United States Navy Blue Angels Officers

THEU.S.NAVYFLIGHTDEMONSTRATIONSQUADRON,THEBLUEANGELS-OFFICERS
CDRRyanJ.Bernacchi-U.S.Navy
FlightLeader/CommandingOfficer
CommanderRyanBernacchiisanativeofLosAltos,CaliforniaandgraduatedfromMountainViewHigh
Schoolin1992,whereheletteredinwaterpoloandswimming.HeattendedtheUniversityofCalifornia,
San Diego, and graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Anthropology through the Naval Reserve
OfficerTrainingCorpsin1996,andwascommissionedanEnsignintheU.S.Navy.
Ryan reported to Naval Air Station (NAS) Pensacola, Florida, for aviation indoctrination in November
1996.HecompletedprimaryflighttrainingintheT-34CTurboMentoratNASWhitingField,Florida,and
completedintermediateandadvancedflighttrainingintheT-2CBuckeyeandT-45CGoshawkatNAS
Meridian,Mississippi.HereceivedhiswingsofgoldinApril1999.
Ryan then reported to Strike Fighter Squadron 125 (VFA-125), the “Rough Raiders,” at NAS Lemoore,
California,forinitialtrainingintheF/A-18Hornet.RyanreportedtoStrikeFighterSquadron113(VFA113), the “Stingers,” at NAS Lemoore, in January 2000, where he served as the Aircraft Division Officer, Air-to-Air Weapons Training
Officer,AssistantOperationsOfficer,andLandingSignalsOfficer.
RyancompletedtwoWesternPacific/ArabianGulfdeploymentswithUSSAbrahamLincoln(CVN72)andflewinsupportofOperations
SouthernWatch,EnduringFreedom,andIraqiFreedom.
Ryan was selected to attend the U.S. Navy Fighter Weapons School (TOPGUN), NAS Fallon, Nevada, in July 2003 and graduated in
September2003.RyanthenjoinedtheTOPGUNstaffasaninstructorpilotandservedastheNavyandMarineCorpssubjectmatter
expertinGPSguidedweapons.
RyanreturnedtothefleetinMay2006astheTrainingOfficerforStrikeFighterSquadron87(VFA-87),the“GoldenWarriors,”atNAS
Oceana,Virginia.InNovember2007,RyanreportedasaDepartmentHeadforStrikeFighterSquadron81(VFA-81),the“Sunliners,”at
NASOceana,whereheservedasSafetyOfficer,OperationsOfficer,andMaintenanceOfficer.RyandeployedwithUSSNimitz(CVN68),
totheWesternPacificwhileassignedtoVFA-81.
RyanattendedtheNavalWarCollege,Newport,RhodeIsland,andgraduatedwithdistinctionwithaMasterofArtsdegreeinNational
SecurityandStrategicStudiesin2010.InNovember2010hereportedtotheChiefofNavalOperationsStrategicStudiesGroupasa
DirectorFellow,whereheworkedonadvancedoperationalconceptsfortheNavy.
RyanreportedasExecutiveOfficerofStrikeFighterSquadron192(VFA-192),the“WorldFamousGoldenDragons,”atNASLemoore,
California, in March 2012, and deployed to the Western Pacific/Arabian Gulf aboard USS John C. Stennis (CVN 74) in support of
OperationEnduringFreedom.HethencommandedVFA-192throughatransitiontotheF/A-18ESuperHornet.
Following his command tour with VFA-192, Ryan served as a Federal Executive Fellow at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology,
Cambridge,Massachusetts.
RyanjoinedtheBlueAngelsinSeptember2015.Hehasaccumulatedmorethan3,000flighthoursand600carrier-arrestedlandings.
His decorations include the Meritorious Service Medal, one Individual Air Medal with Combat “V” (three Strike Flight), four Navy
CommendationMedals,onewithCombat“V,”andnumerousunit,campaign,andserviceawards.
LTMattSuyderhoud-U.S.Navy
RightWing
LieutenantMattSuyderhoudisanativeofHonoluluandgraduatedfromMaryknollHighSchoolin2001,
where he lettered in volleyball and water polo. He attended Saint Louis University, St. Louis, and
graduated Magna Cum Laude with a Bachelor of Science in Aviation Science in June 2005. Matt then
reported to Naval Air Station (NAS) Pensacola, Florida, for Officer Candidate School and in 2006 was
commissionedanEnsignintheU.S.Navy.
MattreportedtoNASPensacolaforaviationindoctrination.Hecompletedprimaryflighttraininginthe
T-34C Mentor at NAS Whiting Field, Florida, then transferred to NAS Kingsville, Texas, for advanced
flighttrainingintheT-45AGoshawk.HereceivedhiswingsofgoldinJanuary2008.
Matt then reported to Strike Fighter Squadron 122 (VFA-122), the “Flying Eagles,” at NAS Lemoore,
California,forinitialtrainingintheF/A-18E/FSuperHornet.HereportedtoStrikeFighterSquadron154
(VFA-154), the “Black Knights,” at NAS Lemoore in January 2009, where he served as Legal Officer,
MoraleOfficer,AviationLifeSupportSystems/CorrosionControl/AirframesBranchOfficer,Air-to-GroundTrainingOfficer,andLanding
Signals Officer (LSO). While assigned to VFA-154, Matt completed two deployments aboard USS John C. Stennis (CVN 74) and USS
RonaldReagan(CVN76),andflewinsupportofOperationsEnduringFreedomandNewDawn.Healsoparticipatedinthemultilateral
internationalexercisesFoalEagle,KeenSword,RIMPAC,andNorthernEdge.
