Blue Angels Announce 2021 Officer Selections

The United States Navy Blue Angels announced Friday four new officer selections for the 2021 team, a team that is set to make history with the transition to the F/A-18 Super Hornet and take part in the Blue Angels’ 75th Anniversary season. No new F/A-18 demonstration pilots were selected for 2021 due to the cancellation of the 2020 season, and the current demonstration pilots will retain their roles for the 2021 show season.

The squadron selected a C-130 demonstration pilot, a maintenance officer, an events coordinator, and a flight surgeon to replace outgoing team members. Many highly qualified Navy and Marine Corps officers submit applications to join the Blue Angels each year.

“This year offered an exemplary group of applicants from around the fleet, making our selection process very difficult,” said Cmdr. Brian Kesselring, commanding officer and flight leader of the Blue Angels. “With these fantastic new additions to the Blue Angels team for 2021, we are all well equipped to head into our historic 75th show season.”

The Blue Angels selected finalists to interview via video conference call in order to follow all DoD policy and CDC social distancing guidelines. The selected 2020 officers include:

C-130 Demonstration Pilot:

-Marine Corps Capt. Jackson Streiff, of Omaha, Nebraska, is a C-130 Hercules pilot currently assigned to the “Sumos” of Marine Aerial Refueler Transport Squadron 152. He graduated from the University of Nebraska Lincoln in 2014.

Maintenance Officer:

-Navy Lt. Henry Cedeño, of Juana Diaz, Puerto Rico, is a maintenance officer currently assigned to the “Fighting Checkmates” of Strike Fighter Squadron 211.

Events Coordinator:

-Navy Lt. Katlin Forster, of Scottsdale, Arizona, is a naval flight officer (NFO) instructor currently assigned to the “Sabrehawks” of Training Squadron 86. She graduated from Arizona State University in 2013.

Flight Surgeon:

-Navy Lt. Monica Borza, of Virginia Beach, Virginia, is a flight surgeon assigned to the “Black Knights” of Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 314. She graduated from Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University in 2012.

“The safety of our community, team members, friends, and family is top priority as we follow DoD policy and CDC guidelines,” said Kesselring. “We deeply appreciate the support we have received during these unprecedented times and are excited to continue to showcase the precision and professionalism of the United States Navy and Marine Corps.”

For the latest information regarding the remainder of the 2020 show season and the 2021 show season, stay tuned to our website, social media, and mobile app.