Blue Angels select 2017 team

 The Navy’s Blue Angels flight demonstration team announced July 16 its officer-selectees for the 2017 air show season. The squadron selected three F/A-18 pilots, an events coordinator, C-130 Marine pilot, flight surgeon, supply officer, and administration officer to join a previously selected executive officer for the 2017 team. The newly selected 2017 officers include pilots Lt. Brandon Hempler, 32, of Wamego, Kan.; Lt. Damon Kroes, 34, of Fremont, Calif.; and Lt. Nate Scott, 31, of Danville, Calif. The new events coordinator will be Lt. Dave Steppe, 31, of Birmingham, Ala., an Auburn University graduate. The C-130 pilot will be Marine Capt. Kyle Maschner, 33, of Scottsdale, Ariz.; flight surgeon Lt. Juan Guerra, 31, of Ocala, Fla.; supply officer Lt. Bryan Pace, 32, of Fitzwilliam, N.H.; and administration officer Lt. j.g. Timothy Hawkins, 37, of Scranton, Pa. Blues expected to return for 2017 are Commanding Officer, Cmdr. Ryan Bernacchi; pilots Lt. Lance Benson, Lt. Tyler Davies, and late-season replacement Cmdr. Frank Weisser; C-130 pilots Marine Maj. Mark Hamilton, and Marine Maj. Mark Montgomery; maintenance officer Lt. Samuel Rose; and public affairs officer Lt. Joe Hontz. (Source: Blue Angels media release 7/16/16)