MattreportedtoTrainingSquadron22(VT-22),the“GoldenEagles,”atNASKingsvilleinFebruary2012asaninstructorpilotandalso
servedastheStrategicOutreachCoordinator,AssistantStudentControlOfficer,InternationalMilitaryStudentLiaison,Air-to-AirPhase
Head,andLSO.
MattjoinedtheBlueAngelsinSeptember2014.Hehasaccumulatedmorethan2,300flighthoursandhasover320carrier-arrested
landings, including arrested landings on every aircraft carrier in the U.S. Navy. His decorations include, two Navy and Marine Corps
AchievementMedals,andvariouspersonalandunitawards.
LTLanceBenson-U.S.Navy
LeftWing
LieutenantLanceBensonisanativeofMcPherson,Kansas,andgraduatedfromMcPhersonHighSchool
in2002,whereheletteredinfootball.HeattendedKansasStateUniversity(KSU),Salina,Kansas,and
graduatedwithaBachelorofSciencedegreeinAirwaySciencewithaMinorinBusinessinMay2006.
After serving as a Flight instructor at KSU for three years, Lance reported to Naval Air Station (NAS)
Pensacola,Florida,forOfficerCandidateSchoolandwascommissionedanEnsignintheU.S.Navy.
LanceReportedtoNASPensacolaforaviationindoctrinationinNovember2006.Hecompletedprimary
flighttrainingintheT-6TexanIIatVanceAirForceBase,Enid,Oklahoma,andcompletedintermediate
andadvancedflighttrainingintheT-45CGoshawkatNASMeridian,Mississippi.Heearnedhiswingsof
goldinMarch2009.
LancethenreportedtoTrainingSquadronNINE(VT-9),the“Tigers,”atNASMeridianasaninstructor
pilot.HereportedtoStrikeFighterAttackSquadron106(VFA-106),the“Gladiators,”atNASOceana,Virginia,inApril2010forinitial
trainingintheF/A-18FSuperHornet.
LancereportedtoStrikeFighterAttackSquadron22(VFA-22),the“FightingRedcocks,”atNASLemoore,California,inFebruary2011,
whereheservedasLandingSignalsOfficer(LSO),AircraftDivisionOfficer,PersonnelOfficer,MessOfficer,andJointMissionPlanning
SystemSubjectMatterExpert.WhileassignedtoVFA-22,LancecompletedtwodeploymentsaboardUSSCarlVinson(CVN70),andflew
insupportofOperationsNewDawnandEnduringFreedom.
LancethenreportedtoTrainingSquadronSEVEN(VT-7),the“Eagles,”atNASMeridianinMarch2014asaninstructorpilot,andalso
servedasLSO,PublicAffairsOfficer,MessOfficer,andFormationStageHead.
LancejoinedtheBlueAngelsinSeptember2015.Hehasaccumulatedmorethan1,600flighthoursand200carrier-arrestedlandings.
His decorations include a Strike Flight Air Medal, three Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medals, and various personal and unit
awards.
LTAndyTalbott-U.S.Navy
Slot
LieutenantAndyTalbottisanativeofSedan,Kansas,andgraduatedfromSedanHighSchoolin2002,
whereheletteredinfootball.HeattendedKansasStateUniversity(KSU),Salina,Kansas,andgraduated
with a Bachelor of Science degree in Airway Science in December 2005. After serving as a Flight
InstructoratKSUfortwoyears,AndyreportedtoNavalAirStation(NAS)Pensacola,Florida,forOfficer
CandidateSchoolandwascommissionedanEnsignintheU.S.Navy.
AndyreportedtoNASPensacolaforaviationindoctrinationinApril2006.Hecompletedprimaryflight
trainingintheT-6TexanIIatVanceAirForceBase,Enid,Oklahoma,andcompletedintermediateand
advancedflighttrainingintheT-45CGoshawkNASMeridian,Mississippi.Heearnedhiswingsofgoldin
February2008.AndythenreportedtoTrainingSquadronSEVEN(VT-7),the“Eagles,”atNASMeridian
asaninstructorpilot.HereportedtoStrikeFighterAttackSquadron106(VFA-106),the“Gladiators,”at
NASOceana,Virginia,inMarch2009forinitialtrainingintheF/A-18ESuperHornet.
AndyreportedtoStrikeFighterAttackSquadron136(VFA-136),the“Knighthawks,”atNASOceanainDecember2010,whereheserved
as Landing Signals Officer (LSO), Assistant Operations Officer, Avionics/Armament Division Officer, Schedules Officer, Line Division
Officer,PublicAffairsOfficer,MessOfficer,andJointMissionPlanningSystemSubjectMatterExpert.WhileassignedtoVFA-136,Andy
completed two deployments aboard USS Enterprise (CVN 65), and flew in support of Operations New Dawn and Enduring Freedom.
AndyreturnedtoVFA-106inMarch2013asaninstructorpilot,andalsoservedasLSOandtheSquadronAviationSafetyOfficer.
