Chief of Naval Air Training completes certification of Blue Angels

Photo By Petty Officer 1st Class Cody Deccio | EL CENTRO, Calif (March 2, 2023) Chief of Naval Air Training, Rear Adm. Rich Brophy watches a Navy Flight Demonstration Squadron, the Blue Angels practice performance. The Blue Angels perform flight demonstrations at 32 locations across the country to showcase the teamwork and professionalism of the U.S. Navy and Marine Corps to the American public. (U.S. Navy photo by MC1 Cody Deccio/Released)  

CORPUS CHRISTI, TX, UNITED STATES

03.02.2023

Courtesy Story

Chief of Naval Air Training

By CNATRA Public Affairs

CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas – Rear Adm. Richard Brophy, Chief of Naval Air Training (CNATRA), approved the Navy’s annual certification of the Navy Flight Demonstration Squadron, the Blue Angels, on Thursday, March 2. The certification is the culmination of months of intense training and preparation in El Centro, California. Brophy’s certification of the squadron’s readiness and attention to detail signifies the start of a long airshow season that will take the demonstration squadron to 34 flight events in 23 states and one airshow in Canada.

“Every year we put together a team of individuals who embody the highest standards and values of today’s Navy. They arrive in El Centro, and dedicate themselves to pursuing a level of professionalism, precision, and raw focus that is not found anywhere else,” said Brophy. “I’ve had the opportunity to observe the team in action and I am now incredibly excited to announce that the team has been certified after meeting our high demands for readiness, safety, and standardization.”

In addition to the standardized ability to perform high precision aerobatic maneuvers, the flight demonstration team is expected to exemplify elite proficiency in Crew Resource Management (CRM) and Operational Risk Management (ORM). Both are key areas that are evaluated in the CNATRA inspection.

CRM is a skill set required by all aviators to coordinate, balance and utilize available inflight resources for the safe and efficient completion of every flight. Separately, ORM involves a multiple step process to identify, analyze, mitigate and manage individual instances of risk that Naval Aviators may face in flight. These two skillsets are considered crucial to any aviator. The Blue Angels are the Navy’s leading example of how these skills and others can be applied to achieve excellence in the air. Leading up to the inspection, the Blues execute a grueling practice schedule that allows them to perfect these skillsets among many others.

“During our winter training in El Centro, California, we fly two or three practice demonstrations per day, six days a week, to accomplish the 120 training missions needed to perform the demonstration safely,” said Lt. Cmdr. Julius Bratton, Blue Angel #5, lead solo and operations officer. “We dial in our performance, and bond not just as a team, but as a family. This certification captures our ability to perform at a very high level, ensuring we are able to continue our community outreach mission safely and securely.”

In addition to evaluating the performance of the Blues, Brophy met with the team’s leadership, maintenance professionals and other support personnel. Each of these individual members are expected to uphold the same military bearing and dedication to the Navy’s core values as any of the pilots flying in the airshow.

“Blue Angel Sailors and Marines have volunteered for an arduous tour. They spend the vast majority of each year traveling from city to city in order to promote a positive relationship between our citizens and their Navy. A lifestyle that is comparable to a professional sports team that stays on the road for more than 10 months. They sacrifice this time away from their families and their home so that the Blues can continue to inspire many,” said Brophy.

The Blue Angels will open their airshow season with their first official performance on March 11 in El Centro, a community that has continuously played host to many Navy and Marine Corps aircrews in need of an optimal environment to train over the years.

“El Centro is our second home and our Sailors and Marines really enjoy getting out in the community and spending time with people,” said Chief Mass Communication Specialist Michael Russell, Blue Angels command volunteer coordinator. “This year in particular, we had the opportunity to spend time with children at schools and libraries and walk in a parade during the Holtville Carrot Festival.”

Following El Centro, the Blue Angels will continue to perform for communities across the country finishing with the Blue Angels Homecoming airshow, Nov. 1, in Pensacola, Florida.

“I was inspired to fly Navy aircraft watching the Blue Angels as I grew up and it is my hope that every young American who gets a chance to watch the Blues, feels empowered to pursue the same level of excellence in their own lives,” said Brophy, “One day, some of them may join tomorrow’s Navy and continue this proud history of excellence and commitment to our country.”

CNATRA trains, mentors, and delivers the highest quality Naval Aviators who prevail in competition, crisis, and conflict. Headquartered at NAS Corpus Christi, CNATRA comprises five training air wings in Florida, Mississippi, and Texas, which are home to 17 training squadrons. In addition, CNATRA oversees the Navy Flight Demonstration Squadron, the Blue Angels and the training curriculum for all fleet replacement squadrons.

• Date Taken: 03.02.2023
• Date Posted: 03.02.2023 17:37
• Story ID: 439598
• Location: CORPUS CHRISTI, TX, US