b'The Blue Angels celebrated its 50th anniversaryThe Commanding Officer flies the Number 1 jet. year in 1996. The Chief of Naval Air Training also selects the The original Blue Angels flew a three-plane airXO, the Blue Angels Executive Officer. XO is a show compared to the six planes that fly todaysNaval Flight Officer (NFO) and must have at least demonstrations, the original 17-minute show now1,250 tactical jet flight-hours.lasting over 40 minutes. Career-oriented Navy and Marine Corps jet The original team had five pilots, one supportpilots with an aircraft carrier qualification and a officer, and eleven enlisted support personnel,minimum of 1,250 tactical jet flight-hours are while today, the squadronseligible for positions flying jets Number 2 through ranks consist of sixteen officers, including six7. The Events Coordinator, Number 8, is a Naval demonstration pilots, and over 100 enlisted Flight Officer (NFO) or a Weapons Systems Officer support personnel. (WSO) who meets the same criteria as Numbers 2 The Hellcat weighed in at over 15,000 poundsthrough 7continued on page 16fully loaded as compared to the 66,000-pound gross weight of the F/-A-18. The Hellcat, at top speed, reached 380 miles per hour at 23,400 feet, while the Hornet easily exceeds the speed U.S. Air Force photo by, 2nd Lt. Samuel Eckholmof sound, over three times the F6Fs speed. The Blue Angels TeamA total of 16 officers voluntarily serve with the Blue Angels. Each year the team typically selects three tactical (fighter or fighter/attack) jet pilots, two support officers and one Marine Corps C-130 pilot to relieve departing members.The Chief of Naval Air Training selects the Boss, the Blue Angels Commanding Officer. Boss must have at least 3,000 tactical jet flight-hoursThe two aerial demonstration teams joined together during the Marine Corps and have commanded a tactical jet squadron.Air Station Beaufort air show. The F-22 Raptor and F/A-18 Hornet.Thank You For Your Service Military Appreciation Resource Magizine 15'