Jaw-Dropping Plane Moves From a Mainer? Freeport Native Joins the Elite Blue Angels

If you aren't familiar with the Blue Angels, they are a flight demonstration squadron of the United States Navy that was formed in 1946. The unit is the second-oldest formal aerobatic team in the world!

The team is made up of six Navy and one Marine Corps demonstration pilot.

Here is actor Tom Cruise with one of the Blue Angels planes at the global premiere of "Top Gun: Maverick". Tom did not fly the F-18 while shooting the movie due to Navy restrictions.

According to a recent press release, The U.S. Navy Flight Demonstration Squadron, the Blue Angels, selected seven new officers to join the team for the 2024 air show season. The squadron selected three F/A-18E/F Super Hornet pilots, a C-130J Super Hercules pilot, an aviation maintenance officer, a supply officer, and a public affairs officer to replace outgoing team members. Lt. Connor O’Donnell from Freeport, Maine, is currently assigned to Training Squadron Eight Six (VT-86). He graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy in 2015.

This is a proud moment for the Freeport, Maine, community, and the state of Maine as a whole! Even Sen. Susan Collins congratulated Connor on social media and expressed how proud he has made the state of Maine.

According to the Blue Angels' Instagram, new team members will report to the squadron in September for a two-month turnover period. We wish Connor and the other new team members the best of luck as they embark on a rigorous five-month training program in September.

The Blue Angels typically perform aerial displays in at least 60 shows annually at 30 locations throughout the U.S., and two shows in Canada. The last time the Blue Angels were in Maine for an airshow was in 2021. No word on any air shows for 2024 yet, but we will keep you posted as soon as we know more.