After a long waiting, we finally got the photos of complete Blue Angels team flying Super Hornets.
Last week the Blue Angels had a photo flight in their full demonstration shape with six F-18E/F Super Hornets over NAS Pensacola.
Blue Angels announced their transition to Super Hornets in 2016. After a few delays, the first F-18E wearing Blue Angels colors, landed at team’s home base – Pensacola, at the end of July 2020.
Blue Angels conduct a final flight with Legacy Hornets on Nov 4, 2020 with a flyover Pensacola area.
Almost all 2020 demonstration pilots will continue their duty with the team for 2021 show season, except #5 Lead Solo Cmdr. Benjamin Walborn. Cmdr. Walborn is a former Blue Angels demo pilot from 2010-11 show season.
The first Blue Angels pilots to fly Super Hornets are:
#1 Flight Leader - Navy Cmdr. Brian Kesselring.
#2 Right Wing - Navy Lt. Cmdr. James Haley.
#3 Left Wing - Marine Maj. Frank Zastoupil.
#4 Slot - Navy Lt. Cmdr. Jim Cox.
# 5 Lead Solo - Navy Cmdr. Benjamin Walborn.
#6 Opposing Solo - Navy Lt. Cary Rickoff, of Atlanta, Georgia
2021 air show season is still uncertain due to coronavirus pandemic, but if everything is OK, we expect first public Blue Angels Super Hornet demonstration on April 10, at NAS JAX Air Show in Jacksonville, FL. Not as a usual the first to be at El Centro.
