Blue Angels’ Schedule Announced

Pensacola, Fla. – January 2, 2008 – If you’ve wanted to see first-hand the precision aerobatics of the U.S. Navy’s Demonstration Team – The Blue Angels, chances are you’ll be able to do so in 2008. That’s because the team will likely be performing near you, with shows scheduled in 23 states and Quebec City from March through November. Shows are currently scheduled from California on the West Coast to Maine on the East Coast and in many states in between. The team is stationed at Forrest Sherman Field, Naval Air Station Pensacola, Florida, during the show season. However, the squadron is spending January through March training pilots and new team members at Naval Air Facility El Centro, California. Demonstration pilots returning for the 2008 season include: •Commanding officer and flight leader, Navy Cmdr. Kevin Mannix, of Lindenhurst, New York. •Marine Maj. Clint C. Harris of Senath, Missouri. •Navy. Lt. Cmdr. Craig R. Olson, of Kirkland, Washington. •Marine Maj. Nathan M. Miller, of Lapeer, Michigan The new F/A-18 Hornet pilots include: •Navy Lt. Paul Brantuas, most recently assigned to Strike Fighter Squadron 125 at NAS Lemoore and a 1997 graduate of San Diego State University. •Navy Lt. Mark Swinger, formerly assigned to Strike Fighter Squadron 106 at NAS Oceana and a 2000 graduate of San Diego State University. •Navy Lt. Frank Weisser from the Strike Fighter Squadron 87 at NAS Oceana and a 2000 graduate of the U.S. Naval Academy. Other new officers joining the squadron include: •C-130 pilot — Capt. Brendan Burks, formerly assigned to Expeditionary Warfare School in Quantico, Virginia. •Maintenance officer —Lt. Manuel Sanchez, formerly assigned to Strike Fighter Squadron 27 in Atsugi, Japan. •Public Affairs Officer — Capt. Tyson Dunkelberger from the Marine Aviation Training Support Group 21 in Pensacola. •Supply Officer — Lt. (Junior Grade) Anthony Robinson, formerly assigned to Commander, Naval Air Forces Supply North Island in San Diego, California. Since its inception in 1946 to serve as goodwill ambassadors for the U.S. Navy and Marine Corps, the Blue Angels have performed for more than 427 million fans. 2008 marks the 21st year the squadron has flown the F/A-18 Hornet. Last year’s season was marred by the death of one of its demonstration pilots, Lt. Cmdr. Kevin Davis, during an April 21 air show in South Carolina. The last Blue Angels pilot killed during an air show was Lt. Cmdr. Mike Gershon on July 13, 1985. 2008 Blues schedule March 8 NAF El Centro, California 15-16 Sacramento, California 29-30 NAS Meridian, Mississippi April 5-6 NAS Kingsville, Texas 12-13 Smyrna, Tennessee 19-20 Peoria, Illinois 26-27 Vidalia, Georgia May 3-4 Fort Lauderdale, Florida 10-11 Barksdale AFB, Bossier City, Louisiana 16-18 Andrews AFB, Maryland 21 USNA, Annapolis, Maryland 23 USNA Fly-By, Annapolis, Maryland 24-25 Jones Beach, New York June 7-8 MCAS Cherry Point, North Carolina 14-15 Quebec City 21-22 Davenport, Iowa 28-29 Huntsville, Alabama July 5-6 Traverse City, Michigan 11 Pensacola Beach, Florida 19-20 Duluth, Minnesota 26-27 Twin Falls, Idaho August 2-3 Seattle, Washington 8-10 Fairchild AFB, Spokane, Washington 16-17 Chicago, Illinois 30 Cleveland, Ohio September 1 Cleveland, Ohio 6-7 NAS Brunswick, Maine 13-14 Eau Claire, Wisconsin 20-21 NAS Oceana, Virginia 27-28 Grand Junction, Colorado October 4-5 MCAS Miramar, San Diego, California 11-12 San Francisco, California 18-19 Little Rock, AFB, Arkansas 25-26 NAS Jacksonville, Florida November 1-2 Lackland AFB, San Antonio, Texas 8-9 Kennedy Space Center, Florida 15 NAS Pensacola, Florida

. More Information Blue Angels Home Page The Blue Angels’ F/A-18 The Blue’s C-130 See the Schedule

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