Seven new officers will join the U.S. Navy Flight Demonstration Squadron — better known as The Blue Angels — for the 2024 air show season. (Paul Archer/U.S. Navy)
Seven new officers will join the U.S. Navy Flight Demonstration Squadron — better known as The Blue Angels — for the 2024 air show season, according to a Navy news release.
Three F/A-18E/F Super Hornet pilots, a C-130J Super Hercules pilot, an aviation maintenance officer, a supply officer and a public affairs officer will replace the outgoing team members in September, the release stated.
“The Blue Angels have established an unmatched culture of excellence over the past 77 years,” said Cmdr. Alex Armatas, commanding officer and flight leader of the Blue Angels. “We are thrilled to welcome our newest team members and look forward to the opportunity to represent the United States Navy and Marine Corps in 2024 and beyond.”
The new officers went through finalist interviews during the Pensacola Beach Air Show last week at the Blue Angels’ home base, Naval Air Station, Pensacola, Fla. They are:
F/A-18E/F Demonstration Pilot: Lt. Cmdr. Jack Keilty, of Oklahoma City, assigned to Strike Fighter Squadron 211 (VFA-211)
F/A-18E/F Demonstration Pilot: Lt. Wes Perkins, of Georgetown, Texas, assigned to Strike Fighter Squadron 122 (VFA-122)
F/A-18E/F Demonstration Pilot: Lt. Connor O’Donnell, of Freeport, Maine, assigned to Training Squadron Eight Six (VT-86)
C-130J Demonstration Pilot: Capt. Isaac Becker, of Austin, Texas, assigned to Marine Transport Squadron 152 (VMR-152)
Maintenance Officer: Lt. Natalia Luchetti, of Mayaguez, Puerto Rico, assigned to Special Projects Patrol Squadron TWO (VPU-2)
Supply Officer: Lt. j.g. Mara Mason, of Tipp City, Ohio, assigned to Helicopter Mine Countermeasures Fourteen (HM-14)
Public Affairs Officer: Lt. Ben Bushong, of Hagerstown, Md., assigned to USS Nimitz (CVN 68)
After a two-month turnover period, the Blue Angels will embark on a five-month training program at Naval Air Station Pensacola and Naval Air Facility El Centro, Calif., according to the release. The next air show season begins March 9, 2024, with the NAF El Centro festival of flight, according to the Blue Angels website.
