2022 NFDS, The Blue Angels, Change of Command Program.

Command Mission

The mission of the Blue Angels is to showcase the teamwork and professionalism of the United States Navy and Marine Corps through flight demonstrations and community outreach while inspiring a culture of excellence and service to country.

COMMAND HISTORY

In 1946, the Chief of Naval Operations, 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. In the 1940’s, we thrilled audiences with our precision combat maneuvers in the F6 Hellcat, the F8 Bearcat and the F9 Panther. During the 1950’s, we refined our demonstration with aerobatic maneuvers in the F9 Cougar and F-11 Tiger and introduced the first six-plane delta formation, still flown to this day. By the end of the 1960’s, we were flying the F-4 Phantom, the only two seat aircraft flown by the delta formation. In 1974, we transitioned to the A-4 Skyhawk, a smaller and lighter aircraft with a tighter turning radius allowing for a more dynamic flight demonstration. In 1986, we celebrated our 40th Anniversary by unveiling the Boeing F/A-18 Hornet. In 2021, we transitioned to our current aircraft, the F/A-18 Super Hornet and celebrated our 75th anniversary.

In 1949, it became necessary for the Blue Angels to operate a support aircraft to move personnel and equipment between show sites. These support aircraft included the Douglas R4D Sky Train, the Curtiss R5C Commando, the Douglas R5D Skymaster, and the Lockheed C-121 Super Constellation. In 1970 the team received the Lockheed Martin C-130, affectionately known as “Fat Albert.” In 2020, “Fat Albert” transitioned to its current platform, the C-130J Super Hercules.

CAPT Brian Kesselring

Captain Brian C. Kesselring is a native of Fargo, North Dakota. He graduated from Concordia College, MN, where he earned a Bachelor of Arts undergraduate degree with majors in Physics, Mathematics, and Business while also competing in basketball and track & field. Upon graduation, Brian attended Officer Candidate School in Pensacola, Florida, where he earned his commission as an Ensign in the U.S. Navy in March 2001.

Brian was designated a Naval Aviator in August 2003, and received orders to the “Gladiators” of Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 106 at Naval Air Station (NAS) Oceana, Virginia, for F/A-18C Hornet training. His first fleet assignment was as a member of the “Gunslingers” of VFA-105, where he flew the F/A-18C and F/A18E and completed two combat deployments aboard USS Harry S. Truman (CVN 75) in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. He was then selected to attend the Navy Fighter Weapons School (TOPGUN), where he remained as a staff instructor from 2008-2011.

Upon completing his tour at TOPGUN, Brian reported to the “Tophatters” of VFA-14 at NAS Lemoore, California, where he served as the Training Officer and deployed aboard USS John C. Stennis (CVN 74) in support of Operation New Dawn and Operation Enduring Freedom. Following his Training Officer tour, Brian reported to the “Tomcatters” of VFA-31 as a Department Head, where he deployed aboard the USS George H.W. Bush (CVN 77) in support of Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Inherent Resolve. During his tour with the “Tomcatters,” he was honored to receive the “LCDR Michael Longhardt” award for superior leadership.

Brian then received orders to Carrier Air Wing One as Assistant Operations Officer where he deployed aboard the USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN 71) in support of Operation Inherent Resolve. Following this tour, Brian reported to the Naval War College earning a Master of Arts in National Security Strategy, while participating in the Halsey Advanced Research Program.

Brian was then assigned as the Executive Officer of the “Sunliners” of VFA-81 in March 2017, subsequently assuming Command in June 2018 and deploying aboard USS Harry S. Truman (CVN 75) in support of Operation Inherent Resolve. While serving as Commanding Officer, the “Sunliners” were honored to receive the Navy’s coveted “Battle Effectiveness” award.

Brian joined the Blue Angels in September 2019. He has accumulated more than 5,000 flight hours and has 812 carrier-arrested landings. His decorations include the Meritorious Service Medal, six Strike/Flight Air Medals, three Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medals, two Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medals, and various personal, unit and service awards.

CDR Alexander Armatas

Commander 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, and was commissioned as an Ensign in the United States Navy. He was designated a Naval Aviator at Naval Air Station (NAS) Meridian, Mis sissippi in June 2005.

