Taken from the Navy Supply Corps Newsletter
http://www.navsup.navy.mil/npi/lintest/mam02/blue.htm

The Blue Angels Supply Team
By LT Trent Kalp, SC, USN, Supply Officer, Blue Angel

About the Team
      You can’t fly without supply. The statement rings true even with the world’s premier flight demonstration squadron, the Blue Angels. In 1946, the CNO, Admiral Chester Nimitz, issued an order to form a flight demonstration team. The mission then as it is now is to showcase to the American public naval aviation and the professional men and women who encompass our Navy and Marine Corps. For the past 56 years, the Blue Angels have impressed and inspired millions of spectators around the country and the world.

      Sixteen officers and 100 enlisted personnel based out of Pensacola, Fla., make up the Navy’s Flight Demonstration Squadron. The squadron operates nine single seat F/A- 18A Hornets and two two-seat F/A-18Bs in addition to a C-130 Hercules. At each air show, the Blue Angels fly six F/A-18As. Blue Angels one through four comprise the "Diamond" while Blue Angels five and six are the "solos." The diamond demonstrates the trademark precision formation flying while the solos demonstrate the high performance capability of the F/A-18. Toward the end of the show, all six aircraft will join to demonstrate the "delta formation." Before the jets take to the air, the Blue Angels start each show with the short-field takeoff capabilities of their C-130, affectionately known as "Fat Albert." At selected show sites Fat Albert will demonstrate the jet assisted take off "JATO." Eight solid fuel rocket motors are attached to the fuselage giving the C-130 the power of a fifth engine. This allows the large transport the ability to take off from short or unimproved runways.
      From March through November of each year the Blue Angels travel to approximately 32 cities performing over 70 air shows across the country. Before beginning the air show season, the team uproots from Pensacola in January and moves to El Centro, Calif. The beautiful weather of the Imperial Valley provides the ideal flying conditions needed to fly two to three times a day, six days a week for three months in order to get the necessary 120 flight hours required before the new team is considered ready. Not only do the new pilots learn how to fly the demonstration, all new team members learn how to become a Blue Angel and develop as a team.
Unique Demands of the Team
      The first air show begins around mid-March and the schedule continues every weekend (with some holiday exceptions) until mid-November. This demanding schedule requires the enlisted team members to be on the road over 150 days and between 200 to 300 days for the officers. Just last year, the Blue Angels op-tempo was recognized and reclassified as "Sea Duty."

      To truly appreciate the challenge of being a Blue Angel consider the following facts. Despite the glossy blue and gold paint scheme, the Blue Angels aircraft are some of the oldest F/A-18s and the oldest C-130 flying in the Navy’s inventory today. Only when an airframe reaches the twilight of its life is it considered for the Blue Angels. A typical F/A-18 Hornet squadron has over 120 maintenance personnel while the Blue Angels have just shy of 100. The squadron is deployed away from home over 300 days a year across the country and into Canada. Despite these significant challenges, the Blue Angels have never cancelled an air show due to maintenance difficulties for the past 56 years!
      A typical week for the team starts on Tuesday with an air show practice over the home field at Pensacola. On Wednesday, the team flies over an outlying field nearby. Wednesday also is the day when Blue Angel 7 and its crew chief depart for the weekend’s show to ensure things are ready for the team’s arrival. Thursday, the team loads up the C-130 and departs for the weekend air show site followed by the jets. Once at the show site, the C-130 is unloaded and preparations are made for the jets’ arrival. The jets will do a familiarization flight of the area then perform a practice show. Friday morning, members of the team will depart for local schools and hospitals to give presentations. A practice show will be flown on Friday for local military, make-a-wish kids, and senior citizens. Saturday and Sunday are the air show days. Upon completion of the show on Sunday, the C-130 is loaded and preparations made for the team’s departure. Sunday evening the team returns to Pensacola. Monday is a day off for those who traveled to the show. On Tuesday, the cycle starts all over.

