US National Air and Space Museum Welcomes Blue Angels’ F/A-18C Hornet

The Smithsonian’s National Air and Space Museum has welcomed the Blue Angels’ F/A-18C Hornet into the national collection. This is the first Blue Angels aircraft the museum has acquired. The recently retired F/A-18C flew into Washington Dulles International Airport Nov. 18 in preparation for display at the museum’s Udvar-Hazy Center in Chantilly, Virginia, at a later date.

“The museum’s collection of this important aircraft will allow us to tell stories of the Navy’s Flight Demonstration Team, as well as its time in combat,” said Laurence Burke, naval aviation curator at the museum. “We look forward to sharing this plane with our visitors at the Udvar-Hazy Center.”

Airborne Command & Control Community Marks the 60th Anniversary of its First Maiden Flight

An E-2D aircraft            Photo Photo by Petty Officer 3rd Class Shane Jackson

While the U.S. Navy celebrated its 245th birthday this October, the Airborne Command & Control Logistics Community marked a longevity milestone, the 60th anniversary of the maiden E-2 flight, Oct. 21.

On Oct. 21, 1960, the first flight of the E-2A occurred out of Bethpage, New York. Five years later, on Oct. 19, 1965, the U.S. Navy conducted its first E-2 deployment.

“For 60 years, the E-2 has been the eye in the sky for the U.S. Navy,” said Capt. Michael France, Commander, Airborne Command & Control Logistics Wing, who has flown more than 4,700 hours flying 25 different aircraft. “The E-2 has continued to manage the airspace in both times of peace and in times of conflict, and we are grateful for every pilot, maintainer, and aircrew who have supported this community.”

During an interview, Rear Adm. John Meier, Commander, Naval Air Force Atlantic on the admiral’s All Things Naval Aviation podcast, France discussed the test pilot who flew the first E-2.

US Navy’s first Black female tactical air pilot earns Wings of Gold in Texas

U.S. Navy photo by Anne Owens/Released

The U.S. Navy’s first Black female tactical air (TACAIR) pilot received her Wings of Gold July 31, marking a significant milestone for Naval Aviation.

Virginia native Lt. j.g. Madeline G. Swegle was designated a naval aviator and received her Wings of Gold with 25 classmates during a small ceremony at Naval Air Station (NAS) Kingsville, Texas.

Swegle is assigned to the “Redhawks” of Training Squadron (VT) 21 under Training Air Wing 2 at NAS Kingsville and completed her final undergraduate TACAIR training flight in a T-45C Goshawk jet trainer aircraft July 7. VT-21 Commanding Officer Cmdr. Matthew Maher presented Wings of Gold to each of his graduates during the ceremony.