Andy joined the Blue Angels in September 2014. He has accumulated more than 2,300 flight hours and has 335 carrier-arrested
landings.HisdecorationsincludeaStrikeFlightAirMedal,fourNavyandMarineCorpsAchievementMedals,andvariouspersonaland
unitawards.
LTRyanChamberlain-U.S.Navy
LeadSolo
LieutenantRyanChamberlainisanativeofBloomington,Illinois,andgraduatedfromCentralCatholic
HighSchoolin2002.HeattendedSouthernIllinoisUniversity,Carbondale,Illinois,andgraduatedwitha
BachelorofSciencedegreeinAviationManagementin2003.
Afterflyingforcommercialairlinesfortwoyears,RyanreportedtoNavalAirStation(NAS)Pensacola,
Florida,forofficercandidateschoolandwascommissionedanEnsignintheU.S.Navy.Ryanreportedto
NAS Pensacola for aviation indoctrination in July 2006. He completed primary flight training in the T34C Turbo Mentor at NAS Corpus Christi, Texas, and completed advanced flight training in the T-45A
GoshawkatNASKingsville,Texas.HereceivedhiswingsofgoldinNovember2008.
Ryan then reported to Strike Fighter Squadron 122 (VFA-122), the “Flying Eagles,” at NAS Lemoore,
California,forinitialtrainingintheF/A-18E/FSuperHornet.HereportedtoStrikeFighterSquadron14
(VFA-14),the“Tophatters,”atNASLemoore,inOctober2009,whereheservedasPublicAffairsOfficer,AircraftDivisionOfficer,Line
DivisionOfficer,NavalAirTrainingandOperationProceduresStandardizationOfficer,AssistantOperationsOfficer,andLandingSignals
Officer.WhileassignedtoVFA-14,RyancompleteddeploymentsintheWesternPacificandMiddleEastaboardUSSNimitz(CVN68)
andUSSJohnC.Stennis(CVN74)insupportofOperationsEnduringandIraqiFreedom.
RyanjoinedtheBlueAngelsinSeptember2012.Hehasaccumulatedmorethan2,200flighthoursand300carrier-arrestedlandings.
HisdecorationsincludetwoStrikeFlightAirMedals,twoNavyandMarineCorpsAchievementMedals,andvariouspersonalandunit
awards.
CDRFrankWeisser-U.S.Navy
OpposingSolo
CommanderFrankWeisserisanativeofAtlantaandgraduatedfromNorthSpringsHighSchoolin1996,
whereheletteredinfootballandtrack.HeattendedtheU.S.NavalAcademy,Annapolis,Maryland,
graduatedwithaBachelorofSciencedegreeinMathematicsin2000,andwascommissionedasanEnsign
intheU.S.Navy.
FrankreportedtoNavalAirStation(NAS)Pensacola,Florida,foraviationindoctrinationinOctober2000.
He completed primary flight training in the T-34C Mentor at NAS Whiting Field, Florida, and completed
advancedflighttrainingintheT-2CBuckeyeandT-45CGoshawkatNASMeridian,Mississippi.Hereceived
hiswingsofgoldinNovember2002.
FrankwaschosenasaSelectivelyRetainedGraduateandremainedwithTrainingSquadronSEVEN(VT-7),
the"Eagles,"atNASMeridianasaninstructorpilotfortheT-45C.WhileassignedtoVT-7,heservedastheSquadronFacilitiesManager
and Schedules Officer. In June 2004, Frank reported to Strike Fighter Squadron ONE ZERO SIX (VFA-106), the "Gladiators," at NAS
Oceana,Virginia,forinitialtrainingintheF/A-18CHornet.
FrankthenreportedtoStrikeFighterSquadronEIGHTYSEVEN(VFA-87),the"GoldenWarriors,"atNASOceana,Virginia,inApril2005,
whereheservedasSchedulesOfficer,AV/ARMDivisionOfficer,NavalAirTrainingandOperationProceduresStandardizationOfficer,
AssistantOperationsOfficer,andLandingSignalsOfficer.WhileassignedtoVFA-87,FrankdeployedaboardUSSTheodoreRoosevelt
(CVN71)inAugust2005andflew34combatmissionsinsupportofOperationIraqiFreedom.HewasawardedtheLieutenantCharles
Nelson Award for Junior Officer Leadership, which contributed to VFA-87 winning a 2005 and 2006 Battle "E" Award for sustained
superiorperformanceinanoperationalenvironmentduringhistenure.
FrankwasselectedtojointheBlueAngelsinSeptember2007andservedastheNarrator,KeyInfluencerandVIPPilot,OpposingSolo,
and Lead Solo from 2008-2010. While assigned to the Blue Angels, he earned a master's degree in Systems Analysis from the Naval
PostgraduateSchool,Monterey,California,inSeptember2009.
FrankreturnedtothefleetinFebruary2011asaDepartmentHeadforStrikeFighterSquadronNINESEVEN(VFA-97),the"Warhawks,"
at NAS Lemoore, California, where he served as Safety Officer, Administrative Officer, Operations Officer, and Maintenance Officer.
WhileassignedtoVFA-97,FrankcompletedtwodeploymentsaboardUSSJohnC.Stennis(CVN74)totheWesternPacific/ArabianGulf
insupportofOperationNewDawnandOperationEnduringFreedom.VFA-97wona2013Battle"E"Awardduringhistenure.
