A Navy first: Woman pilot joins Blue Angels flight squadron
PENSACOLA, Fla. (AP) — The U.S. Navy’s Blue Angels have named the first woman as a demonstration pilot for the 2023 air show season.
Women have served with the Blue Angels in other capacities for more than 55 years, but Lt. Amanda Lee, of Mounds View, Minnesota, is the first to join the iconic flight squadron as a pilot, the Navy said.
Lee, a member of the “Gladiators” of Strike Fighter Squadron 106, graduated from Old Dominion University in 2013, the Blue Angels said Monday in a Facebook post announcing the new team.
“We had an overwhelming number of applicants from all over the globe this year,” said Capt. Brian Kesselring, the squadron’s commanding officer and flight leader. “We look forward to training our fantastic new team members, passing on the torch, and watching the incredible things this team will accomplish in 2023.”
The Blue Angels also named five other new members of the team based at the Naval Air Station in Pensacola, Florida, including pilots Navy Lt. Cmdr. Thomas Zimmerman, of Baltimore, Maryland and Marine Corps Capt. Samuel Petko of Osceola, Indiana.
Lt. Cmdr. Brian Vaught, of Englewood, Colorado, was named events coordinator. Lt. Cmdr. Greg Jones, of Cary, North Carolina, will be an aviation maintenance officer and Lt. Philippe Warren, of Williamsburg, Virginia, is the new flight surgeon.
The new team members will report to the squadron in September for a two-month turnover period. Once the 2022 show season concludes in November, they will embark on a rigorous five-month training program at NAS Pensacola and Naval Air Facility El Centro, Calif.
The team’s mission is to showcase the teamwork and professionalism of the United States Navy and Marine Corps through flight demonstrations and community outreach.
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A Navy first: Woman pilot joins Blue Angels flight squadronSeth Wenig
People watch as a formation of the Blue Angels and Thunderbirds flight teams pass in front of the New York City skyline as seen from Weehawken, N.J., Tuesday, April 28, 2020. The flyover was in salute to first responders in the fight against the new coronavirus. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)
Seth WenigPeople watch as a formation of the Blue Angels and Thunderbirds flight teams pass in front of the New York City skyline as seen from Weehawken, N.J., Tuesday, April 28, 2020. The flyover was in salute to first responders in the fight against the new coronavirus. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)
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A Navy first: Woman pilot joins Blue Angels flight squadronBebeto Matthews
U.S. Navy Blue Angels and U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds flyover New York City skyline, Tuesday April 28, 2020, in New York. The flyover was in salute to first responders in the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic. (AP Photo/Bebeto Matthews)
Bebeto MatthewsU.S. Navy Blue Angels and U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds flyover New York City skyline, Tuesday April 28, 2020, in New York. The flyover was in salute to first responders in the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic. (AP Photo/Bebeto Matthews)
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A Navy first: Woman pilot joins Blue Angels flight squadronCharles Sykes
A PSE&G utility worker watches the Navy's Blue Angels and the Air Force's Thunderbirds conduct "a collaborative salute" to honor those battling the COVID-19 pandemic with a flyover of New York and New Jersey, Tuesday, April 28, 2020, in this view from Jersey City, N.J. (Photo by Charles Sykes/Invision/AP)
Charles SykesA PSE&G utility worker watches the Navy's Blue Angels and the Air Force's Thunderbirds conduct "a collaborative salute" to honor those battling the COVID-19 pandemic with a flyover of New York and New Jersey, Tuesday, April 28, 2020, in this view from Jersey City, N.J. (Photo by Charles Sykes/Invision/AP)
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A Navy first: Woman pilot joins Blue Angels flight squadronSeth Wenig
A formation of the Blue Angels and Thunderbirds flight teams pass behind the Empire State Building in New York City as seen from Weehawken, N.J., Tuesday, April 28, 2020. The flyover was in salute to the medical personnel, first responders and other essential workers in the fight against the new coronavirus. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)
Seth WenigA formation of the Blue Angels and Thunderbirds flight teams pass behind the Empire State Building in New York City as seen from Weehawken, N.J., Tuesday, April 28, 2020. The flyover was in salute to the medical personnel, first responders and other essential workers in the fight against the new coronavirus. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)
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A Navy first: Woman pilot joins Blue Angels flight squadronMary Altaffer
Spectators watch from the Brooklyn bridge park as a formation of U.S. Navy Blue Angels and U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds fly over the East River, Tuesday, April 28, 2020, in New York. The flyover was in salute to first responders in the fight against the new coronavirus. (AP Photo/Mary Altaffer)
Mary AltafferSpectators watch from the Brooklyn bridge park as a formation of U.S. Navy Blue Angels and U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds fly over the East River, Tuesday, April 28, 2020, in New York. The flyover was in salute to first responders in the fight against the new coronavirus. (AP Photo/Mary Altaffer)
