Latest news with #FatAlbert
Yahoo
13-07-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Meet the new and returning Blue Angels pilots ahead of the Pensacola Beach Air Show
The Blue Angels are back for their first hometown air show of the 79th season, and they're bringing back some new and familiar faces. Three new Blue Angels pilots will make their Pensacola Beach Air Show debut on Thursday, with two joining the main flight demonstration squad and the third joining the ranks of the team's beloved support aircraft, "Fat Albert." Get to know all of the new and returning Blue Angels pilots below. A native of Canton, Connecticut, Cmdr. Adam Bryan graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy in 2005 with a Bachelor of Science in economics. Following his commissioning, he attended flight school in Pensacola and continued his training at NAS Corpus Christi and NAS Kingsville. In July 2007, he earned his designation as a naval aviator and joined the VFA-106 "Gladiators" for initial fleet training as an FA-18C pilot. In April 2024, he was selected to command the Navy Flight Demonstration Squadron, assuming command in November 2024. Bryan was recognized as the George Bush First Tour Naval Aviator of the Year in 2011 and as the Commander Naval Air Force Atlantic Pilot of the Year in 2016. Cmdr. Jack Keilty is a native of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, where he attended Mount Saint Mary Catholic High School, graduating in 2005. He attended the Virginia Military Institute in Lexington, Virginia, where he lettered in football and earned a bachelor's degree in history in 2010. Upon graduation he was commissioned an ensign in the U.S. Navy and reported to NAS Pensacola for Aviation Preflight Indoctrination (API). Keilty joined the Blue Angels in September 2023. He has accumulated more than 2,700 flight hours and 484 carrier arrested landings. His decorations include a Strike Flight Air Medal, three Navy Commendation Medals, Two Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal, and various other unit and personal awards. Major Brandon Wilkins is a native of Beaufort, South Carolina. The son of a career Marine officer and naval aviator, Wilkins grew up mostly on the east coast to include South Carolina, Virginia, and Washington D.C. He attended The Citadel, The Military College of South Carolina and graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in business administration in 2007. Wilkins joined the Blue Angels in September of 2024 and has accumulated more than 2300 flight hours and has 331 carrier arrested landings. His decorations include three Strike Flight Air Medals, the Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal, three Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medals, and various personal and unit awards. Brandon is also a two time "Top Five Nugget" and seven time "Top Ten" ball flier for carrier landing performance. Lt. Cmdr. James Wesley Perkins is a native of Pordenone, Italy, grew up in Georgetown, Texas, and graduated from Hutto High School in 2009. He attended Texas A&M University graduating with a degree in ocean engineering in 2014. Perkins commissioned as an Ensign through the Reserve Officers' Training Corps. Perkins joined the Blue Angels in September 2023. He has accumulated more than 1,400 flight hours and has 205 carrier arrested landings. His decorations include a Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal, four Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medals, and various other unit and personal awards. Cmdr. Thomas Zimmerman is a native of Baltimore, Maryland. He graduated from St. Paul's School in 2004 lettering in football, wrestling and lacrosse. After graduation, he attended the United States Naval Academy Preparatory School in Newport, Rhode Island, for one year prior to attending the United States Naval Academy in Annapolis, Maryland. Zimmerman lettered in lacrosse at both schools and graduated from the Naval Academy with a Bachelor of Science in ocean engineering, earning his commission as an ensign in the U.S. Navy in 2009. Zimmerman joined the Blue Angels in September 2022. He has accumulated more than 3,100 flight hours and 542 carrier-arrested landings. His decorations include a Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal, two Navy and Marine Corps Achievement medals, and various other unit and personal awards. Lt. Cmdr. Connor O'Donnell is a native of Freeport, Maine, and graduated from Yarmouth High School in 2011. Following high school, he attended the United States Naval Academy and graduated with a