Blue Angels Pilot: Bill Switzer | Produced by Ryan Nothhaft | Filmed by Chelsea Switzer

Bill Switzer is a retired Navy Captain and former F4 Phantom pilot for the Navy’s Flight Demonstration Squadron, the Blue Angels.

A native of Charleston, West Virginia, Bill Switzer was inspired to become a fighter pilot at a young age after witnessing Air Force flying ace, Chuck Yeager, perform aerobatic maneuvers in a Lockheed P-80 Shooting Star. Faced with a lack of financial resources to attend college, Switzer worked three jobs and graduated from West Virginia Tech seven years after his initial enrollment.

Prior to graduating, Swtizer engaged with a recruiter that peaked his interest in joining the Navy due to the exceptional skills required to land aboard an aircraft carrier. Inspired by the discussion, Switzer entered the Aviation Officer Candidate Program in Pensacola, Florida where he was commissioned in October of 1965 and received his wings in March of 1967.

Switzer was next ordered to Fighter Squadron 124 for training in the F-8 Crusader at Naval Air Station Miramar, California. With the rank of Lieutenant, Switzer was then assigned to Fighter Squadron 191 and while with the squadron made combat cruises to Southeast Asia aboard the USS Ticonderoga and the USS Oriskany. During this time period, he flew 150 combat missions and made 205 carrier-arrested landings. For his efforts, he was awarded eight Air Medals, a Navy Commendation Medal with Combat “V,” a Navy Unit Citation, a Meritorious Unit Commendation, the Vietnamese Cross of Gallantry and the Vietnam Service and Campaign Medals.

At the conclusion of his combat tour, Switzer gave consideration to submitting an application to the Blue Angels, however his flight time did not meet the prerequisite of 1,500 hours. In an effort to log additional flight time, Switzer reported to Training Squadron 25, Beeville, Texas, where he instructed Advanced Student Naval Aviators in the TF-9 Cougar.

After acquiring an additional 1,000 hours of flight time and with the encouragement of former squadron mate LCDR J.D. Davis, the Narrator for the Blue Angels, Switzer submitted an application and was selected to the team for the 1971 season.

Switzer reported to the Blue Angels in November of 1970 and was initially asked if he’d like to serve as the team’s narrator. Eager to fly in the demonstration, Switzer declined and accepted the role as the team’s Opposing Solo #6.

At the time of Switzer’s selection, the Blue Angels performed their demonstration in the McDonnell Douglas F-4 Phantom II. An aircraft that Switzer had never previously flown. As a result, he spent much of November and December of 1970 qualifying in the aircraft and taking cross country flights to familiarize himself with the F4.
Upon arriving at Winter Training at Naval Air Facility El Centro in January of 1971, Switzer would fall under the tutelage of Lead Solo pilot, LT Skip Umstead. Together, the two worked on executing the maneuvers that made up the solo portion of the demonstration, including the 8 Point Roll, the Knife Edge Pass, and the Back to Back Roll.

The Blue Angels kicked off their 1971 season with an air show at NAS Saufley Field, Florida and would travel to sites around the United States including Rochester, New York; Vernal Utah; Fallon, Nevada; Cheyenne, Wy; Fort Worth, Texas and close out their season with a joint show with the Air Force Thunderbirds at Nellis Air Force Base.

Prior to the Concluding of the 1971 season, The Blue Angels embarked on a historic international tour of the Far East. The Team performed airshows in Korea, Japan, Taiwan, Philippines, and Guam.

LT Switzer made a rare transition from Opposing Solo #6 to the Slot #4 for the 1972 season. The Team continued their aggressive airshow schedule that included stops at Kingsville, Texas; Huntsville, Alabama; Dulles, Washington, DC; Willow Grove, Pennsylvania; Madison, Wisconsin; and Switzer’s hometown of Charleston, West Virginia.

Today, Switzer fondly recalls his time on the Blue Angels and values the lessons of leadership he learned from team leader, Cdr Harley Hall.