By Petty Officer 1st Class Robert Baldock
Navy Flight Demonstration Squadron
The U.S. Navy Flight Demonstration Squadron, the Blue Angels, selected six new officers to join the team for the 2023 air show season, including the first female F/A-18E/F demonstration pilot, Lt. Amanda Lee. The squadron selected two F/A-18E/F Super Hornet pilots, an events coordinator, a C-130J Super Hercules pilot, an aviation maintenance officer, and a flight surgeon to replace outgoing team members.
Come the start of the 2023 show season, these six selectees will join the ranks of the U.S. Navy’s most elite aviation officers, ground support officers and enlisted maintenance personnel already serving on the team.
Each year, the Blue Angels select finalists to interview at the team’s home base of Naval Air Station Pensacola, during the week of the Pensacola Beach Air Show; selections are made at the conclusion of that week.
The selected 2023 officers include F/A-18E/F Demonstration Pilots:
Lt. Cmdr. Thomas Zimmerman, of Baltimore, is currently assigned to the “Red Rippers” of Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 11.
Lt. Amanda Lee, of Mounds View, Minn., is currently assigned to the “Gladiators” of Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 106.
Events Coordinator:
Lt. Cmdr. Brian Vaught, of Englewood, Colo., is a naval flight officer currently assigned to the Naval School of Aviation Safety.
C-130 Demonstration Pilot:
Marine Corps Capt. Samuel Petko, of Osceola, Ind., is a KC-130J Hercules pilot currently assigned to the “Sumos” of Marine Aerial Refueler Transport Squadron (VMGR) 152.
Maintenance Officer:
Lt. Cmdr. Greg Jones, of Cary, N.C., is an aviation maintenance officer currently assigned to Pre-Commissioning Unit John F. Kennedy (CVN 79).
Flight Surgeon:
Lt. Philippe Warren, of Williamsburg, Va. is a flight surgeon currently assigned to the “Fighting Griffins” of Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron (VMM) 266.
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.
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