bachelor's degree in operations research in 2015 . O'Donnell joined the Blue Angels in September 2023. He has accumulated over 1,200 flight hours and more than 200 carrier-arrested landings. His personal awards include the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal and various unit and service awards. Maj. Samuel Petko is a native of Osceola, Indiana. He graduated from Penn High School in 2009, where he wrestled and played rugby. After high school, he attended Indiana University, graduating with a Bachelor of Science in business administration. In 2016, he earned a commission as a 2nd. Lt. in the U.S. Marine Corps through Officer Candidate School and reported to The Basic School aboard Marine Corps Base Quantico, Virginia. Petko joined the Blue Angels in 2022. He has accumulated more than 1,500 flight hours and multiple instructor qualifications over the course of multiple joint, bilateral and multilateral exercises in the USINDOPACOM area of responsibility. His decorations include the Humanitarian Service Medal, Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal, and various personal and service support medals. Capt. Isaac Van Zandt Becker is a native of Austin, Texas. While a student at Colorado College in Colorado Springs, Colorado, Becker applied for the Platoon Leaders Course and attended Officer Candidate School in May 2016. After graduating from Colorado College in May 2017 with a degree in geology, Becker commissioned as a 2nd Lt. in the U.S. Marine Corps, where he then received orders to report to The Basic School (TBS) in Quantico, Virginia. As an aviation contract, Becker graduated from Fox Company, TBS in March 2018. Becker reported to the Blue Angels in September 2023. His awards include the Navy Meritorious Unit Commendation, National Defense Service Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Armed Forces Service Medal, and Sea Service Deployment Ribbon. Maj. Joshua Horman was born in Smithville, Missouri. After graduating from William Jewell College in Liberty, Missouri, with a degree in business administration, Horman completed Officer Candidate School and commissioned into the U.S. Marine Corps. In The Basic School, Horman picked up a competitive Naval Flight Officer (NFO) contract and began his journey into naval aviation. Horman has participated in deployments or exercises in the African, European, Middle Eastern and Pacific areas of responsibility. His decorations include four Strike/Flight Air Medals, Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal, Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal and various other personal and unit awards, according to his bio on the team's website. This article originally appeared on Pensacola News Journal: Meet the Blue Angels pilots performing at Pensacola Beach Air Show
Yahoo
07-06-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Blue Angels answer questions at MTSU
RUTHERFORD COUNTY, Tenn. (WKRN) — It was a packed house at Middle Tennessee State University Friday morning as two members of the U.S. Navy Blue Angels Flight Demonstration Squadron answered questions from the public. Oliver Moreira — age 9 — spent roughly two months preparing for the event and made a jet suit with his mom. He said the Blue Angels are one of the reasons he hopes to have a career in the skies one day. 📧 Have breaking news come to you: → 'I like them because they do a lot of tricks and tricks that make me encouraged,' Moreira said, explaining his suit. 'I can transform with it and it's really awesome and I get to impress a lot of people, and I hope one day I become a commercial pilot.' Middle Tennessee native Mychael Kisling returned to his alma mater for the event, which was just down the road from where he attended high school. 'It's great. I love being here — coming back to Murfreesboro brings back a lot of memories, especially running track in high school and then coming here to college as well,' Kisling said, who added that he now serves as an aviation electronics technician. 'It was fun here at MTSU.' Kisling, along with U.S. Marine Corps Major and C-130J Demonstration Pilot Josh Horman, answered dozens of questions from the audience. 'We're normally flying 250 knots, which is about 300-320 miles per hour when we're doing the break passes,' Horman said when asked how fast a 'Fat Albert' plane could fly. 📧 Have breaking news come to you: → 'Because it's very difficult and we want to showcase the precision of the pilots,' Horman said when another audience member asked about the Blue Angels' flight formations. As the Blue Angels are expected to continue wowing people at the Great Tennessee Air Show this weekend, Moreira said that he did not want to wrap up Friday's event without sharing his advice to others. 'I have some advice for everybody that's watching,' Moreira said. 'Never give up and you can do it if you have it in your mind.' Perhaps that's a sentiment the Blue Angels would also agree with. The Blue Angels will perform at the Tennessee Air Show on Saturday and Sunday at 3 p.m. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
