Blue Angel Phantoms

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 and pilots from the Russian Knights Aerobatic Flight Team. 

The significance of these events were not lost on the Blue Angels’ Lead Solo Pilot, John “Gucci” Foley, who joins this episode of Blue Angel Phantoms to share insights and behind the scenes stories from that now famous ‘92 European tour, as well as his naval career that spanned 17 years and saw him ascend to the rank of Commander. 

In this brand new interview, Gucci candidly dives into his navy experience and opens the discussion with his upbringing as a German born army brat and the influence his father had on him to pursue a military career. It was during this same time period that Foley attended a Blue Angels air show and proclaimed to his father that one day he too would be a military aviator. 

True to his word, Foley applied to the military academies but was initially rejected for having too much protein in his urine. Not one to quit, he attended University of Colorado for his freshman year of college before successfully transferring to the United States Naval Academy where he graduated in 1982. 

With a desire to fly with an F/A-18 Hornet squadron, Foley was selected for jet training at NAS Chase Field in Beeville, Texas. However, after receiving his Wings of Gold in 1984, and in alignment with the needs of the Navy, Foley would initially be assigned to Attack Squadron 22 (VA-22) flying the A-7 Corsair II. Disappointed with the assignment at the time, Foley now reflects that the three years he spent flying the A-7 were critical in his development as a Navy pilot. 

Aboard the USS Enterprise (CVN-65) Foley and VA-22 deployed to the Western Pacific, Mediterranean and Indian Ocean in 1986 and later to the Persian Gulf in 1988. It was during these deployments that Foley received the Top Nugget Award for first-tour pilots in Carrier Air Wing Eleven, and was also recognized as one of the “Top 10” of all air wing pilots.  

Upon returning from the Persian Gulf, Foley transferred to Marine Fighter Attack Training Squadron 101 (VMFAT-101) based in El Toro, California, where he served as an F/A-18 Hornet flight instructor pilot and landing signal officer. 

It was during his tour with VMFAT-101 that Foley submitted an application and pursued a position with the Blue Angels that was almost derailed when he accidentally deployed live ordinance from his aircraft on a training exercise. Grounded by his commanding officer and his letter of recommendation revoked, Foley openly shared his lessons learned from the mishap during his interview with the Blue Angels and was selected as the Team’s narrator for the 1990 air show season. 

Foley would enjoy a three year tenure with the Blue Angels that would see him progress from the team’s narrator to a position in the demonstration as a solo pilot. Having developed a strong bond with his opposing solo, Ken Switzer, for the 1992 season, the two explored implementing new maneuvers including the Section High Alpha Pass and the Solo Section Take-Off. Both maneuvers are now featured in the demonstration that Blue Angels perform today. 

During 1992 season, the Blue Angels traveled to Europe for the first time since 1973 to perform 16 air shows in 8 different countries including Russia, Bulgaria, Romania, England, Spain, Italy, Finland and Sweden. 

As if it happened yesterday, Foley fondly reflects on a flight he gave to his Russian counterpart that rendered his new comrade unconscious du

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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 making of the film? While Tom Cruise is known for executing his own stunts, for this production, he had to rely on the help of the US Navy to achieve the aerial excellence that is creating so much buzz. 

Enter Frank “Walleye” Weisser, a retired Navy Commander and former pilot of the Blue Angels Flight Demonstration Squadron. Weisser is one of several Navy pilots that worked directly with Paramount Productions to fly the aerial sequences that are so heavily featured throughout the film. 

In this brand new interview, Cdr Weisser will publicly reveal for the first time how he was selected to assist in the production of “Top Gun: Maverick” and how his affiliation with the Blue Angels played a significant role. Walleye will shed light on what it is like to work as a stunt double for Tom Cruise including a humorous misunderstanding with a makeup technician on set. The interview will also provide behind the scenes insight into the iconic scenes that are featured in the trailer as well as his experience flying Tom Cruise in his backseat throughout the production. 

