PENSACOLA, Fl. (afps) – Cmdr. Russell J. Bartlett was selected to lead the Navy’s Flight Demonstration Squadron (The Blue Angels) for the 2003-2004 show seasons.
The mission of the Blue Angels is to enhance U. S. Navy and Marine Corps recruiting and to represent the naval service to the civilian community, its elected leadership and foreign nations.
“The Blue Angels serve as role models and goodwill ambassadors for the U.S. Navy and Marine Corps,” said Rear Adm. John E. Boyington Jr. “They represent the best of naval aviation and Cmdr. Bartlett will make a superb addition to the team. Selecting the one person from the six finalists to lead the Blue Angels was a difficult decision because they were all exemplary officers, skilled aviators, and proven leaders.”
A Blue Angel flight demonstration exhibits the choreographed
refinements of Navy-trained flying skills. It presents the
aerobatic maneuvers of the four-plane diamond, as well as the
fast-paced high performance maneuvers of the two solo pilots.
The renowned delta formation is complete with six jets
performing maneuvers, as a whole, in formation. Since 1946, the
Blue Angels have performed for more than 350 million people.
Bartlett was born into an Army family at Fort Benning, Ga., and
spent the majority of his childhood on Nantucket Island, off the
coast of Massachusetts. He graduated from the U.S. Naval
Academy in 1983 with a degree in aerospace engineering.
Bartlett has accumulated more than 3,400 flight hours in Navy
aircraft. His decorations include the Defense Meritorious
Service Medal, Strike Flight Air Medal (three awards), Navy
Commendation Medal (four awards) with Combat Distinguishing
Device, Joint Service Achievement Medal, Navy and Marine Corps
Achievement Medal, NATO Medal and various other campaign, unit
and service awards.
