Blue Angels Hold Change of Command Ceremony

Photo By Petty Officer 1st Class Cody Deccio | The U.S. Navy Flight Demonstration Squadron, the Blue Angels, held a change of command ceremony Nov. 13 at the National Naval Aviation Museum at Naval Air Station, Pensacola. Cmdr. Alex Armatas relieved Capt. Brian Kesselring as the commanding officer of the Blue Angels. U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Cody Deccio.  

PENSACOLA, FL, UNITED STATES

11.13.2022

Story by Petty Officer 2nd Class Cody Hendrix  

Navy Flight Demonstration Squadron

NAS PENSACOLA, Fla. (NNS) — The U.S. Navy Flight Demonstration Squadron, the Blue
Angels, held a change of command ceremony Nov. 13 at the National Naval Aviation Museum
at Naval Air Station, Pensacola. Cmdr. Alex Armatas relieved Capt. Brian Kesselring as the
commanding officer of the Blue Angels.

Capt. Kesselring assumed command of the Blue Angels Nov. 10, 2019. As the Blue
Angels' commanding officer, Kesselring led a squadron of 154 personnel and served as the
demonstration flight leader, flying the #1 jet. In Kesselring’s next assignment, he will serve as
Deputy, Carrier Air Wing 5 at Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan.

“Serving alongside the phenomenal Sailors and Marines of the Blue Angels has been one
of the greatest honors of my career,” said Kesselring. “Over the past three years, this team paid
tribute to healthcare workers around the Nation during Operation America Strong, successfully
transitioned two new aircraft platforms, and celebrated 75 years of Blue Angel history and
heritage with millions of spectators throughout the country. I look forward to seeing what the
future holds for Cmdr. Armatas.”

Armatas, a native of Skaneateles, New York, joins the Blue Angels after serving as the
commanding officer of the “Gunslingers” of VFA-105, where he deployed aboard USS Dwight
D. Eisenhower (CVN-69) in support of Operation FREEDOM’s SENTINEL. His previous
assignments include multiple squadron tours.

Armatas graduated from the United States Naval Academy in 2002 with a Bachelor of
Science in Aerospace Engineering. He has accumulated more than 4,100 flight hours and has 911
carrier-arrested landings. His decorations include the Meritorious Service Medal, four
Strike/Flight Air Medals, five Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medals, one Navy and
Marine Corps Achievement Medal, and various personal, unit and service awards.

“I look forward to learning from returning team members these next few months,” said
Armatas. “It’s truly an honor to have the opportunity to continue the legacy of leaders that have
shaped this squadron into what it is today. and I am excited to see what the 2023 show
season will hold.”

The mission of the Blue Angels is to showcase the teamwork and professionalism of the
United States Navy and Marine Corps by inspiring a culture of excellence and service to country
through flight demonstrations and community outreach. Since 1946, the Blue Angels have
performed for more than 496 million fans.

For more information about the Blue Angels, including the 2023 and 2024 air show
schedules, visit www.blueangels.navy.mil.

For more information about the U.S. Navy, visit www.navy.mil and the U.S. Marine Corps
at www.usmc.mil. 

—Blue Angels—

• Date Taken: 11.13.2022
• Date Posted: 11.13.2022 18:02
• Story ID: 433169
• Location: PENSACOLA, FL, US