Blue Angels 2021: United in the Heartland (NEW SHORT DOCUMENTARY)

Go behind the scenes in this short cinematic documentary with the 2021 Blue Angels team as they prepare for and fly a rare joint air show with the U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds on the Fourth of July.

Watch the Blue Angels as they hit the ground running at the New Century AirCenter located just outside Kansas City and get a sense of what an air show weekend is like for team Narrator, Lt. Julius Bratton, as he orchestrates the many moving parts of the monumental show. Follow Lt. Bratton as gives media and VIP rides in one of the Blues' new F/18 Super Hornets, including to Kansas City Chiefs long snapper, James Winchester. and KMBC 9 report, Rob Hughes.

Hear from Opposing Solo pilot, Cary Rickoff, as he opens up about a recent health challenge that has temporarily grounded him and his incredible road to recovery.

Finally, take in scenes from both the Blue Angels & Thunderbird demos from the KC Air Show weekend and learn how the two teams have forged and strengthened their relationship over the last two years.

Featured in this film:

Blue Angels Pilots
Lieutenant Commander Cary Rickoff, #6 Opposing Solo
Lieutenant Julius Bratton, #7 Narrator
SSGT Nathan Lyons, Crew Chief | USMC

Thunderbirds Pilot
Michael Brewer, #4 Slot

Others:
James Winchester, Kansas City Chiefs long snapper
Rob Hughes, KMBC 9 news reporter

Special thanks to Lieutenant Chelsea Dietlin, Public Affairs Officer for the Blue Angels

This activity supports the U.S. Military and its Veterans; however, it is not officially connected to or endorsed by the U.S. Department of Defense or any of its branches.

- Video produced by Ryan Nothhaft
- Instagram: @blueangelphantoms

- Music licensed on MUSICBED and SoundStripe
- Feature Song: "Alive" performed by Lone Waves
- Filmed on a Sony A7III and Sony A7SII

2021 BLUE ANGELS PILOTS & OFFICERS

#1 | CDR BRIAN C. KESSELRING | USN
#2 | LCDR JAMES HALEY | USN
#3 | MAJ FRANK ZASTOUPIL | USMC
#4 | LCDR JAMES COX | USN
#5 | CDR BEN WALBORN | USN
#6 | LCDR CARY RICKOFF | USN
#7 | LT JULIUS BRATTON | USN
#8 | LT KATLIN FORSTER | USN
EXECUTIVE OFFICER | CDR TODD ROYLES | USN
MAINTENANCE OFFICER | BRIAN ABE | USN
ASSISTANT MAINTENANCE OFFICER | LT HENRY CEDEÑO | USN
FLIGHT SURGEON | LT MONICA L. BORZA | USN
SUPPLY OFFICER | LT KRISTIN A. TOLAND | USN
PUBLIC AFFAIRS OFFICER | LT CHELSEA DIETLIN | USN

C-130 "FAT ALBERT" PILOTS

M1 | MAJ RICK ROSE | USMC
M2 | CAPT WILLIAM HUCKEBA | USMC
M3 | CAPT JACKSON STREIFF | USMC

2021 BLUE ANGELS SCHEDULE

APRIL
17 · 18 | Lakeland, FL | Sun N' Fun Aerospace Expo

MAY
1 · 2 | Corpus Christi, TX | Wings Over South Texas
8 · 9 | Fort Lauderdale, FL | Fort Lauderdale Air Show
15 · 16 | Melbourne, FL | Great Florida Air Show
26 | Annapolis, MD | USNA Air Show
28 | Annapolis, MD | USNA Commissioning Flyover
29 · 30 | Latrobe, PA | Westmoreland County Air Show

JUNE
5 · 6 | Lake Charles, LA | Chennault International Air Show
12 · 13 | La Crosse, WI | Deke Slayton Airfest
19 · 20 | Niagara Falls, NY | Thunder on the Buffalo Waterfront
26 · 27 | Duluth, MN | Duluth Air and Aviation Expo

JULY
3 · 4 | New Century, KS | KC Air Show
10 | Pensacola Beach, FL | Pensacola Beach Air Show
24 · 25 | Fargo, ND | Fargo AirShow
31 | Eielson AFB, AK | Arctic Lightning Air Show

