Blue Angel Phantoms

Mar 17 2025 19 ep. 45 mins 44

Blue Angel Phantoms Podcast artwork

For 79 years, the Blue Angels Flight Demonstration Squadron has flown air shows in front of millions of people around the world. Now hear from the pilots & crew that were a part of this incredible history as they share their stories. Subscribe to the Blue Angel Phantoms podcast and YouTube channel for the latest interviews.

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Inside the 2025 Blue Angels: Lcdr Lilly Montana's Incredible Journey

Mar 17 2025 22 mins

The Blue Angels are back and ready to kick off their 2025 airshow season! In this episode of the Blue Angel Phantoms Podcast, we sit down with LCDR Lilly “Lunchbox” Montana, Blue Angel #8 and the Team’s Events Coordinator, to get an inside look at what it takes to make the Team and execute one of the most logistically complex schedules in aviation. In this episode, we discuss

From Near Extinction to Naval Squadron, the Rebirth of the Blue Angels ft. Boss Tony Less

Sep 24 2023 21 mins

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 Umstead. The future seemed uncertain for the Navy’s Flight Exhibition Team, which had showcased demonstrations worldwide for the last quarter-century. However, Nav

The TRUE STORY of the Blue Angels' F7U Cutlass Featuring Edward "Whitey" Feightner

Aug 06 2023 48 mins

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 development history led to significant challenges and several near brushes with tragedy. In this brand new episode of the Blue Angel Phantoms Podcast, you'll hear dir

Harley Hall II Honors his father's legacy with a VIP flight in the back of Blue Angel #7

Mar 26 2023 48 mins

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 Angels and Air Force Thunderbirds performing at the same airshow, but also the Blue Angels paying tribute to CAPT Harley H. Hall, the Team’s former Flight Leader a

Meet the NEW Blue Angels' Flight Leader: Cmdr. Alex Armatas

Dec 27 2022 17 mins

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 National Naval Aviation Museum in Pensacola, Florida. He replaced Captain Brian Kesselring, who led the Team during its 75th anniversary and the transition to the F/A-18

A Blue Angel's Journey Featuring Boss Gil Rud

Aug 27 2022 54 mins

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 Blue Angel’s Journey” that details his life from growing up in a small remote farming town in North Dakota to becoming the Commanding Officer of the Blue Ang

The Untold Story of the Blue Angels Visit to Moscow with John "Gucci" Foley

Aug 12 2022 54 mins

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 tensions between the once Cold War rivals. The Team’s trip to the former Soviet Union was highlighted by two air shows and a ride exchange between the Blue Angels

In the Cockpit of "Top Gun: Maverick" with Blue Angel Pilot, Frank Weisser

May 28 2022 41 mins

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 inside the cockpit of F18 Super Hornet jets, leaving audiences spellbound. But who was actually at the controls of the twin-engine Boeing fighters during the ma

Fat Albert's first JATO takeoff featuring former pilot, Steve Petit

Nov 14 2020 32 mins

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 prior to 2009 when the team ceased using the rocket bottles as part of their demo. In this episode of the podcast, you'll hear the origin story of the first Fat Albert

The story of the Blue Angels' transition to the A4 Skyhawk featuring former solo pilot, Jerry "Turkey" Tucker

Nov 06 2020 30 mins

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, former Blue Angels solo pilot, Jerry "Turkey" Tucker, shares his recollections of when the team transitioned aircraft for the 1974 season to the A4 Skyhawk. Support the s