FrankthenreportedtoNATOSchoolOberammergau,Germany,inDecember2013.Whileassignedtotheschool,FrankwasDirectorof
Mobile Training and Education, oversaw all NATO School Oberammergau training activities throughout the world, and personally
conductedtraininginEthiopia,France,Germany,andUkraine.
FrankrejoinedtheBlueAngelsinJuly2016.Hehasaccumulatedmorethan4,000flighthoursand400carrier-arrestedlandings.His
decorations include the Defense Meritorious Service Medal, the Meritorious Service Medal, three Strike Flight Air Medals, two Navy
CommendationMedals,andvariouspersonalandunitawards.
LTTylerDavies-U.S.Navy
Narrator
LieutenantTylerDaviesisanativeofKennesaw,Georgia,andgraduatedfromNorthCobbHighSchool
inJune2000.HeenlistedintheU.S.NavyandcompletedbasictrainingatRecruitTrainingCommand
GreatLakes,Illinois,inAugust2000.
TylercompletedAviationElectronicsTechnician“A”SchoolatNavalAviationTechnicalTrainingCenter,
Naval Air Station (NAS) Pensacola, Florida, and reported to NAS Oceana, Virginia, for Radar
Communications(RADCOM)“C”school.UponcompletionofRADCOMtraining,hereportedtoAviation
Intermediate Maintenance Department (AIMD), NAS Oceana, in June 2001. While assigned to AIMD
Oceana, he completed deployments aboard USS George Washington (CVN-73) and USS Enterprise
(CVN-65)insupportofmultipleNATOoperations.
Tyler reported to Fleet Readiness Center (FRC) Southwest Site Point Mugu, California, in September
2004,whereheservedintheAvionicsDivision.In2007,hewasselectedasFRCSouthwestSitePointMuguandCommanderAirborne
Early Warning Wing Sailor of the Year. While assigned to FRC, Tyler attended the University of La Verne, Riverside, California, and
graduatedwithaBachelorofSciencedegreeinOrganizationalManagementinMay2007.HethenreportedtoNavalStationNewport,
RhodeIsland,forOfficerCandidateSchoolinSeptember2007andwascommissionedasanEnsignintheU.S.Navy.
TylerreportedtoNASPensacolaforaviationindoctrinationinJanuary2008.HecompletedprimaryflighttrainingintheT-34CMentor
at NAS Whiting Field, Florida, then transferred to NAS Meridian, Mississippi, for advanced flight training in the T-45C Goshawk. He
receivedhiswingsofgoldinJune2010.TylerthenreportedtoStrikeFighterSquadron106(VFA-106),the“Gladiators,”atNASOceana,
inJuly2010forinitialtrainingintheF/A-18E/FSuperHornet.
TylerreportedtoStrikeFighterSquadron22(VFA-22),the“FightingRedcocks,”atNASLemoore,California,inAugust2011,wherehe
servedasAssistantLineDivisionOfficer,DrugandAlcoholProgramAwarenessOfficer,MotorcycleSafetyOfficer,SchedulesOfficer,Airto-Ground Training Officer, and a squadron Forward-Air Controller (Airborne) (FAC(A)). While assigned to VFA-22, Tyler deployed
aboardUSSCarlVinson(CVN-70)andflewinsupportofOperationEnduringFreedom.
TylerthenreportedtoStrikeFighterSquadron106(VFA-106),the“Gladiators,”atNASOceanainAugust2014asaninstructorpilotand
also served as Auxiliary Retail Outlet Officer, Drug and Alcohol Program Awareness Officer, Suicide Prevention Coordinator, FAC(A),
StrikeRepresentative,andAssistantStrikePhaseHead.
TylerjoinedtheBlueAngelsinSeptember2015.Hehasaccumulatedmorethan1,200flighthoursand220carrierarrestedlandings.His
decorationsincludefourNavyandMarineCorpsAchievementMedals,andvariouspersonalandunitawards.
CaptCorrieMays-U.S.MarineCorps
EventsCoordinator
Captain Corrie Mays is a native of Cape Cod, Massachusetts, and graduated from Barnstable High
Schoolin1998,wheresheletteredinlacrosseandfieldhockey.SheattendedtheUniversityofGeorgia,
Athens, Georgia, and graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in Environmental Economics and
Managementin2003.CorriewascommissionedaSecondLieutenantintheU.S.MarineCorpsthrough
OfficerCandidateSchoolin2006,reportedtoTheBasicSchoolatMarineCorpsBaseQuantico,Virginia,
andcompletedtraininginJuly2007.
CorriethenreportedtoNavalAirStation(NAS)Pensacola,Florida,forAviationPre-FlightIndoctrination
andcompletedNavalFlightOfficerTrainingintheT-6Texan,T-1Jayhawk,T-39Saberliner,andtheT-45
Goshawk. She received her wings of gold in November 2009. Corrie then reported to Marine Fighter
AttackTrainingSquadron101(VMFAT-101),the“Sharpshooters,”atMarineCorpsAirStation(MCAS)
Miramar,California,forinitialtrainingintheF/A-18Hornet.ShethenreportedtoMarineAllWeather
FighterAttackSquadron225(VMFA(AW)-225),the“Vikings,”atMCASMiramarinOctober2011,where
she served as a Weapons Systems Officer, Airframes Division Officer and Ground Safety Officer. While assigned to VMFA(AW)-225,
Corrie completed one Unit Deployment Program and one combat deployment to the Middle East Area of Operation (AO). She also
servedastheAirWatchOfficerfor1stMarineDivision(Forward),andparticipatedinmanymultinationalexercisesaroundtheworld,
includingRIMPAC,aswellasotherexercisesintheWesternPacificandMiddleEasternAO.