AUGUST
1 | Eielson AFB, AK | Arctic Lightning Air Show
7 · 8 | YPSILANTI, MI | Thunder over Michigan
14 · 15 | Owensboro, KY | Owensboro Air Show
21 · 22 | Chicago, IL | Chicago Air and Water Show
28 · 29 | London, Ontario, Canada | Air Show London

SEPTEMBER
4 - 5 | Brunswick, ME | The Great State of Main Air Show
18 · 19 | NAS Oceana, VA | NAS Oceana Air Show
25 - 26 | MCAS Cherry Point, NC | Cherry Point Air Show

OCTOBER
2 · 3 | Huntington Beach, CA | The Great Pacific Air Show
9 · 10 | San Francisco, CA | San Francisco Fleet Week
16 · 17 | Loveland, CO | The Great Colorado Air Show
23 · 24 | Fort Worth, TX | Bell Fort Worth Alliance Air Show
30 · 31 | Rome, GA | Wings Over North Georgia

NOVEMBER:
5 · 6 | NAS Pensacola, FL | NAS Pensacola Homecoming Air Show

2021 U.S. THUNDERBIRDS PILOTS

#1 COL JOHN CADWELL
#2 MAJ IAN LEE
#3 MAJ ZANE TAYLOR
#4 MAJ MICHAEL BREWER
#5 MAJ MICHELLE CURRAN
#6 MAJ KYLE OLIVER
#7 MAJ RYAN YINGLING
#8 MAJ JASON MARKZON

[dedododo-dedadada]

What a joy Lt. Bratton is! He represents The Blues, America, and the Spirit of a Grateful Heart superbly! Such a great video! Thanks!

[darlenehorn]

My Grandson and I was so honored to beable to attend the show. My other Grandson is in the Navy stationed at Lemoore California. He is a aviation Mechanic working on F-18 Super Hornet squadron Black Aces. So very proud of him and all who serve.

[johnaconservativevet]

I am so blessed to live in Pensacola Florida, home of the Blues. We LOVE our Blues!!!

[warrenchambers]

I worked thru the pandemic never missed a day and I can tell you for me when I saw the Blues and Thunderbirds fly over I truly had tears in my eyes. I really felt it the thanks sent out by the president and the Supreme flyin display just moved me.

[USAIRFORCE]

Had the privilege to see the USAF Thunderbirds outstanding performance off Ocean City, MD this year but it has been over 17 years since I've seen the remarkable USN Blue Angels perform in person, I hope to change that in 2022 when they return to perform near the U.S. Naval Academy! The support that both of these teams have given and continue to give the American people as we recover from the pandemic has been absolutely phenomenal and very much appreciated!

[pkorns]

I just get the greatest goosebumps watching these videos! It definitely makes me feel "Alive"!!!!

[MoodyBlue..]

Welcome back Lcdr Rickoff!!
Another great video Ryan!!

[fyremanbill]

Welcome back sir! Great to have you back doing what you love to do and what we love to watch you do!

[JR]

Thank you and your brothers and sisters for y’all’s service to this great country thanks from the bottom of my heart I love freedom🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸

[briancourser]

The show was fantastic. Thanks for the video.

[zackperezski]

Excellent video! I love the documentaries you put together, Ryan. I'll be attending the Thunder Over Michigan show next week, so I am looking forward to seeing both teams perform!

[hiddenspotsbc]

Great vid. Nice to see Blue Angels and Thunderbirds together like this. 🇺🇸

[dedododo-dedadada]

Exceptionalism is better than all other isms!

[JPM-NM]

Great to hear the story on Chewy. I noticed they had never taken his name off the 6 jet and wondered what the story was. Can't wait to see him back in the cockpit and flying again.

[adrianlopez]

Another great documentary Ryan !! Keep them up !!!

[sandysisson]

I want to ride along! Do you ever take just regular people like me? HOW COOL!

[jerrywhite]

As always, another great video! Thank you, Ryan.

[mattischlese]

Incredible video, you deserve more followers...

[NavyTimes.]

This channel never fails to make a great video! Keep up the good work Ryan!

[thereissomecoolstuff]

Ryan these are great. Thanks for interviewing Chewy. I never heard what happened. Good dude. Better Everytime. Big thumbs up.