Blue Angels Announce New Commanding Officer

NAWS CHINA LAKE, Calif. (March 19, 2017) The U.S. Navy Flight Demonstration Squadron, The Blue Angels, perform a minimum radius turn at the NAWS China Lake Air Show. The Blue Angels are scheduled to perform more than 60 demonstrations across the U.S. in 2017. (U.S. Navy photo by Petty Officer 2nd Class Ian Cotter/Released)

From Blue Angels Public Affairs

NAVAL AIR STATION PENSACOLA, Fla. (NNS) -- The U.S. Navy Flight Demonstration Squadron, the Blue Angels, announced the commanding officer for the 2018 and 2019 seasons at a press conference at the National Museum of Aviation onboard Naval Air Station Pensacola, Florida, April 4.

A selection panel comprised of 10 admirals and former commanding officers selected Cmdr. Eric Doyle to succeed Cmdr. Ryan Bernacchi.

Applicants are required to have a minimum of 3,000 flight hours and be in current command or have had past command of a tactical jet squadron.

Doyle, a native of League City, Texas, joins the Blue Angels after serving as the commanding officer of Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 113. His previous assignments include six squadron tours, where he flew the F/A-18 Hornet and F-22A Raptor as an operational test pilot. He has deployed in support of Operations Southern Watch, Iraqi Freedom, Enduring Freedom, and Inherent Resolve.

Doyle attended Texas A&M University and graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in 1996. He earned his commission through the Officer Candidate School in Pensacola, Florida. Doyle has more than 3,000 flight hours and 600 carrier-arrested landings. His decorations include the Meritorious Service Medal, Strike/Flight Air Medal (with combat V), Navy Commendation Medals (one with combat V), and Navy Achievement Medal, as well as various campaign and unit awards.

"This was a childhood dream come true," said Doyle. "My motivation to become a pilot came from watching the Blue Angels."

Doyle will serve as commanding officer and flight leader for the 2018 and 2019 Blue Angels air show seasons. He will report for initial training in Pensacola, Florida in September and officially take command of the squadron at the end of the air show season in November. The change of command ceremony is slated for Nov. 12, at the National Naval Aviation Museum.

As the Blue Angels' commanding officer, Doyle will lead a squadron of 130 personnel and serve as the demonstration flight leader, flying the #1 jet. The Blue Angels perform for 11 million people annually across the United States, and are scheduled to perform 61 shows in 33 locations for the 2018 season.

VFA-97 Flyby of Stennis for Aerial Change of Command

An F/A-18E Super Hornet assigned to the Warhawks of Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 97 performs a flyby during an aerial change of command ceremony above USS John C. Stennis (CVN 74). Providing a ready force supporting security and stability in the Indo-Asia-Pacific, Stennis is operating as part of the Great Green Fleet on a regularly scheduled 7th Fleet deployment. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Tomas Compian/Released)

VFA 211 Holds Aerial Change of Command

By Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Scott Pittman, Enterprise Carrier Strike Group Public Affairs

USS ENTERPRISE, At Sea (NNS) -- The Checkmates of Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 211 held an airborne change of command ceremony in the skies over deployed aircraft carrier USS Enterprise (CVN 65) May 7.

Cmdr. John Bixby relieved Cmdr. James A. McCall as commanding officer (CO), as both flew in F/A-18F Super Hornets, assigned to VFA-211. They read their orders, with McCall giving the final flight lead to Bixby as they flew over Enterprise.

"Now it's just a matter of taking the baton from Cmdr. McCall and keeping the squadron going down the right path," said Bixby. "As one man, I cannot change how well the squadron performs, it's a matter of all 250 of our people doing what they do, and have been doing, to get the job done."

This deployment will be the final deployment for any squadron embarked aboard Enterprise, as the ship is scheduled to be decommissioned following its return to homeport in Norfolk, Va., making this the last in-flight change of command the Checkmates will have over Enterprise.

"I'm an aviator, so anything we can do in a jet is better than something we can do on the ground, and I'm all for that," said Bixby.

When asked his departing thoughts, McCall stated that leaving while his squadron was still flying combat missions was the best way he could think to depart.

"As for the Checkmates, it has been the greatest honor of my career to lead this team. It's made up of a tremendous group of Sailors who are dedicated to their craft and our country," said McCall. "I know Americans can sleep safely at night with this team out here doing what we're doing today."

Shortly after the ceremony, McCall departed Enterprise to report to his new command, Joint Theater Air and MSL DEF ORG.

With the completion of the change of command, VFA-211 pilots will continue to fly combat missions in the U.S. 5th Fleet area of responsibility.

Blue Angels Announce New Boss

NAS PENSACOLA, Fla. (NNS) -- The U.S. Navy Flight Demonstration Squadron, the Blue Angels, announced the commanding officer for the 2013-14 seasons during a press conference at the National Aviation Museum on board Naval Air Station (NAS) Pensacola, Fla., May 1.

A panel of admirals and former Blue Angels commanding officers selected Cmdr. Thomas Frosch to succeed Capt. Greg McWherter.

Frosch, a native of Clinton Township, Mich., joins the Blue Angels after serving as the commanding officer for Strike Fighter Squadron 146 (VFA-146), on board Naval Air Station Lemoore, Calif. His previous assignments include four squadrons, where he flew the F/A-18 Hornet and deployed in support of Operations Southern Watch, Allied Force and Iraqi Freedom. Frosch was also selected to attend the U.S. Naval Test Pilot School and deployed to Kabul, Afghanistan as an Individual Augmentee with the NATO International Security Assistance Force.

Frosch attended the U.S. Naval Academy, where he lettered in football, graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in Engineering and was commissioned an ensign in the Navy. He also attended the Naval War College, where he earned his Master of Arts Degree in National Security and Strategic Studies.

Frosch has more than 3,000 flight hours and 830 carrier-arrested landings. His decorations include a Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Meritorious Service Medal, Joint Service Commendation Medal, six Strike Flight Air Medals, two Individual air Medals with Combat "V," three Navy Commendation Medals, one with Combat "V," as well as various campaign and unit awards.

The change-of-command ceremony is slated for November 4, 2012 at the National Museum of Aviation.

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.

Blue Angels Announce New Commanding Officer

NAVAL AIR STATION PENSACOLA, Fla. (NNS) -- The Navy Flight Demonstration Squadron, The Blue Angels, announced the Commanding Officer for the 2011 and 2012 teams.

A panel of admirals and former Blue Angels selected Cmdr. David E. Koss to join the team in September. He is the commanding officer of Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 14, the "Tophatters," where he also served as executive officer. Commander Koss' previous assignments include VFA-122, air and maritime planner to Standing Joint Force Headquarters (SJFHQ) in Camp Smith, Hawaii, VFA-87 and VFA-106.

Koss has over 3,000 flight hours and 740 arrested landings. His decorations include the Defense Meritorious Service Medal, two Air Medal with Combat V, four Air Medals (Strike Flight), Joint Achievement Medal, three Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medals, LT Charles Nelson and LCDR Mike Longardt leadership awards, as well as various campaign and unit awards.