Baltimore - June 2012: An F/A-18 Hornet flies over Baltimore during the Star Spangled Sailabration, which coincides with Baltimore Fleet Week 2012 and commemorates the War of 1812 and the writing of the “Star Spangled Banner.” (Navy photo by MCS 2nd Class Andrew Johnson)
By: FEDweek StaffThe Blue Angels – the Navy’s flight demonstration squadron – has selected its first female jet pilot. Lt. Amanda Lee comes to the team from Strike Fighter Squadron 81, based at Naval Air Station Oceana, Virginia. Lee, who uses the nickname “Stalin,” is a former enlisted aviation electronics technician.
The Mounds View, Minnesota native joined the Navy in 2007, graduating from Recruit Training Command Great Lakes, Illinois. She earned a bachelor of science degree in biochemistry at Old Dominion University, was commissioned in 2013, and became a naval aviator in 2016. Her most recent duty assignment was a deployment on the carrier Harry S. Truman (CVN 75).
The Blue Angels also introduced as new members:
• Lt. Cmdr. Thomas Zimmerman, Baltimore, Maryland, demonstration pilot, assigned to the Oceana-based “Red Rippers” Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 11.
• Lt. Cmdr. Brian Vaught, Englewood, Colorado, events coordinator, assigned to the Naval School of Aviation Safety, Naval Air Station Pensacola, Florida.
• Marine Corps Capt. Samuel Petko, Osceola, Indiana, C-130 demonstration pilot, assigned to the Iwakuni Marine Corps Air Station, Japan-based “Sumos,” Marine Aerial Refueler Transport Squadron (VMGR) 152 as a KC-130J pilot.
• Lt. Cmdr. Greg Jones, Cary North Carolina, aviation maintenance officer, assigned to the precommissioning unit for the carrier John F. Kennedy (CVN-79) at Newport News Shipbuilding in Virginia.
• Lt. Philippe Warren, Williamsburg, Va., flight surgeon, now assigned to the “Fighting Griffins” Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron (VMM) 266, based at Marine Corps Air Station New River, North Carolina.
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