      Not only do all Blue Angels have the responsibility of upholding the constant pursuit of perfection in their respective duties they also have the great responsibility and honor of representing all Sailors and Marines to the American public.
      A Blue Angel must be an above average performer and highly competent in their respective field. Additionally, they must also have the right personality that allows them to work well in a tightknit command and be an outstanding representative of the Navy and Marine Corps. Each member of the squadron (officer and enlisted) is hand-picked by the current team.
      At each show site, both officers and enlisted members will visit local schools and hospitals. The school visits allow team members to educate today’s youth on the opportunities available in the Navy and Marine Corps. Blue Angels get the opportunity to tell "their story" and what they have done to succeed thus far in the Navy and Marine Corps. Hospital visits allow the team members to continue the squadron’s tradition by being "Ambassadors of Goodwill" and bring smiles to children and adults alike.
      Although there are many challenges associated with being a member of the team there are also many benefits. The ability to travel around the country and represent the men and women serving our country is a tremendous honor. Additionally, all team members are afforded the opportunity to get a ride in the two-seat F/A-18 Hornet.

Supply’s Role
      The Supply Department consists of one supply officer, nine aviation storekeepers, and one civilian financial specialist. A supply officer is assigned due to the unique mission and high visibility of the command. The Supply Department is not only responsible for having the right tools and equipment when needed but, more importantly, where needed. Whether the aircraft are in Pensacola, Fla., Anchorage, Alaska, or Quebec City, Canada, the Blue Angel supply team ensures all tools and equipment are available.
      These are some of the best AKs and Sailors I have ever worked with. Not only do they know their job but they are also extremely good at solving problems. All too often the difference between flying an air show with five jets vice six relies on the ability of the AKs to find the required part and get it to the show site in time for the maintenance troops to fix the aircraft. Each week I am constantly amazed by the AKs ability to overcome substantial obstacles. It is such a privilege to not only be a member of this team but also to work with such a group of talented professionals. Any command that is lucky enough to get former Blue Angels is getting professionals who know how to think on their feet and overcome obstacles.

      Not only are the AKs required to know how to procure, store and issue parts, they are also required to perform in a Blue Angel air show. Each member of this team is cross-trained in various skills needed in order to successfully perform an air show. Every AK learns how to launch, recover and fuel the aircraft. At every air show, you will see sharp-looking men and women in front of the jets during launch and recovery. They are tasked with ensuring each aircraft is ready to go. Several of those motivated Sailors out in front of the crowd are AKs.

      The supply officer is not only responsible for the logistics and financial operation of the squadron but is also a key player in the Blue Angels’ safe air show performance. The supply officer, along with the two other support officers, will perform their air show duties in either the airport’s control tower or the squadron’s communication cart. From these duty stations, critical airspace issues, and airport and flight information is communicated to the appropriate personnel allowing a safe and exciting Blue Angel air show.

      Immediately following the completion of the Blue Angel show, all officers go to the crowd line to sign autographs and answer questions. Each air show site usually hosts a social event where Blue Angels are afforded the opportunity to visit with people from the local community, dignitaries and entertainers. It is at these events where the Blue Angels get to inform people about the various jobs and opportunities available in the Navy and Marine Corps.
      The best part of being a Blue Angel is talking to a child or a young adult and being able to answer questions, explain to them what you do and how you got to where you are, and, more importantly, how they can achieve their dreams if they get an education and apply themselves. As a child, I would be taken by my parents to air shows to watch the Blue Angels. The Blue Angels became my heroes and helped introduce me to the Navy. From early on I knew what I wanted to do. After I decided to become a supply officer, I discovered that the team had a SUPPO. From that point, my goal was set. I now have the privilege of representing the supply community to the American public. I take that duty very seriously. Most young people I encounter are unaware of the supply community so I view those as perfect opportunities to accomplish my mission of educating and inspiring them to consider a career in the Navy and Supply Corps.

How to Apply
      Every member of the Blue Angels is hand-picked from a large pool of talented applicants. The command is unique in that the team picks its own replacements. Only the current team members know what it takes to make a good Blue Angel and can determine who has the right combination of talent, skill and personality to be a Blue Angel. Each prospective applicant is encouraged to contact the team and talk to the current members to find out more information.
      AKs interested in applying for the 2003 team need to submit an application package no later than May 2002. Supply officers interested in applying for the 2003 team need to submit an application by April 2002. All prospective applicants are encouraged to attend several Blue Angel air shows prior to the application cutoff date in order to meet with the current team and see firsthand what is involved. The 2003 team will be selected during the summer of 2002 and expected to report between September and October 2002.

LT Trent Kalp’s previous tours included USS Guam (LPH9) and NAS Whidbey
Island, Wash.  He has a bachelor’s degree in business administration from Texas Tech University.

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