Blue Angels announced the officers selected for the 2013 team. The squadron selected two F/A-18 Hornet pilots, a C-130 pilot, an events coordinator and a flight surgeon to join the 2013 team. A maintenance officer and a C-130 pilot have been pre-selected for the 2014 team. The Blue Angels announced the 2013 commanding officer, Cdr. Thomas Frosch, in April.
The 2013 team members include:
F/A-18 Demonstration Pilots:
Navy Lt. Nathan Barton, 32, of Hummelstown, Penn., is currently assigned to Electronic Attack Squadron 129 (VAQ-129) at NAS Whidbey Island, Wash. He is a 2002 graduate of the United States Merchant Marine Academy. Navy Lt. Ryan Chamberlain, 27, of Bloomington, Ill., is currently assigned to Strike Fighter Squadron 14 (VFA-14) at NAS Lemoore, Calif. He is a 2003 graduate of Southern Illinois University, Carbondale.
Events Coordinator:
Navy Lt. Cmdr. Michael Cheng, 38, of San Francisco, is currently assigned to Naval Base
Ventura County (NBVC) at Point Mugu, Calif. He is a 1996 graduate of the University of California, Irvine.
C-130 Pilot:
Marine Capt. Michael Van Wyk, 30, of Orland Park, Ill., is currently assigned to Marine Aviation Training Support Group 21 (MATSG-21), NAS Pensacola, Fla. He is a 2003 graduate of Trinity Christian College. Van Wyk was pre-selected to join the 2013 team in 2011.
Flight Surgeon:
Navy Lt. Cmdr. Mark DeBuse, 38, of Longmont, Colo., is currently assigned to Carrier Air Wing 9 (CVW-9) at NAS North Island, Calif. He is a 1996 graduate of the United States Naval Academy and a 2009 graduate of Georgetown University School of Medicine.
Expected to return for the 2013 season are:
F/A-18 Demonstration Pilots:
Navy Lt. John Hiltz, 32, of Fort Mitchell, Ky.
Marine Capt. Brandon Cordill, 32, of Hemet, Calif.
Navy Lt. David Tickle, 31, of Birmingham, Ala.
Navy Lt. Mark Tedrow, 30, of Charleroi, Penn.
C-130 Pilots:
Marine Capt. John Hecker, 39, of New Orleans, La.
Marine Capt. A.J. Harrell, 32, of Frederick, Md.
Administrative Officer:
Navy Lt. Holly Taylor, 37, of Simsboro, La.
Supply Officer:
Navy Lt. Scott Adams, 29, of Omaha, Neb.
Public Affairs Officer:
Navy Lt. Katie Kelly, 30, of Elgin, Ill.
Pre-selected to join the 2014 team are:
Maintenance Officer:
Navy Lt. Cmdr. Declan Hartney, 42, of Limerick, Ireland, is currently assigned to Naval Special Warfare Support Activity 1 (NSWSA-1) at Naval Amphibious Base (NAB) Coronado, Calif.
C-130 Pilot:
Marine Capt. Dusty Cook, 31, 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.