CorriejoinedtheBlueAngelsinSeptember2014.Shehasaccumulatedmorethan800flighthoursandearnedvariousunitawards.
CDRBobFlynn-U.S.Navy
ExecutiveOfficer
CommanderBobFlynnisanativeofMoorestown,NewJersey,andgraduatedfromMoorestownHigh
Schoolin1987,wherehewascaptainofthevarsityfootballteamandletteredinfootball,track,and
baseball. He attended the U.S. Naval Academy, Annapolis, Maryland, where he lettered in lacrosse,
graduatedwithaBachelorofSciencedegreeinEnglishin1992,andwascommissionedanEnsigninthe
U.S.Navy.
BobreportedtoNavalAirStation(NAS)Pensacola,Florida,foraviationindoctrinationinJune1992.He
completednavalflightofficertrainingintheT-34CMentor,T-39G/NSaberliner,andtheT-2CBuckeye.
HereceivedhiswingsofgoldinMarch1994.
BobthenreportedtoSeaControlSquadron41(VS-41),the“Shamrocks,”atNASNorthIsland,California,
for initial training in the S-3B Viking. He reported to Sea Control Squadron 30 (VS-30), the
“Diamondcutters,”atNASCecilField,Florida,inAugust1995,whereheservedastheSquadronLegal
Officer,LineDivisionOfficer,andQualityAssuranceOfficer.WhileassignedtoVS-30,BobcompletedaMediterraneanSeaandArabian
Gulfdeploymentin1996withUSSEnterprise(CVN65),andflewinsupportofOperationDecisiveEndeavorintheformerYugoslavia
andOperationSouthernWatchinIraq.Bobdeployedin1998withUSSDwightD.Eisenhower(CVN69)andflewagaininsupportof
OperationSouthernWatchinIraq.
BobreportedtoTrainingSquadron86(VT-86),the“Sabrehawks,”atNASPensacolainFebruary1999andservedasAssistantStudent
ControlOfficer,StrikeSchedulesOfficer,AssistantOperationsOfficer,andNavalAirTrainingandOperatingProceduresStandardization
Evaluator.WhileassignedtoVT-86,BobcompletedaMasterofScienceinManagementfromTroyUniversity.In2002Bobattended
NavalWarCollege(NWC),Newport,RhodeIsland,andearnedamaster’sdegreeinNationalSecurityandStrategicStudies.Whileatthe
NWC,BobwasselectedasaDirector’sFellowfortheChiefofNavalOperationsStrategicStudiesGroup.
Bob returned to the fleet in May 2004 as a Department Head for Sea Control Squadron 22 (VS-22), the “Checkmates,” at NAS
Jacksonville,Florida,whereheservedasSafetyOfficerandMaintenanceOfficer.TheCheckmateswonboththeSafety“S”and“Golden
Wrench”awardsduringhistenure.WhileassignedtoVS-22,BobdeployedwithUSSHarryS.Truman(CVN75)andflewinsupportof
OperationIraqiFreedom.
BobreportedtotheNavyWarfareDevelopmentCommandinDecember2005,servedascoordinatorforAirandMaritimeOperations
CenterDoctrine.
Bob deployed for a ground tour in Iraq as part of Joint Counter-Radio Controlled Improvised Explosive Device Electronic Warfare
CompositeSquadronONE(JCCS-1)in2009,wherehewasOfficer-in-ChargeofJCCS-1HeadquartersforMulti-NationalDivisionSouth-
Basra,Iraq.AfterhisreturnfromIraq,BobreturnedtoNWCin2010asamilitaryprofessorintheStrategyandPolicyDepartment.Bob
joined the Blue Angels in November 2014. He has accumulated more than 2,500 flight hours and 400 carrier-arrested landings. His
decorationsincludetheBronzeStar,twoMeritoriousServiceMedals,twoNavyCommendationMedals,andvariousunit,personaland
serviceawards.
CaptKatieHiggins-U.S.MarineCorps
C-130Pilot
Captain Katie Higgins is a native of Severna Park, Maryland, and graduated from W.T. Woodson High
Schoolin2004.SheattendedtheU.S.NavalAcademy,Annapolis,Maryland,graduatedwithaBachelor
ofSciencedegreeinPoliticalSciencein2008,andwascommissionedaSecondLieutenantintheU.S.
Marine Corps. Katie then attended Georgetown University, Washington, D.C., and graduated with a
MastersofArtsinInternationalSecurityin2009.
Katie reported to Naval Air Station (NAS) Pensacola, Florida, for aviation indoctrination in November
2009. She completed primary flight training in the T-6B Texan II at NAS Whiting Field, Florida, and
completedintermediateandadvancedtrainingintheT-44PegasuswhileassignedtoTrainingSquadron
31(VT-31)atNASCorpusChristi,Texas.ShereceivedherwingsofgoldinOctober2011.
