For the First Time in Over 7 Decades, the U.S. Navy’s Blue Angels Have Selected a Woman to Fly One of the Six Jets in the Team’s World-Famous Aerial Demonstrations.
LT Amanda Lee, call sign STALIN, is no stranger to the air show industry either. She is currently assigned to the “Gladiators” of Strike Fighter Squadron VFA-106, training fleet replacement aviators and flying the F/A-18 Super Hornet at air shows with the Navy’s Rhino Demo Team, promoting naval aviation and engaging the public at venues where the Blue Angels are not scheduled to appear.
Lee is one of six new officers selected to join the 2023 Blues. Joining her is another Super Hornet pilot, LCDR Thomas Zimmerman, and new “Fat Albert” pilot, Marine Corps CAPT Samuel Petko flying the team’s C-130J Super Hercules. Others include LCDR Brian Vaught as the team’s Events Coordinator, LCDR Greg Jones as Maintenance Officer, and LT Philippe Warren as the new Flight Surgeon.
“We had an overwhelming number of applicants from all over the globe this year,” said CAPT Brian Kesselring, commanding officer and flight leader of the Blue Angels. “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.”
Hundreds of women have served with the Blue Angels over the years in other roles, responsible for everything from critical aircraft maintenance, to Public Affairs, Flight Surgeon, and even flying Fat Albert. But Lee is the first ever to be selected for the jet demonstration.
And while many women fly in the Navy as it is, and have now for many years, in the bigger picture, only a small percentage of military pilots are women. Less than 10% actually, and half that for women fighter pilots. Those numbers, however, are growing. Over 15% of the students training as naval aviators this year are women, and Lee will no doubt inspire a new generation of women aviators when she starts flying with the Blue Angels next year.
The team selects new officers and pilots based on their qualifications, experience, and how well their personalities mix with the rest of the team. It’s all volunteer, there is no extra pay to be a Blue, and selections must be unanimous from the team members making the selections.
The Blue Angels are by far the biggest recruiting tool the Navy has, and the face of Naval and Marine Corps aviation to the general public. They have performed in front of over a half billion spectators since the team was formed back in 1946.
Lee and the other new officers will report to the team this fall for a two-month turnover period as the Blues wrap up their 2022 season. They’ll conduct a five month training program at the team’s home base at NAS Pensacola, before heading to California for winter training at NAF El Centro, where Lee and Zimmerman will learn to fly the demanding demo maneuvers and close formations that have made the Blue Angels the most famous aviation demonstration team in history.
Their first public air show will take place at NAF El Centro, Calif. on March 11, 2023, followed by NAS Point Mugu, Calif. March 18-19.
