Blue Angels’ select 2020 boss

NAS PENSACOLA, Fla. – Cmdr. Brian Kesselring was selected April 2 to be the 2020-21 air- show season commanding officer of the Blue Angels’ Navy Flight Demonstration Squadron. A selection panel comprised of nine admirals and former commanding officers selected Cmdr. Kesselring to succeed current Blue Angels boss, Capt. Eric Doyle. Kesselring, a native of Fargo, N.D., joins the Blue Angels after serving as the commanding officer of Strike Fighter Squadron 81 at NAS Oceana, Va. His previous assignments include four squadron tours in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom, Operation New Dawn, Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Inherent Resolve. He has more than 3,790 flight hours and 812 carrier-arrested landings. Kesselring will report for initial training in Pensacola in September and officially take command of the squadron at the end of the air show season in November. The change-of-command is scheduled for Nov. 10 at the National Naval Aviation Museum. Kesselring will lead a squadron of 141 personnel and serve as the demonstration flight leader, flying the #1 jet. The Blue Angels are scheduled to perform 56 shows in 29 locations for the 2020 air-show season. (Source: The Blue Angels 04/02/19)