Katie then reported to 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing at Marine Corps Air Station (MCAS) Cherry Point,
North Carolina, for initial training in the KC-130J Hercules. She reported to Marine Aerial Refueler
Transport Squadron (VMGR-252), “Otis,” at MCAS Cherry Point, in May 2012, to begin training in the
KC-130JHarvestHerculesArmamentWeaponsKit.WhileassignedtoVMGR-252,KatiedeployedtoAfghanistaninsupportofOperation
Enduring Freedom, and to Africa with Special Purpose Marine Air-Ground Task Force Crisis-Response in support of contingency
operations.
Katiehasflownalmost400combathoursinsupportofnumerousoperationsandexercisesinAfghanistan,Djibouti,France,Greece,
SouthSudan,Spain,andUganda.
KatiejoinedtheBlueAngelsinSeptember2014.Shehasaccumulatedmorethan1,200flighthours.HerdecorationsincludefiveAir
Medals,andvariousunitandpersonalawards.
MajMarkHamilton-U.S.MarineCorps
C-130Pilot
MajorMarkHamiltonisanativeofBecker,Minnesota,andgraduatedfromBeckerHighSchoolin1996.
HeattendedPurdueUniversityinWestLafayette,Indiana,andgraduatedwithaBachelorofArtsdegree
inPsychologyin2000.MarkwascommissionedaSecondLieutenantintheU.S.MarineCorpsthrough
the Naval Reserve Officers Training Corps in 2000 and reported to The Basic School at Marine Corps
BaseQuantico,Virginia,tocompletetraining.
MarkreportedtoNavalAirStation(NAS)Pensacola,Florida,foraviationindoctrinationinJanuary2001.
He completed primary flight training in the T-34C Turbo Mentor at NAS Whiting Field, Florida, and
completedadvancedflighttrainingintheT-44PegasuswhileassignedtoTrainingSquadron31(VT-31)
atNASCorpusChristi,Texas.HereceivedhiswingsofgoldinMay2002.
Mark then reported to Marine Aerial Refueler Transport Training Squadron 253 (VMGRT-253), the
“Titans,”atMarineCorpsAirStation(MCAS)CherryPoint,NorthCarolina,forinitialtrainingintheKC130 Hercules. He reported to Marine Aerial Refueler Transport Squadron 252 (VMGR-252), “Otis,” at
MCASCherryPoint,inMay2003,whereheservedasGroundSafetyOfficerandFlightDutyOfficer.WhileassignedtoVMGR-252,Mark
deployedtwicetoAlAsad,Iraq,insupportofOperationIraqiFreedom.
MarkreportedtoMarineAerialRefuelerTransportSquadron152(VMGR-152),the“Sumos,”atMCASFutenma,Japan,in2007,where
heservedasQualityAssuranceOfficerandAssistantMaintenanceOfficer.HealsoattendedWeaponsandTacticsInstructorSchooland
becamethesquadron’sAircrewTrainingOfficer.MarkthenattendedTerminalAttackControlPartySchoolandreportedto8thMarines
inCampLejeune,NorthCarolina,whereheservedasAssistantAirOfficeranddeployedtoHelmandProvince,Afghanistan,insupport
ofOperationEnduringFreedom.
MarkreturnedtoVMGR-252inFebruary2012toserveastheDirectorofSafetyandSurvival.HealsoservedasOfficerinChargefor
VMGR-252DetachmentBravo,whichsupportedthe26thMarineExpeditionaryUnitandthenewly-formedSpecialMarineAirGround
TaskForce–CrisisResponse,andbecameOperationsOfficerforVMGR-252.
Markhasflownmorethan800combathoursandalsosupportednumerousoperationsandexercisesinAlaska,Djibouti,Greece,Guam,
Hawaii, Italy, Iwo Jima, Jordan, Malaysia, Myanmar, Philippines, Republic of the Marshall Islands, Singapore, South Korea, Spain,
Thailand, United Kingdom, and Wake Island. Mark joined the Blue Angels in September 2014. He has accumulated more than 3,700
flight hours. His decorations include twelve Air Medals, three Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medals, the Navy and Marine
CorpsAchievementMedal,andvariouspersonalandunitawards.
MajMarkMontgomery-U.S.MarineCorps
C-130Pilot
Major Mark Montgomery is a native of Cartersville, Georgia, and graduated from Cartersville High
School in 1997, where he lettered in football, wrestling, and track. He attended the University of
Georgia,Athens,Georgia,andgraduatedwithaBachelorofScienceinAgriculturein2001.Markwas
commissioned a Second Lieutenant in the U.S. Marine Corps through the Platoon Leader’s Course in
2002andreportedtoTheBasicSchoolatMarineCorpsBaseQuantico,Virginia,tocompletetraining.
MarkreportedtoNavalAirStation(NAS)Pensacola,Florida,foraviationindoctrinationinApril2003.
HecompletedprimaryflighttrainingintheT-34CTurboMentorwithTrainingSquadron2(VT-2)atNAS
Whiting Field, Florida, and completed intermediate and advanced training in the T-44 Pegasus while
assignedtoTrainingSquadron31(VT-31)atNASCorpusChristi,Texas.Hereceivedhiswingsofgoldin
September2004.
Mark then reported to Marine Aerial Refueler Transport Training Squadron 253 (VMGRT-253) the
“Titans,”atMarineCorpsAirStation(MCAS)CherryPoint,NorthCarolina,forinitialtrainingintheKC130Hercules,whereheservedasaFlightDutyOfficer.HereportedtoMarineAerialRefuelerTransportSquadron(VMGR-252),"Otis,"
atMCASCherryPoint,inFebruary2006,whereheservedasanAdjutant,AircrewTrainingOfficer,andAssistantOperationsOfficer.
