The Navy is looking for a new boss for the Blue Angels... and the standards this new CO must meet seem to be pretty heavy-duty...

Anyone in ANN-land qualified for the job?

The Chief of Naval Air Training (CNATRA), Rear Adm. George Mayer, announced that applications for the position of Commanding Officer (CO) of the Navy Flight Demonstration Squadron (NAVFLIGHTDEMRON... a/k/a 'The Blue Angels) are now being accepted and should be received no later than March 19.

Applicants must have 3,000 flight hours and be in command or have had command of a tactical jet squadron. Letter of application should include experience, qualifications, complete biography and a completed CNATRA form 1331/1, which can be obtained by calling CNATRA admin at DSN 861-3624 or can be obtained directly from the NAVFLIGHTDEMRON Web site at www.navy.com/blueangels.

Officers interested in the position of Commanding Officer, NAVFLIGHTDEMRON must submit requests for consideration to their immediate reporting senior to Chief of Naval Air Training, 250 Lexington Blvd., Suite 102, Corpus Christi, Texas, 78419-5041, with info copies to the Commanding Officer, Navy Flight Demonstration Squadron, 390 San Carlos Road, Suite A, Pensacola, Fla., 32508-5508, and the Chief of Naval Personnel (PERS 43).

Letters of endorsement or recommendation from persons other than reporting senior are encouraged and will be incorporated into applicant's jacket. The selection process for finalists will include a personal interview by the Chief of Naval Air Training and a handpicked group of aviation leaders the week April 20.

Tentative selection is made by CNATRA, with final approval of the Deputy Chief of Naval Operations (Air Warfare N78) in the spring. [ANN Thanks Lt. Robert Lyon, Chief of Naval Air Training Public Affairs]

FMI: www.news.navy.mil/local/cnatra