Page 20 - 2020 LA County Air Show Guide

20 Los Angeles County Air Show
March 21-22, 2020
BLUE ANGELS, from 19
its 1,000th air show in Lemoore, Blue Angels transitioned to a
Calif., July 4, 1963. Marine Corps Lockheed KC-
• As efforts to integrate wom- 130F Hercules — a tactical
en more fully in military service transport aircraft. It was oper-
progressed, the Blue Angels se- ated by an all-Marine crew and
lected a female officer to join affectionately named “Fat Al-
the team in October 1968. Lt. bert.” The team still recruits an
Mary Russell reported to the all-Marine aircrew to operate its
Blue Angels as the Assistant Fat Albert logistics aircraft to-
Public Affairs Officer, and later day, but has upgraded to a Lock-
worked as the Assistant Admin- heed Martin C-130T Hercules.
istrative Officer. Russell was the • In 1972, the team was
first woman ever to serve on the awarded the Navy’s Meritori-
Blue Angels. ous Unit Commendation for the
• At the end of 1969, the team two-year period from March 1,
transitioned to the McDonnell 1970-Dec. 31, 1971.
Douglas F-4J Phantom II. It • On Oct. 8, 1977, in Atlanta,
was the only aircraft flown by Ga., the Blue Angels hit anoth-
both the Blue Angels and the er milestone for the team when
Air Force Thunderbirds. they flew their 2,000th air show.
• In 1970, after operating a • In 1978, Aviation Electri-
variety of logistics aircraft, the See BLUE ANGELS, Page 21 Photograph by Jim Mumaw

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