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A Navy first: Woman pilot joins Blue Angels flight squadronSeth Wenig
People watch as a formation of the Blue Angels and Thunderbirds flight teams pass in front of the New York City skyline as seen from Weehawken, N.J., Tuesday, April 28, 2020. The flyover was a tribute to the medical personnel, first responders and other essential workers in the fight against the new coronavirus. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)
Seth WenigPeople watch as a formation of the Blue Angels and Thunderbirds flight teams pass in front of the New York City skyline as seen from Weehawken, N.J., Tuesday, April 28, 2020. The flyover was a tribute to the medical personnel, first responders and other essential workers in the fight against the new coronavirus. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)
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A Navy first: Woman pilot joins Blue Angels flight squadronKathy Willens
The military's elite flight demonstration squadrons — the Navy's Blue Angels and the Air Force's Thunderbirds performed "a collaborative salute" to honor those battling the COVID-19 pandemic and in a salute to health care and front-line workers battling and helping curb the current coronavirus outbreak, Tuesday, April 28, 2020, in New York. (AP Photo/Kathy Willens)
Kathy WillensThe military's elite flight demonstration squadrons — the Navy's Blue Angels and the Air Force's Thunderbirds performed "a collaborative salute" to honor those battling the COVID-19 pandemic and in a salute to health care and front-line workers battling and helping curb the current coronavirus outbreak, Tuesday, April 28, 2020, in New York. (AP Photo/Kathy Willens)
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A Navy first: Woman pilot joins Blue Angels flight squadronKathy Willens
The Air Force's Thunderbirds stream in the sky over New York harbor while performing "a collaborative salute" with the Navy's Blue Angels to honor those battling the COVID-19 pandemic, Tuesday, April 28, 2020, in New York. (AP Photo/Kathy Willens)
Kathy WillensThe Air Force's Thunderbirds stream in the sky over New York harbor while performing "a collaborative salute" with the Navy's Blue Angels to honor those battling the COVID-19 pandemic, Tuesday, April 28, 2020, in New York. (AP Photo/Kathy Willens)
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A Navy first: Woman pilot joins Blue Angels flight squadronKathy Willens
The military's elite flight demonstration squadrons, the Navy's Blue Angels, top, and the Air Force's Thunderbirds, perform "a collaborative salute" to honor those battling the COVID-19 pandemic during the current coronavirus outbreak, Tuesday, April 28, 2020, in New York. (AP Photo/Kathy Willens)
Kathy WillensThe military's elite flight demonstration squadrons, the Navy's Blue Angels, top, and the Air Force's Thunderbirds, perform "a collaborative salute" to honor those battling the COVID-19 pandemic during the current coronavirus outbreak, Tuesday, April 28, 2020, in New York. (AP Photo/Kathy Willens)
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A Navy first: Woman pilot joins Blue Angels flight squadronEvan Agostini
The Navy's Blue Angels (pictured) and the Air Force's Thunderbirds conduct "a collaborative salute" to honor those battling the COVID-19 pandemic with a flyover New York and New Jersey on Tuesday, April 28, 2020. (Photo by Evan Agostini/Invision/AP)
Evan AgostiniThe Navy's Blue Angels (pictured) and the Air Force's Thunderbirds conduct "a collaborative salute" to honor those battling the COVID-19 pandemic with a flyover New York and New Jersey on Tuesday, April 28, 2020. (Photo by Evan Agostini/Invision/AP)
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A Navy first: Woman pilot joins Blue Angels flight squadronKathy Willens
Spectators photograph as the military's elite flight demonstration squadrons, the Navy's Blue Angels and the Air Force's Thunderbirds, perform "a collaborative salute" to those battling the COVID-19 pandemic, Tuesday, April 28, 2020, in New York. The salute was planned to honor frontline medics, doctors, first responders, and essential personnel who have cared for the sick and dying during the crisis. (AP Photo/Kathy Willens)
Kathy WillensSpectators photograph as the military's elite flight demonstration squadrons, the Navy's Blue Angels and the Air Force's Thunderbirds, perform "a collaborative salute" to those battling the COVID-19 pandemic, Tuesday, April 28, 2020, in New York. The salute was planned to honor frontline medics, doctors, first responders, and essential personnel who have cared for the sick and dying during the crisis. (AP Photo/Kathy Willens)
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A Navy first: Woman pilot joins Blue Angels flight squadronScott Roth
The Navy's Blue Angels and the Air Force's Thunderbirds conduct "a collaborative salute" to honor those battling the COVID-19 pandemic with a flyover New York and New Jersey on Tuesday, April 28, 2020. (Photo by Scott Roth/Invision/AP)
Scott RothThe Navy's Blue Angels and the Air Force's Thunderbirds conduct "a collaborative salute" to honor those battling the COVID-19 pandemic with a flyover New York and New Jersey on Tuesday, April 28, 2020. (Photo by Scott Roth/Invision/AP)
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A Navy first: Woman pilot joins Blue Angels flight squadronScott Roth
Spectators watch The Navy's Blue Angels and the Air Force's Thunderbirds conduct "a collaborative salute" to honor those battling the COVID-19 pandemic with a flyover New York and New Jersey on Tuesday, April 28, 2020. (Photo by Scott Roth/Invision/AP)
