{"id":32375,"date":"2016-07-20T16:22:06","date_gmt":"2016-07-20T16:22:06","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/navytimes\/uncategorized\/2016\/07\/20\/blue-angels-continue-shows-with-five-jets-announce-2017-line-up\/"},"modified":"2026-08-08T19:36:38","modified_gmt":"2026-08-08T19:36:38","slug":"blue-angels-continue-shows-with-five-jets-announce-2017-line-up","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/navytimes\/news\/your-navy\/2016\/07\/20\/blue-angels-continue-shows-with-five-jets-announce-2017-line-up\/","title":{"rendered":"Blue Angels continue shows with five jets, announce 2017 line-up"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Some seasoned Blue Angels fans may have spotted an unusual sight in the past few weeks:\u00a0you’ve seen a Blue Angels air show in the past few weeks, you’ve probably noticed something odd: <\/span>The team’s\u00a0six-jet\u00a0delta formation is missing a piece.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Navy’s elite demonstration team is flying a reworked routine with only five F\/A-18 Hornets\u00a0since\u00a0returning to their air show season on July 2 following the death of their No. 6 pilot, and has asked a Blues veteran to return to the team\u00a0in a June 3 crash, the Navy’s elite demonstration squadron is flying a reworked version of their routine<\/span>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The investigation into the June 3 crash that killed the opposing solo pilot, Marine Capt. Jeff Kuss, 32, is still ongoing, but a Blue Angels spokesman confirmed that the team will be flying with five pilots for time being.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

“In planning for flying with five jets, the team methodically reintroduced each maneuver during airborne training sessions utilizing a rigorous and detailed training plan approved by the Chief of Naval Air Training,” Lt. Joe Hontz told Navy Times on Tuesday<\/span>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In the mean time, the squadron has announced next year’s newly chosen members and asked a former opposing solo pilot, Cmdr. Frank Weisser, to fill in for the rest of the <\/span>2016 and stay on as lead solo pilot and operations officer next year, Hontz said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Weisser previously flewserved<\/span> as the No. 6 pilot from 2008 to 2010.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

“A timetable for Cmdr. Weisser’s air show debut is dependent on his training with the team,” Hontz said. “The Blue Angels will not perform with Cmdr. Weisser until the appropriate training objectives have been met so that he can integrate safely back into the demonstration.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Blues veteran\u00a0will join a team still reeling from losing Kuss\u00a0during air show practice in Smyrna, Tennessee, early in the summer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

They resumed flying on July 2 at the Traverse City Air Show in Michigan after a three-week break.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

“The team is proud to resume the Blue Angels mission, representing the pride and professionalism of the Navy and Marine Corps, and inspiring a culture of excellence,” said boss Cmdr. Ryan Bernacchi in a June 25 statement. “Our fans and the entire air show industry have been extremely patient as we have navigated through this very difficult loss of our teammate, and for that, we will always be grateful.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Looking ahead<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Six new officers survived Blue Angels selection this month, earning themselves <\/span>a spot in the squadron <\/span>when the Navy’s elite flight demonstration team regroups this fall after the summer show season.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Three new F\/A-18 pilots, a C-130 Fat Albert pilot, an events coordinator, flight surgeon, supply officer and administrative officer were announced Saturday in a Navy release, joining the squadron’s 17-officer contingent. They’ll also be joined by a new executive officer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

“We were extremely fortunate to have so many qualified and motivated applicants apply for the team,” said Lt. Matt Suyderhoud, Right Wing pilot and applications officer for the 2017 team selection. “I am excited to see what next year’s team will be able to accomplish.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The new additions are<\/span>:<\/p>\n\n\n\n