Taming the Rhino: The story of the Blue Angels transition to the F/18 Super Hornet

As the Blue Angels launched into their historic 75th anniversary season, The U.S. Navy’s Flight Demonstration Squadron did so with two new platforms - The F/18 Super Hornet and C-130J Super Hercules. In this special presentation featuring members of the 2021 Blue Angels, you’ll hear in great detail the reason for the team’s decision to transition to the Super Hornet as well as their process to adopting the new platform to the sequence of traditional Blue Angel maneuvers. Behind the scenes insights are also provided about the team’s new C-130 and challenges that the maintenance team incurred during their maiden season with the advanced aircrafts.

FEATURED PANELISTS:

CAPT Brian Kesselring, Flight Leader & Commanding Officer
LCDR James Cox, Slot Pilot
CRD Ben Walborn, Lead Solo
LCDR Cary Rickoff, Opposing Solo
MAJ Rick Rose, C-130 "Fat Albert" Pilot
LT Brian Abe, Maintenance Officer
RADM David O Anderson, USN (ret) - Moderator, Blue Angels Pilot 1985-1987


PRESENTED BY:

The Blue Angels Association

FILMED BY:

Hellcat Productions

EDITED BY:

Ryan Nothhaft

VISUAL RESOURCES PROVIDED BY:

U.S. Navy Blue Angels
Ryan Nothhaft
Laura Bogan


2021 BLUE ANGELS TEAM

1. CAPT Brian Kesselring
2. LCDR James Haley
3. MAJ Frank Zastoupil, USMC
4. LCDR James Cox
5. CRD Ben Walborn
6. LCDR Cary Rickoff
7. LCDR Julius Bratton
8. LT Katlin Forster
XO CRD Todd Royles
Maj Rick Rose, USMC
Capt William Huckeba, USMC
Capt Jackson Streiff, USMC
MO LT Brian Abe
Assistant MO LT Henry Cedeno
Flight Surgeon Lt Monica Borza
SO LTJG Kristin Toland
PAO LT Chelsea Dietlin