U.S. Navy Blue Angels 2008 Season - Enlisted Team Personal

Administration maintains instructions and notices, handles promotions and awards, and controls legal and security concerns.

Airframes is manned by nine maintenance technicians in the aviation maintenance hydraulics and structure ratings. This shop maintains landing, arresting and catapult gear, flight control, hydraulic systems and composite/sheet metal structural repair of the Boeing F/A-18 Hornets. During the air show season, an airframes representative accompanies the C-130 crew as a safety observer during Jet Assisted Take Offs (JATO).

The Aviation Medicine team performs annual physical examinations and emergency medical procedures, keeps medical and dental readiness up to date, and acts as a liaison for advanced medical care.

Avionics is manned by nine maintenance technicians in the aviation electronics technician and aviation electrician's mate ratings. This workcenter is responsible for the performance of scheduled and unscheduled maintenance and timely troubleshooting of F/A-18 and C-130 electronic flight controls, communication, navigation, radar, mission computers, digital and analog systems and fuel quantity.

Chief Petty Officers and Gunnery Sergeant are senior enlisted Blue Angels responsible for supervising the efforts of the Blue Angels support team. Their experience and knowledge ensures the successful day-to-day operations of the squadron.

The Command Master Chief (CMC), the senior enlisted leader assigned to the command, reports directly to the commanding officer. The CMC creates and implements policies regarding morale, welfare, job satisfaction, discipline and training of Blue Angels enlisted personnel.

Crew Chiefs work center is manned by fifteen maintenance technicians in various aviation ratings of both the Navy and Marine Corps. Two crew chiefs are assigned to each pilot, and they are responsible for performing engine turn-up operation and flight controls/instruments check as well as daily, turn-around and pre-flight inspections of the aircraft and its systems. Once assigned to a pilot, there are responsible for the set-up of the cockpit, the pilot's survival equipment and the overall appearance of the aircraft.

The Events Coordinator Department schedules preseason visits with show site sponsors and secures accommodations and ground support for each demonstration show.

Fat Albert Airlines: The all-Marine flight crew assigned to the squadron's C-130 Hercules transport is responsible for transporting road-crew personnel, supplies and equipment to and from each show site throughout the season. The crew also demonstrates the C-130's jet-assisted take-off (JATO), showcasing the aircraft's ability to take-off in less than 1,500 feet, climb at a 45-degree angle and reach an altitude of 1,000 feet in 14 seconds.

Maintenance Control: This shop is manned by two crew coordinators and three aviation maintenance administrationmen. the crew coordinators are responsible for the overall training of the maintenance and support team on all squadron procedures. they coordinate ground operations necessary to facilitate a Blue Angels performance. The administrationmen proved aircraft maintenance, technical and administrative support for 12 squadron aircraft and 80 personnel. They direct, coordinate and manage scheduled and unscheduled maintenance on squadron aircraft and ensure the accuracy of aircraft records.

The Maintenance Master Chief (MMC) is in charge of maintenance and training requirements for 80 persons in: Aircraft Avionics, Maintenance Control, Quality Assurance, Line, Video, Supply and Maintenance Administration.

Logistics: The Logistics Department researches, procures, stores, and issues spare parts, tools, and uniforms. Logistics also researches future squadron needs and initiates contracts for services required to support daily operations.

The Paint Shop is comprised of four maintenance technicians from various aviation ratings. Team members assigned to the Corrosion Controa/Paint Shop are responsible for painting operations and corrosion removal of the F/A-18 Hornets and Fat Albert, the C-130 transport aircraft.

Power Plants is comprised of seven maintenance technicians in the aviation machinist mate rating, representing both the Navy and Marine Corps. This shop maintains, services, adjusts and replaces aircraft engines and accessories, fuel systems and their accessories and the smoke system for Blue Angels aircraft. They also maintain the secondary power system of the F/A-18, which allows the aircraft to be started anywhere without external power.

The Public Affairs Office, writes, photographs, edits, publishes and distributes all promotional materials. The Public Affairs Office also coordinates coverage and interviews with local, national and international media.

Quality Assurance is comprised of six maintenance technocracies in various aviation ratings. The office prepares and assists in the preparation of maintenance instructions, reviews incoming technical directives and participates as members of the technical task force that investigates trouble areas and recommends corrective actions. Quality Assurance provides technical assistance to quality control inspectors and maintenance production personnel in the completion of aircraft maintenance, and regularly completes audits on work centers and specific maintenance programs.

The Video Shop is comprised of four maintenance technicians in various aviation ratings. They are responsible for filming each training flight and flight demonstration for use by the pilots during debrief. They also maintain the communications cart, which allows support officers to communicate with the pilots during flight. At each showsite, the shop is responsible for setting up the public address system.