Blue Angels to Fly One Jet Short Due to Disciplinary Action

[Matt Molnar]

2 Blue Angels grounded for inappropriate relationship

PENSACOLA, Florida (AP) -- A spokesman for the U.S. Navy Blue Angels says the stunt-flying team will be down one jet the rest of its season after removing two members from duty for having an inappropriate relationship.

Capt. Tyson Dunkelberger, a spokesman for the team based at Naval Air Station Pensacola, said Thursday the squadron will finish its last three air shows next month with five jets.

Dunkelberger would not identify the two members but said the relationship was between a man and a woman. All six of the F-18 stunt pilots are men, and 23 of the 133-member squadron are women.

[Steven Holzinger]

Friends of mine who attended the NAS Jacksonville Airshow last weekend saw an unnumbered Blue Angel depart that Sunday morning... apparently it was the slot pilot who was involved, judging from the fact that the decal that states the pilot that flies the airplane was not removed.

[Gerard]

Well at least it was between a man and a woman. LOL!!
Heaven forbid!!!!

[Nick]

With the Navy you never know!! :lol:

[Mateo]

Heh. Slot pilot.

</beavis>

[Steven Holzinger]

I've watched their demo from KSC last week (thanks NASA TV) and the diamond looks weird without the slot pilot there. However, it did work out nicely for their head-on break out.

I'll be seeing the team this weekend in Pensacola!