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| The U.S. Navy Flight Demonstration Squadron, the Blue Angels, take off as slot pilot Capt. Brandon Cordill shifts into position during a pilot proficiency flight. While the Blue Angels' 2013 air show season has been canceled due to sequestration, the pilots fly proficiency flights to maintain their qualifications in the F/A-18 Hornets. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Kathryn E. Macdonald/Released) |
Blog Ed Note: Hope this means they will perform next year and we can get past these devastating budget cuts.
PENSACOLA, Fla. (NNS) -- The U.S. Navy Flight Demonstration Squadron, the Blue Angels, announced the officers selected for the 2014 team July 12.
The squadron selected an administrative officer and a public affairs officer to join a pre-selected C-130 pilot and a maintenance officer on the 2014 team.
Many highly-qualified Navy and Marine Corps officers submit applications to join the Blue Angels each year. The Blue Angels select finalists to interview at the Blue Angels' home base at Naval Air Station Pensacola, Fla., during the week of the Pensacola Beach Air Show. The team makes selections at the conclusion of the interview week.
The newly-selected 2014 team members include:
Administrative Officer:
Navy Lt. j.g. Phillip Harper, 33, from Chicago, is currently assigned to Strike Fighter Squadron 195 (VFA-195), at Naval Air Facility Atsugi, Japan. He is a 2011 graduate of Hawaii Pacific University, Honolulu.
Public Affairs Officer:
Navy Lt. j.g. Amber Lynn Daniel, 32, from Ramona, Calif., is currently assigned to the Navy Office of Diversity and Inclusion, Washington, D.C. She is a 2004 graduate of Southern Oregon University, Ashland, Ore.
Pre-selected to join the 2014 team were:
C-130 Pilot:
Marine Capt. Dusty Cook, 32, of East Bernard, Texas, is currently assigned to Marine Aerial Refueler Transport Squadron 252 (VMGR-252) at Marine Corps Air Station (MCAS) Cherry Point, N.C. He is a 2003 graduate of Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas.
Maintenance Officer:
Navy Lt. Cmdr. Declan Hartney, 43, of Limerick, Ireland, is currently assigned to Naval Special Warfare Support Activity 1 (NSWSA-1) at Naval Amphibious Base (NAB) Coronado, Calif.
Expected to return for the 2014 season are:
F/A-18 Demonstration Pilots:
Navy Cmdr. Tom Frosch, 43, of Clinton Township, Mich.
Navy Lt. Cmdr. John Hiltz, 33, of Fort Mitchell, Ky.
Navy Lt. Cmdr. Nate Barton, 33, of Hummelstown, Pa.
Marine Capt. Brandon Cordill, 33, of Hemet, Calif.
Navy Lt. Cmdr. David Tickle, 32, of Birmingham, Ala.
Navy Lt. Mark Tedrow, 31, of Charleroi, Penn.
Narrator
Navy Lt. Ryan Chamberlain, 28, of Bloomington, Ill.
Events Coordination Officer:
Navy Lt. Cmdr. Michael Cheng, 39, of San Francisco.
C-130 Pilots:
Marine Capt. A.J. Harrell, 32, of Frederick, Md.
Marine Capt. Mike Van Wyk, 31, of Orland Park, Ill.
Flight Surgeon:
Navy Lt. Cmdr. Mark DeBuse, 39, of Longmont, Colo.
Supply Officer:
Navy Lt. Scott Adams, 29, of Omaha, Neb.
The mission of the Blue Angels is to enhance Navy recruiting and credibly represent Navy and Marine Corps aviation to the United States and its Armed Forces to America and other countries as international ambassadors of good will.
Since its inception in 1946, the Blue Angels have performed for more than 484 million fans.
