Blue Angels Announce 2015 Team Members

From U.S. Navy Flight Demonstration Squadron, the Blue Angels, Public Affairs

PENSACOLA, Florida (NNS) -- The U.S. Navy Flight Demonstration Squadron, the Blue Angels, announced the officers selected for the 2015 team July 22.

The squadron selected an executive officer, three F/A-18 demonstration pilots, an events coordination officer, two C-130 demonstration pilots, a flight surgeon, and a supply officer to join the 2015 team.

Many highly qualified Navy and Marine Corps officers submit applications to join the Blue Angels each year.

"We remain committed to selecting the most talented and qualified individuals to join the Blue Angels," said Cmdr. Tom Frosch, flight leader and commanding officer for the team. "Once again, a significant number of extremely talented, experienced Sailors and Marines applied this year, and we are proud of those we have chosen to join the 2015 team. They are excellent representatives of the skilled service members defending our freedom around the world."

The Blue Angels select finalists to interview at the Blue Angels' home base at Naval Air Station Pensacola, Florida, during the week of the Pensacola Beach Air Show. The team makes selections at the conclusion of the interview week.

"All of our finalists this year are incredible examples of some of the finest officers in the Navy and Marine Corps, from both the aviation community and the fleet," said Lt. Cmdr. John Hiltz, right wing pilot and the applications officer for the 2014 team. "What was most important for us - regardless of anything else - was to select the most qualified individuals for the team to represent the more than 540 thousand Sailors and Marines deployed around the world, around the clock. And I'm happy to say that we've done that."

The newly-selected 2015 team members include:

Executive Officer:

Navy Cmdr. Bob Flynn, 45, of Moorestown, New Jersey, is a S-3B Viking Naval Flight Officer and is currently assigned to the Naval War College. He is a 1992 graduate of the U.S. Naval Academy, Annapolis, Maryland.

F/A-18 Demonstration Pilots:

Navy Lt. Matt Suyderhoud, 31, of Honolulu, is currently assigned to Training Squadron 22 (VT-22) at Naval Air Station Kingsville, Texas. He is a 2005 graduate of Saint Louis University, St. Louis, Missouri.

Navy Lt. Andrew Talbott, 31, of Sedan, Kansas, is currently assigned to Strike Fighter Squadron 106 (VFA-106) at Naval Air Station Oceana in Virginia Beach, Virginia. He is a 2005 graduate of Kansas State University, Salina, Kansas.

Marine Capt. Jeff Kuss, 30, of Durango, Colo., is currently assigned to Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 312 (VMFA-312) Marine Corps Air Station Beaufort, S.C. He is a 2006 graduate of Fort Lewis College, Durango, Colorado.

Events Coordination Officer:

Marine Capt. Corrie Mays, 34, of Marstons Mills, Massachusetts, is currently assigned to Marine Fighter Attack Squadron (All Weather) 225 (VMFA(AW)-225) at Marine Corps Air Station Miramar, San Diego. She is a 2003 graduate of the University of Georgia, Athens,Georgia.

C-130 Demonstration Pilots:

Marine Maj. Mark Hamilton, 36, of Becker, Minnesota, is currently assigned to Marine Aerial Refueler Transport Squadron 252 (VMGR-252) at Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, North Carolina. He is a 2000 graduate of Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana.

Marine Capt. Katie Higgins, 27, of Annapolis, Maryland, is currently assigned to Marine Aerial Refueler Transport Squadron 252 (VMGR-252) at Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, North Carolina. She is a 2008 graduate of the U.S. Naval Academy, Annapolis, Maryland.

Flight Surgeon:

Navy Lt. Joe Schwartz, 34, of Arlington, Virginia, is currently assigned to Electronic Attack Squadron 132 (VAQ-132) at Naval Air Station Whidbey Island, Oak Harbor, Washington. He is a 2002 graduate of the University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, Indiana.

Supply Officer:

Navy Lt. Gregory Bollinger, Jr., 31, of Carbondale, Illinois, is currently assigned to Air Test and Evaluation Squadron 9 (VX-9) at Naval Air Weapons Station China Lake, California. He is a 2006 graduate of the University of Maryland University College, Adelphi, Maryland.

Expected to return for the 2015 season are:

F/A-18 Demonstration Pilots:

Navy Cmdr. Tom Frosch, 44, of Clinton Township, Michigan.

Navy Lt. Cmdr. Nate Barton, 33, of Hummelstown, Pennsylvania.

Navy Lt. Mark Tedrow, 31, of Charleroi, Penn.

Navy Lt. Ryan Chamberlain, 29, of Bloomington, Illinois.

C-130 Demonstration Pilots:

Marine Capt. Dusty Cook, 32, of East Bernard, Texas.

Maintenance Officer:

Navy Lt. Cmdr. Declan Hartney, 44, of Limerick, Ireland.

Administration Officer:

Navy Lt. j.g. Phillip Harper, 33, of Chicago.

Public Affairs Officer:

Navy Lt. j.g. Amber Lynn Daniel, 33, of Ramona, California.

The mission of the Blue Angels is to showcase the pride 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 its inception in 1946, the Blue Angels have performed for more than 484 million fans.