Blue Angel Phantoms

1973 was a bleak year for the Blue Angels with exacting consequences. Three distinct incidents resulted in the destruction of six F4 Phantoms and the tragic loss of three team members, including flight leader LCDR Skip...

With its sleek and unusual tailless design, the Vought F7U Cutlass seemed like a perfect fit for the U.S. Navy's Flight Demonstration Team, the Blue Angels. However, as the Blues would find out, the aircraft's complex...

With the U.S. Navy Blue Angels launching into their 77th year, the 2023 airshow season kicked off in grand fashion at Naval Base Ventura County, Point Mugu. The event not only marked a rare occurrence for both the Blue...

For the first time in three years, the U.S. Navy Blue Angels have a new flight leader. Cmdr. Alexander Armatas officially took command of the Naval Flight Exhibition Team on November 13, 2022, at a ceremony at the...

Featuring Boss Gil Rud, Blue Angels Flight Leader (1986 - 1988) | Produced & hosted by Ryan Nothhaft, Blue Angel Phantoms In this Interview, Boss Rud discusses his brand new memoir “From the Prairie to the Pacific: A...

In what was once thought to be an impossibility, the Blue Angels made history in 1992 by becoming the first United States flight team to fly over the skies of Moscow, Russia. The momentous visit served as a way to ease...

Described as a “love letter to aviation” by producer Jerry Bruckheimer, the new box office sensation “Top Gun: Maverick” is receiving critical acclaim for its state of the art cinematic sequencing and putting actors...

Fat Albert is the Blue Angels C-130 support aircraft that has served as the team's primary transport since 1970. However, many air show enthusiast know Fat Albert for the breath taking JATO takeoff if used to perform...

During the course of their 74 year history, the Blue Angels have flown eight different aircraft and will be transitioning to their ninth, the F/18 Super Hornet, for the 2021 season. In this episode of the podcast...

Marine Corps aviator and veteran of Afghanistan, Major Katie Higgins Cook is the first female pilot to fly with the famed Blue Angels. In this episode of the Blue Angel Phantoms Podcast, Major Cook discusses her...

Lt. Brian Abe is the current Maintenance Officer (MO) for the United States Navy Blue Angels. In this episode of the podcast, Lt. Abe shares insights into his 22 year naval career and gives a breakdown of the 2020...

It's been two months since I last published an episode of the podcast so I thought this was the perfect time to catch up and let you know what has been going on behind the scenes as well as share the story of the...

Dr. Gary Mullen was the Flight Surgeon for the United States Navy Blue Angels during the 2003 & 2004 air show seasons. On this episode of the Podcast, Dr. Mullen details his unexpected path to the Navy, rushing and...

Ron Rentfrow was the official photographer assigned to the Blue Angels from 1970 to 1973. During this episode of the podcast, Ron shares insights behind some of the most iconic moments during the F4 era of the Blue...

George Dom is the former leader of the United States Navy Blue Angels and served on the team during the 1997 and 1998 air show seasons. During this episode, Boss Dom shares how his father motivated him to join the Navy...