Blue Angels Continue Air Show Season

The Navy Flight Demonstration Squadron, the Blue Angels, will resume all previously scheduled performances for the 2011 season beginning with Quad City Air Show in Davenport, Iowa, June 18-19.

During the past two weeks, the Blue Angels completed rigorous training and air show demonstration practice to integrate Capt. Greg McWherter, the new commanding officer and flight leader, back into the flight demonstration team. Capt. McWherter last served with the Blue Angels as their commanding officer during the 2010 season.

The downtime was required when Dave Koss, the previous Blue Angel Commanding Officer was relieved of his command, at his request, following a lower-than-normal maneuver during the team’s performance at the Lynchburg Regional Air Show May 22nd.

In his communications with the Chief of Naval Air Training, Rear Adm. Bill Sizemore, Koss reported that, “With deep personal regret I shared with my command today that I will be voluntarily leaving the greatest flight demonstration team. I performed a maneuver that had an unacceptably low minimum altitude,” said Koss. “This maneuver, combined with other instances of not meeting the airborne standard that makes the Blue Angels the exceptional organization that it is, led to my decision to step down. I have the utmost respect for the Sailors and Marines of the Blue Angels organization and all that they embody. The reason this team is so successful, brings thrills to millions of fans across America, and represents the U.S. Navy so superbly is because of the absolute commitment to safety and perfection by every member of the team. I am honored to have been a part of this organization and I look forward to watching its success in the future.”

The Blue Angels note that they "look forward to continuing to represent the Navy and Marine Corps service members around the world."

FMI: www.blueangels.navy.mil