26-04-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Blue Angels showcase F/A-18 jets at Augusta air show
AUGUSTA, Ga (WJBF) – They are the second oldest formal aerobatic team in the world flying in aircrafts like the F/A-18 jet and C-130 carrier. We were able to get a look into their pre-show practice and speak with Sergeant Benaiah Smith, who said it never gets old flying with the Blue Angels. 'The Blue Angels are here to demonstrate Marine Corps and Navy aviation and their capabilities, showing it off to the rest of the world.' said Smith. The Blue Angels reached out to Sergeant Evan Scureman, who was named the 2025 Firefighter of the Year by the Augusta Fire Department, to give him the chance to ride on the C-130 'Fat Albert' 'I mean it's a once in a lifetime opportunity to be able to come and do something that people could only dream of doing, I think it's a really great honor, probably is the best way to put it, it's something I'll remember forever.' Scureman said. The pilots train for the air show months prior along with more practice once they get to the airport. Smith said, 'The scenery, going new places, I haven't traveled a lot of the U.S., so this is a great opportunity to see towns and cities all over America.' If you want to see the planes in action, the air show is Saturday and Sunday at the Augusta Regional Airport. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
CBS News
23-03-2025
- Entertainment
- CBS News
California Capital Airshow 2025
Blue Angels Blue Angels Blue Angels Fat Albert Cal Fire C-130 Cal Fire Firehawk Cal Fire OV10 Bronco Cal Fire S2 de Havilland Mosquito de Havilland Mosquito F16 Viper Demonstration team F35B Lightning 2 F35B Lightning 2 P 51 Mustang P47 Thunderbolt Supermarine Spitfire Supermarine Spitfire Tucker's Air Patrol Tucker's Air Patrol U2 Dragon Lady U2 Dragon Lady U.S. Coast Guard C-27
Associated Press
21-02-2025
- Entertainment
- Associated Press
The Monique Woolley Foundation Holds Ambassador Inauguration Ceremony Advocating for Suicide Survivors and Mental Health
An empowering evening honoring #WFBTY 2025 ambassadors, advocating for suicide survivors and mental health awareness, inspiring change, and breaking stigma. '...Monique's story is not just my own—it's the story of so many who silently suffer. We are here to remind those struggling with mental health that their lives matter...' — Amour Delus, founder and CEO of the Monique Woolley Foundation HOLLYWOOD, CA, UNITED STATES, February 21, 2025 / / -- The Monique Woolley Foundation held its inaugural Ambassador Inauguration Ceremony on Saturday, Feb. 15, 2025, at XO Banquet Hall in North Hollywood, CA, to recognize the 2025 ambassadors committed to advocating for suicide survivors and mental health awareness. The event, dedicated to strength, unity, and empowerment, brought together survivors, supporters, and advocates to inspire change and break the stigma surrounding mental health. The evening was hosted by the British mother-daughter duo director Elizabeth Blake-Thomas and actress-producer Isabella Blake-Thomas. The event included a star-studded yellow carpet welcoming celebrities and supporters of the foundation's mission. Many celebrities, athletes, music artists, and entertainment industry executives stood in solidarity with the cause and walked the yellow carpet. Attendees included NFL wide receiver and return specialist Ray-Ray McCloud III of the Atlanta Falcons; singer-songwriter Capri Everitt; actor-director Shedrack Anderson (Gracie's Choice, Fat Albert); actor Brennan Keel Cook (Love You to Death); music artist Chef Sean; Grammy-nominated producer Joel Diamond; Grammy-nominated musician 4rest; Primetime Emmy-winning actor Kim Estes; Chico Brown, producer and CEO of Cinema Libre Diversity; Hahn and Aaron Brown, wife and son of the late George Brown, founding member of Kool & The Gang; celebrity chef Nikita Leone; entertainment entrepreneur Michelle Stokes; and actress Nimi Adokiye, along with many others who showed their support for the foundation's mission. During the ceremony, Pastor Torrian Scott led the official