Scott RothSpectators watch The Navy's Blue Angels and the Air Force's Thunderbirds conduct "a collaborative salute" to honor those battling the COVID-19 pandemic with a flyover New York and New Jersey on Tuesday, April 28, 2020. (Photo by Scott Roth/Invision/AP)
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A Navy first: Woman pilot joins Blue Angels flight squadronSteven M. Falk
U.S. Navy Blue Angels and U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds fly over Cooper hospital in Camden, N.J. to honor first responders, doctors and nurses, Tuesday, April 28, 2020. (Steven M. Falk/The Philadelphia Inquirer via AP)
Steven M. FalkU.S. Navy Blue Angels and U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds fly over Cooper hospital in Camden, N.J. to honor first responders, doctors and nurses, Tuesday, April 28, 2020. (Steven M. Falk/The Philadelphia Inquirer via AP)
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A Navy first: Woman pilot joins Blue Angels flight squadronScott Roth
The Navy's Blue Angels and the Air Force's Thunderbirds conduct "a collaborative salute" to honor those battling the COVID-19 pandemic with a flyover New York and New Jersey on Tuesday, April 28, 2020. (Photo by Scott Roth/Invision/AP)
Scott RothThe Navy's Blue Angels and the Air Force's Thunderbirds conduct "a collaborative salute" to honor those battling the COVID-19 pandemic with a flyover New York and New Jersey on Tuesday, April 28, 2020. (Photo by Scott Roth/Invision/AP)
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A Navy first: Woman pilot joins Blue Angels flight squadronCharlie Riedel
People maintain their distance as they wait for a flyover from nearby Whiteman Air Force base Tuesday, April 28, 2020, at the Liberty Memorial in Kansas City, Mo. The flyover included one B-2 Spirit stealth bomber, two A-10 Thunderbolt IIs and four T-38 Talons and flew over several metro hospitals as a tribute to healthcare workers fighting COVID-19. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)
Charlie RiedelPeople maintain their distance as they wait for a flyover from nearby Whiteman Air Force base Tuesday, April 28, 2020, at the Liberty Memorial in Kansas City, Mo. The flyover included one B-2 Spirit stealth bomber, two A-10 Thunderbolt IIs and four T-38 Talons and flew over several metro hospitals as a tribute to healthcare workers fighting COVID-19. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)
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A Navy first: Woman pilot joins Blue Angels flight squadronCharlie Riedel
A B-2 Spirit stealth bomber flies overhead as part of a flyover from nearby Whiteman Air Force base Tuesday, April 28, 2020, in Kansas City, Mo. The flyover included the B-2, two A-10 Thunderbolt IIs and four T-38 Talons and flew over several metro hospitals as a tribute to healthcare workers fighting COVID-19. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)
Charlie RiedelA B-2 Spirit stealth bomber flies overhead as part of a flyover from nearby Whiteman Air Force base Tuesday, April 28, 2020, in Kansas City, Mo. The flyover included the B-2, two A-10 Thunderbolt IIs and four T-38 Talons and flew over several metro hospitals as a tribute to healthcare workers fighting COVID-19. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)
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A Navy first: Woman pilot joins Blue Angels flight squadronCharlie Riedel
People watch from the Liberty Memorial as a B-2 Spirit stealth bomber flies departs as part of a flyover from nearby Whiteman Air Force base Tuesday, April 28, 2020, in Kansas City, Mo. The flyover included the B-2, two A-10 Thunderbolt IIs and four T-38 Talons and flew over several metro hospitals as a tribute to healthcare workers fighting COVID-19. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)
Charlie RiedelPeople watch from the Liberty Memorial as a B-2 Spirit stealth bomber flies departs as part of a flyover from nearby Whiteman Air Force base Tuesday, April 28, 2020, in Kansas City, Mo. The flyover included the B-2, two A-10 Thunderbolt IIs and four T-38 Talons and flew over several metro hospitals as a tribute to healthcare workers fighting COVID-19. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)
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A Navy first: Woman pilot joins Blue Angels flight squadronCharlie Riedel
Kansas City Royals team photographer Jason Hanna photographs a B-2 Spirit stealth bomber in the skies above downtown as part of a flyover from nearby Whiteman Air Force base Tuesday, April 28, 2020, in Kansas City, Mo. The flyover included the B-2, two A-10 Thunderbolt IIs and four T-38 Talons and flew over several metro hospitals as a tribute to healthcare workers fighting COVID-19. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)
Charlie RiedelKansas City Royals team photographer Jason Hanna photographs a B-2 Spirit stealth bomber in the skies above downtown as part of a flyover from nearby Whiteman Air Force base Tuesday, April 28, 2020, in Kansas City, Mo. The flyover included the B-2, two A-10 Thunderbolt IIs and four T-38 Talons and flew over several metro hospitals as a tribute to healthcare workers fighting COVID-19. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)
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A Navy first: Woman pilot joins Blue Angels flight squadronCPO Paul Archer/DVIDS U.S. Navy via AP
In this photo released by Defense Visual Information Distribution Service, Lt. Amanda Lee is shown.Â
CPO Paul Archer/DVIDS U.S. Navy via APIn this photo released by Defense Visual Information Distribution Service, Lt. Amanda Lee is shown.Â
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