The scope of the discussion extends beyond Cdr Weisser’s involvement with Top Gun. Graduating from the Naval Academy in 2000, Weisser goes into detail about what life was like serving in the Navy after the attacks of September 11th and the combat deployments he served on before making the decision to submit an application to the Blue Angels, where he was selected as the team’s Narrator for the 2008 season. 

Detailing his time on the Blues, Cdr Weisser shares how he leveraged his role as the Narrator to enhance his transition into the demo as the team’s Opposing Solo for the 2009 season. He also provides insight into the key differences between the Opposing and Lead Solo roles and which one he enjoyed more. He later discusses how he was recalled to the Blue Angels several years after his initial tenure in the wake of the tragic loss of Capt. Jeff Kuss and the challenges he had assimilating back into the team. 

Cdr. Weisser also served in a critical role assisting the Blue Angels with their recent transition to the F/18 Super Hornet. In this interview, you’ll hear how Cdr. Weisser was charged with the seemingly impossible task of figuring out how to extend the life of the incoming Super Hornets by making adjustments to the demo profile to limit G-strain on the aircrafts while not dramatically changing the presentation in front of the audience.

Special thanks to the Blue Angels Association and Frank Weisser for making this interview possible.

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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 JATO takeoff from former pilot, Steve Petit who served on the team from 1975 through 1977.  Steve also  details his military career including his selection process with the Blue Angels and shares insights and behind the scenes stories of what it was like to serve as a Fat Albert pilot during those early years.  

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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.  

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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 legacy in military aviation and the impact that it had during the course of her childhood and her decision to pursue a career as a Marine Corps aviator.  She also shares insights into how she selected the C-130 Hercules as her platform of choice before being deployed oversees to Afghanistan and Uganda.  

Major Cook goes on to share a story about a combat mission she executed while in Afghanistan that she now refers to one of the proudest moments in her career as a Marine.  

She also details her time on the Blue Angels, including the training program, her favorite demo maneuvers, and the tragic loss of her teammate and friend, Captain Jeff Kuss.  

Before signing off, Major Cook provides a brief update on her current career focus.  

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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.  Key topics covered include the impact of COVID-19 on the Blue Angels schedule, the team's salute to frontline medical workers during Operation America Strong, the transition to the F-18 Super Hornet, Fat Albert, and much more.  

Interview conducted by Ryan Nothhaft as part of the Blue Angel Phantoms Podcast & YouTube channel.  Available on all major podcast networks.  

Please subscribe the the Blue Angel Phantoms YouTube Channel.  Link below.  

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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 documentary about the 1982 Blue Angels team that I published on the Blue Angel Phantoms YouTube channel.  

Don't worry, there will be more interviews of former Blue Angel pilots and crew in future episodes! 

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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 Blue Angels organization, and providing constructive feedback to the best naval aviators in the business.    

Prominently featured in the documentary series "Blue Angels: A Year in the Life", Doc Mullen recalls his experience working with the film crew and gives insights into one of the most challenging moments captured on film when he had to make a medical recommendation that had a lasting impact on the 2004 air show season.  

Doc Mullen also shares his experience working with Boss Russ Bartlett, the solo pilots trying to make him sick while flying in the back of the F/18 Hornet, and learning that the team suffered an ejection just weeks following his last day on the team.  

For more interviews, make sure to subscribe to the Blue Angel Phantoms Podcast on your favorite podcast app and also subscribe to the Blue Angel Phantoms YouTube channel.

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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 team's visits to Panama, Ecuador, and Hawaii.  He also shares his experience documenting some of the more terrifying moments during his tenure, including multiple pilot ejections. Ron also provides his perspective of what it was like to work with team leaders Harley Hall, Don Bentley, and Skip Umstead, as well as pilots Jim Maslowski, JD Davis, and Ernie Christensen. Finally, Ron discusses the unfortunate events that took place at Lakehurst, NJ in the Summer of 1973 that led to the Blue Angels premature end of flying the F4 Phantom.  

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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 his early deployments, and provides insights into the application process to become commanding officer of the Blue Angels.  Boss Dom also gives a behind the scenes look into how the team brought back the diamond landing for the 1998 season, and tells some hilarious stories about a few unannounced fly overs.  

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