WhileassignedtoVMGR-252,MarkdeployedtwicetoIraqinsupportofOperationIraqiFreedom.Hethenreportedto2ndBattalion,
6thMarines,2ndMarineDivisionatCampLejeune,NorthCarolina,inFebruary2010,whereheservedasaForwardAirControllerand
deployedtoAfghanistaninsupportofOperationEnduringFreedom.
MarkreturnedtoVMGR-252inMarch2011,whereheservedasOperationsOfficer,HarvestHerculesArmamentWeaponsKitOfficerin-Charge,MaintenanceOfficer,anddeployedagaintoAfghanistaninsupportofOperationEnduringFreedom.Markhasflownmore
than1200combathours,toincludenumerousoperationsandexercisesinAfghanistan,Iraq,Italy,Morocco,andSpain.
MarkjoinedtheBlueAngelsinSeptember2015.Hehasaccumulatedmorethan2,500flighthours.HisdecorationsincludesixteenAir
Medals, two Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medals, two Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medals, the Combat Action
Ribbon,andvariouspersonalandunitawards.
LTSamuelRose-U.S.Navy
MaintenanceOfficer
LieutenantSamuelRoseisanativeofWhitehouse,Texas,andgraduatedfromWhitehouseHighSchool
in1998.HeenlistedintheU.S.NavyandcompletedbasictrainingatRecruitTrainingCommandGreat
Lakes,Illinois,in1998.
Samuel completed Aviation Structural Mechanic (Structures) "A" School at Naval Aviation Technical
TrainingCenter,Pensacola,Florida,andreportedtoStrikeFighterAttackSquadron106(VFA-106),the
“Gladiators,”atNavalAirStation(NAS)CecilField,Florida,whereheservedintheFirstLieutenant,Line,
andAirframesdivisions.
SamuelreportedtoStrikeFighterSquadronTWO(VF-2),the“BountyHunters,”atNASOceana,Virginia,
in2001,whereheservedasAirframesandLineSupervisor.WhileassignedtoVF-2,hecompletedtwo
deployments to the Western Pacific/Arabian Gulf aboard USS Constellation (CVN 64) in support of
OperationIraqiFreedom,EnduringFreedom,andSouthernWatch.
Samuel reported to the Blue Angels in November 2004, serving as Airframes Leading Petty Officer and Quality Assurance
Representative,aswellasaJetAssistedTake-Off(JATO)SafetyObserver.
Samuel reported to Strike Fighter Squadron 102 (VFA-102), the “Diamondbacks,” at Naval Air Facility Atsugi, Japan, in January 2009,
whereheservedasFlightDeckCoordinator,MaintenanceControl,Airframes,andLineDivisionLeadingPettyOfficer.Whileassignedto
VFA-102,SamueldeployedtotheWesternPacificaboardUSSGeorgeWashington(CVN73)numeroustimes.Thesquadronalsoearned
theBattle"E"award,CNOSafetyawards,andGoldenWrenchawards.
Samuel was commissioned an Ensign in the U.S. Navy in January 2011, through the Limited Duty Officer (LDO) Program. After
completingtheLDOindoctrinationandtheNavalAviationMaintenanceProgramcourse,SamuelreportedtoStrikeFighterSquadron
ONEZEROTHREE(VFA-103),the“JollyRogers”,atNASOceana,Virginia,inApril2011,whereservedastheQualityAssuranceOfficer,
Assistant Maintenance Officer, and Maintenance Material Control Officer. While assigned to VFA-103, he completed two combat
deploymentstotheArabianGulfaboardUSSEisenhower(CVN69)insupportofOperationEnduringFreedom.
SamuelreportedtoFleetReadinessCenterDetachmentJacksonville,inApril2014,whereheservedasAirframesDivisionOfficerand
Quality Assurance Officer. Samuel joined the Blue Angels in September 2015. His decorations include three Navy and Marine Corps
CommendationMedals,sixNavyandMarineCorpsAchievementMedals,andvariouspersonalandunitawards.
LCDRJoeSchwartz-U.S.Navy
FlightSurgeon
Lieutenant Commander Joe Schwartz is a native of Arlington, Virginia, and graduated from Bishop
O’Connell High School in 1998, where he lettered in football and crew. He attended the University of
NotreDame,SouthBend,Indiana,andgraduatedwithaBachelorofSciencedegreeinBiologyin2002.
JoeinternedasaresearchassistantattheNationalInstitutesofHealthinBethesda,Maryland,andin
2003enrolledatVirginiaCommonwealthUniversity(VCU),Richmond,Virginia,tostudyphysiology.He
continuedattheVCUSchoolofPublicHealthandgraduatedwithaMastersDegreeinPublicHealthin
2005.
In August 2005, Joe was accepted for the Navy Health Professions Scholarship Program to study
medicine at New York Medical College, Valhalla, New York, and graduated with an M.D. in 2009. He
reported to Navy Medical Center San Diego as a General Surgery Intern in June 2009. Following his
internship,JoewasassignedtotheNavalAirStation(NAS)NorthIslandBranchMedicalClinic,Coronado,
California.
