuver
How close do they fly? 18 inches apart during the Diamond 360
Plane: Boeing F/A-18 Super Hornet, since 2021
Home base: Naval Air Station Pensacola, Florida
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."
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.
Historic look at Blue Angels through the decades
Now see photos of 2023 Blue Angels
Blue Angels pilots 2024
Here’s a look at the Blue Angel pilots for the 2024 air show season.
#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.
This article originally appeared on Treasure Coast Newspapers: Blue Angels exhibition show photos over the years