induction of the ambassadors, honoring their pledge to support individuals struggling with depression and reinforcing The Monique Woolley Foundation's #WFBTY (When Feeling Blue Think Yellow) foundation's message: 'It's Okay to Not Be Okay.' Among the inductees were Olympian Sharrieffa Barksdale; Angel Collins, U.S. Army veteran and realtor; Diana Nguyen, entrepreneur and podcast host; Danielle McKnight, businesswoman and tattoo artist; Misty Smith, massage therapist; Humberto Meza, actor and author; Jennifer Messina, Army veteran and music artist; Jennifer Jost, wealth advisor; Tania Carmenate, songwriter; Gloria Jimenez, model and 2024 USOA Ms. Beverly Hills; Robert D. Jones, retired U.S. military veteran; Tanasha Allwood, author and producer; and Darrell Dupre, vice president of the Monique Woolley Foundation. The Monique Woolley Foundation's newly inducted ambassadors shared their powerful personal stories as survivors, emphasizing that mental health challenges, including depression and suicidal thoughts, can affect anyone. Their testimonies reinforced the foundation's mission to break the stigma surrounding mental health and provide essential support for those in need. Musical performances added emotional depth to the night, moving the audience with powerful artistry. Singer Nova Marie delivered a heartfelt performance, while pianist Mahesh Balasooriya performed the original melody for #WhenFeelingBlueThinkYellow. Amour Delus, the founder and CEO of the Monique Woolley Foundation, created the organization as a tribute to her daughter, Monique Woolley, whose life was tragically lost to suicide. Channeling her grief into action, Delus has made it her mission to offer support, advocacy, and hope to individuals impacted by mental illness. The foundation serves as a safe haven where survivors can share their experiences, connect with resources, and contribute to dismantling the stigma surrounding mental health. 'Losing Monique changed my life forever, and I vowed to turn that tragedy into a mission to help others. Through this foundation, I find purpose,' said Amour Delus, founder and CEO of the Monique Woolley Foundation. 'Monique's story is not just my own—it's the story of so many who silently suffer. We are here to remind those struggling with mental health that their lives matter. Together, we will change the conversation, erase the stigma, and ensure no one feels invisible in their pain. We are here to support, to listen, and to let everyone know: 'It's Okay to Not Be Okay' The Monique Woolley Foundation extends its deepest gratitude to their Vice President Darrell Dupre, and event location sponsor XO Banquet Hall for their unwavering support in making this event possible. If you or someone you know is struggling with mental health challenges or thoughts of suicide, please call the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline at 988. The Monique Woolley Foundation is dedicated to suicide prevention and awareness, but it is not a crisis hotline. Please reach out…we care. #WhenFeelingBlueThinkYellow For more information and ways to support, visit and follow @themowoolleyfoundation on Instagram and Facebook. For media inquiries, contact Yvette Morales, YM & Associates PR, at [email protected] or 949-244-9769. ### About The Monique Woolley Foundation's #WFBTY (When Feeling Blue Think Yellow) Mission Statement Our Mission The Monique Woolley Foundation is dedicated to providing a sanctuary for individuals struggling with mental health challenges, including depression and suicidal thoughts. Our Sanctuary Spa Space offers a compassionate intake process that connects individuals with comprehensive wraparound resources. We provide a range of health and wellness services facilitated by certified and licensed professionals, including therapy, healing circles, massages, chaplain services, art classes, educational workshops, group facilitation, support groups, mentoring, nutrition and diet consultations, yoga, and meditation. Our goal is to create a safe and supportive environment where those facing mental health struggles can find healing, connection, and hope—ensuring that no one ever feels alone. Led by founder and CEO Amour Delus, our Southern California-based team is committed to breaking the stigma surrounding mental health in our community. As we work to save lives—one story at a time, one life at a time—your support helps bring this vision to reality. The Monique Woolley Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. Yvette Morales YM & Associates PR +1 949-244-9769 [email protected] LinkedIn YouTube Other