Joe reported to the Naval Aerospace Medical Institute at NAS Pensacola, Florida, for flight surgeon training in October 2010. He
receivedhisNavalFlightSurgeonwingsinMay2011andwaspresentedwiththeSurgeonGeneral’sAwardforhisclass.
In June 2011, Joe reported to Electronic Attack Squadron ONE THREE TWO (VAQ- 132), the “Scorpions,” at NAS Whidbey Island,
Washington. He joined VAQ-132 on deployment at Aviano Air Base, Italy, in support of NATO Operation Unified Protector. While
assigned to VAQ-132, Joe completed two additional expeditionary deployments to Misawa Air Base, Japan, and participated in
numerousexercisesinAustralia,Guam,Okinawa,andSouthKorea.
Joe joined the Blue Angels in September 2014. His decorations include a Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal, Navy and
MarineCorpsAchievementMedal,andvariouspersonalandunitawards.
LTGregBollinger-U.S.Navy
SupplyOfficer
LieutenantGregBollingerisanativeofCarbondale,Illinois,andgraduatedfromCarbondaleCommunity
High School in 2001. He enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps and served five years as a Meteorological
WeatherTechnician.HeattendedtheUniversityofMarylandUniversityCollegeAsia,Okinawa,Japan,
and graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree in History in 2006. Greg reported to Officer Candidate
SchoolatNavalStationNewport,RhodeIsland,inDecember2008andwascommissionedanEnsignin
theU.S.Navy.
Greg reported to Navy Supply Corps School, Athens, Georgia, in July 2009, where he completed the
BasicQualificationCourse.HethenreportedtoUSSDenver(LPD9),atNavalBaseSasebo,Japan,where
he served as Food Service, Disbursing, and Sales Officer, and earned his qualification as a Surface
WarfareSupplyCorpsOfficer.DuringhistimeintheForwardDeployedNavalForces,hecompletedfour
patrols and provided logistical, financial, and support services for the Keen Sword, Cobra Gold, and
BalikatanJointMilitaryExercises.
GregreportedtoAirTestandEvaluationSquadronNine,ChinaLake,California,inJanuary2012andservedasMaterialControlOfficer,
Hazardous Material Officer, Project Support Branch Deputy, Physical Readiness Control Officer, and Command Managed Equal
OpportunityManager.HequalifiedasaNavalAviationSupplyOfficerandprovideddirectsupporttoChiefofNavalOperationsassigned
projectsrelatedtotacticsdevelopment,andoperationaltestandevaluationofaircraft,weapons,andweaponssystems.
GregjoinedtheBlueAngelsinSeptember2014.HisdecorationsincludeaNavyandMarineCorpsCommendationMedal,threeNavy
andMarineCorpsAchievementMedals,andvariouspersonalandunitawards.
LTJoeHontz-U.S.Navy
PublicAffairsOfficer
LieutenantJoeHontzisanativeofLongmont,Colorado,andgraduatedfromLyonsHighSchoolin1996,
whereheletteredinfootball,baseball,andbasketball.HeenlistedintheU.S.Navyandcompletedbasic
trainingatRecruitTrainingCommandGreatLakes,Illinois,inFebruary1998.
Joe completed Hospital Corpsman “A” School at Recruit Training Command Great Lakes, Illinois and
served five years. He then attended the University of Colorado, Colorado Springs, Colorado, and
graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree in History in 2006. Joe then reported to Naval Station
Newport,RhodeIsland,forOfficerCandidateSchoolandinJune2008wascommissionedanEnsignin
theU.S.Navy.
Joe reported to Surface Warfare Officer School, Newport, Rhode Island, in July 2008, where he
completedtheBasicQualificationCourse.HethenreportedtoUSSVellaGulf(CG72),atNavalStation
Norfolk,Virginia,whereheservedastheOrdnanceOfficer.WhileassignedtoCG72,Joecompleteda
seven-monthdeploymentwithIwoJimaExpeditionaryStrikeGrouptotheArabianGulf.Hewasthen
assignedtoUSSLeyteGulf(CG55)astheAssistantWeaponsOfficerandearnedhisqualificationasaSurfaceWarfareOfficer.
JoewasacceptedforlateraltransfertothePublicAffairscommunityinMarch2012,andreportedtotheDefenseInformationSchool,
Ft. Meade, Maryland, to complete the Public Affairs Officer Qualification Course. He then reported to Naval Public Affairs Support
ElementEast,Norfolk,Virginia,andservedasPublicAffairsactionofficer,AssistantOfficerinCharge,embarkcoordinatoraboardUSS
Nimitz during Rim of the Pacific Exercise 2012, lead Navy Public Affairs Officer (PAO) for humanitarian assistance and disaster relief
operationsimmediatelyfollowingHurricaneSandy,andAmphibiousSquadronFourPAOwiththeKearsargeAmphibiousReadyGroup
duringaneight-monthdeploymenttotheArabianGulf.
JoereportedtoU.S.NavalForcesCentralCommandinFebruary2014whereheservedasMediaOfficer.
JoejoinedtotheBlueAngelsinSeptember2015.HisdecorationsincludetheNavyandMarineCorpsCommendationMedal,twoNavy
andMarineCorpsAchievementMedals,andvariouspersonalandunitawards.
http://www.blueangels.navy.mil/team/officers.aspx