Following initial Fleet Replacement Squadron training, Alexander reported to the “Eagles” of Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 115 at NAS Lemoore, California, where he served as Schedules Officer, Line Division Officer, Weapons Training Officer, Landing Signal Officer, Assistant Operations Officer and Safety Officer. He completed three deployments on board USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76) in support of Operations Iraqi Freedom and Enduring Freedom. During his tour, Alexander received the 2008 George H. W. Bush Leadership award. In 2009, Alexander graduated from the Navy Fighter Weapons School (TOPGUN) Strike Fighter Tactics Instructor course at NAS Fallon, Nevada and subsequently joined the “Flying Eagles” of VFA-122 at NAS Lemoore as an Instructor Pilot. During that tour, he served as Landing Signal Officer, Strike Fighter Tactics Instructor, Schedules Officer, Fleet Transition Phase Head, Plans Officer and Standardization Officer. He was selected as the 2010 VFA-122 Instructor Pilot of the Year.

Alexander reported to the “Tophatters” of VFA-14 at NAS Lemoore, California as Training Officer in June 2012. He completed a deployment aboard USS John C. Stennis (CVN 74) in support of Operation Enduring Freedom and received the 2013 Lieutenant Commander Michael G. Hoff Attack Aviator of the Year award. In June 2014, he reported to the VFA-143 “Pukin’ Dogs” at NAS Oceana in Virginia Beach, Virginia as a Department Head. He served as Admin Officer, Safety Officer, Maintenance Officer and Operations Officer and completed a deployment aboard USS Harry S. Truman (CVN 75) in support of Operation Inherent Resolve.

In December, 2016, Alexander transferred to the Navy Personnel Command (NPC) in Millington, Tennessee as Strike Fighter Placement Officer. He detached from NPC in July 2018. Commander Armatas reported to the “Gunslingers” of VFA-105 in May 2019, became Executive Officer in October 2019, and assumed command in January 2021. While assigned to VFA-105, he deployed twice aboard USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN 69) in support of Operation Freedom’s Sentinel and was awarded the 2020 Navy and Marine Corps Association Leadership Award.

Alexander has more than 4,000 flight hours and more than 900 carrier arrested landings. His decorations include multiple unit and personal awards.

WINDS AND

SEAS

Former Commanding Officers

CDR ROY VORIS, 1946, 1952

LCDR BOB CLARKE, 1947

LCDR DUSTY RHODES, 1948, 1949

LCDR JOHNNY MAGDA, 1950

LCDR RAY HAWKINS, 1953

CDR ZEKE CORNIER, 1954 - 1956

CDR ED HOLLEY, 1957, 1958

CDR ZEB KNOTT, 1959 - 1961

LCDR KEN WALLACE, 1962, 1963

LCDR BOB AUMACK, 1964 - 1966

CDR BILL WHEAT, 1967, 1969

CDR HARLEY HALL, 1970, 1971

LCDR DON BENTLEY, 1972

LCDR SKIP UMSTEAD, 1973

CDR TONY LESS, 1974, 1975

CDR CASEY JONES, 1976, 1977

CDR BILL NEWMAN, 1978, 1979

CDR DENNY WISELY, 1980, 1981

CDR DAVE CARROLL, 1982, 1983

CDR LARRY PEARSON, 1984, 1985

CAPT GIL RUD, 1986 - 1988

CAPT PAT MONEYMAKER, 1989, 1990

CAPT GREG WOOLDRIDGE, 1991-1993, 1996

CDR BOB STUMPF, 1993, 1994

CDR DONNIE COCHRAN, 1995, 1996

CDR GEORGE DOM, 1997, 1998

CAPT PATRICK DRISCOLL, 1999, 2000

CAPT ROBERT FFIELD, 2001, 2002

CDR RUSSELL BARTLETT, 2003, 2004

CDR STEVE FOLEY, 2005, 2006

CDR KEVIN MANNIX, 2007, 2008

CAPT GREG MCWHERTER, 2009 - 2012

CDR DAVE KOSS, 2011

CAPT TOM FROSCH, 2013 - 2015

CDR RYAN BERNACCHI, 2016, 2017

CAPT ERIC DOYLE, 2018, 2019

CAPT BRIAN KESSELRING, 2020-2022

Fallen in The Line Of Duty

SERVED ON BLUE ANGELS:

LCDR RICHARD OLIVER, 1964 - 1966

CAPT ROSS THOMPSON, 1967

BILL WORLEY, 1968

LARRY WATTERS, 1972

SKIP UMSTEAD, 1972-1973

CAPT. MIKE MURPHY, 1973

ADJ1 RONALD THOMAS, 1973

NILE KRAFT, 1976-1977

MIKE CURTAIN, 1978

STU POWRIE, 1981-1982

MIKE GERSHON, 1985

KIERON O’CONNER, 1999

KEVIN COLLING, 1999

KEVIN DAVIS, 2007

JEFF KUSS, 2015-2016