Blue Angel Phantoms
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.
Episodes
19 episodes
Inside the 2025 Blue Angels: Lcdr Lilly Montana's Incredible Journey
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...
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22:58
From Near Extinction to Naval Squadron, the Rebirth of the Blue Angels ft. Boss Tony Less
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 seeme...
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21:06
The TRUE STORY of the Blue Angels' F7U Cutlass Featuring Edward "Whitey" Feightner
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...
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48:50
Harley Hall II Honors his father's legacy with a VIP flight in the back of Blue Angel #7
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 Thun...
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48:25
Meet the NEW Blue Angels' Flight Leader: Cmdr. Alex Armatas
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...
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17:20
A Blue Angel's Journey Featuring Boss Gil Rud
Featuring Boss Gil Rud, Blue Angels Flight Leader (1986 - 1988) | Produced & hosted by Ryan Nothhaft, Blue Angel PhantomsIn this Interview, Boss Rud discusses his brand new memoir “From the Prairie to the Pacific: A Blue Angel’s Jou...
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54:10
The Untold Story of the Blue Angels Visit to Moscow with John "Gucci" Foley
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...
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54:08
In the Cockpit of "Top Gun: Maverick" with Blue Angel Pilot, Frank Weisser
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 Su...
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Season 1
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Episode 12
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41:21
Fat Albert's first JATO takeoff featuring former pilot, Steve Petit
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 w...
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Season 1
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Episode 11
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32:12
The story of the Blue Angels' transition to the A4 Skyhawk featuring former solo pilot, Jerry "Turkey" Tucker
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 Ange...
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Season 1
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Episode 10
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30:53
Fat Albert Pilot, Major Katie Higgins Cook (2015 - 2016)
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 family's incredible legac...
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Season 1
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Episode 9
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51:57
Blue Angels Maintenance Officer, Lt. Brian Abe
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 airshow season.&...
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Season 1
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Episode 8
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45:03
State of the YouTube channel: Blue Angel Phantoms
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 recently published short docume...
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Season 1
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Episode 7
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18:05
Blue Angels Flight Surgeon, Dr. Gary Mullen (2003 - 2004)
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 joining the...
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Season 1
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Episode 6
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51:04
Blue Angels F4 Phantom Team Photographer, Ron Rentfrow (1970 - 1973)
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 Angels, including the t...
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Season 1
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Episode 5
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1:06:00
Blue Angels Leader, George Dom (1997 - 1998)
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, details hi...
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Season 1
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Episode 4
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1:06:00
Blue Angels Solo Pilot, Denny Sapp (1975 - 1976)
Denny Sapp is a former Blue Angels solo pilot and served on the team for the 1975 and 1976 air show seasons. Born in Iowa, Denny graduated from Northwest Missouri State University in 1968 and joined the US Navy and received his wi...
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Season 1
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Episode 3
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1:26:38
Blue Angels Maintenance Officer, Doug Hill (1983 - 1984)
Doug Hill was the Blue Angels Maintenance Officer during the 1983 & 1984 air show seasons. On this episode of the podcast, Doug details his early career in the Navy as well as the incredible transformation he underwent in order to be consid...
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Season 1
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Episode 2
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1:04:47
