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The Pivot: Amanda Lee's Unlikely Journey to the Blue Angels

Amanda Lee dreamed of becoming a doctor and had little exposure to air shows, making a future in aviation seem unlikely. However, a life-changing decision led her not only to a career in military aviation but also to make history as the first female pilot of the U.S. Navy's elite flight demonstration squadron, the Blue Angels. In this video, you'll get a firsthand account of LCDR Lee’s journey from her upbringing in Mounds View, Minnesota, to her unexpected path to the Navy. Discover her pursuit of becoming an F/A-18 Super Hornet pilot and gain insight into the rigorous Blue Angels application process. You'll also hear candid reflections on the challenges LCDR Lee faced during her first winter training in El Centro, California, and what it’s like to fly a sequence of maneuvers known as “the gauntlet” due to their extreme difficulty. Through her hard work and dedication, Amanda has fully embraced what it means to be a Blue Angel, continually striving for excellence in every aspect of her career. MORE ABOUT LCDR AMANDA LEE Growing up in Mounds View, Minnesota, LCDR Lee had little exposure to aviation or air shows. It wasn't until middle school that she took her first commercial flight to Orlando to visit Disneyland. As a result, aviation didn't capture her imagination during her formative years. Instead, she aspired to a medical career and enrolled in the University of Minnesota in Duluth for Pre-Med. However, seeking a change, Amanda made the difficult decision to pivot career directions and enlisted in the United States Navy in 2007. She initially served as an Aviation Electronics Technician, excelling as part of VFA-136 "Knighthawks." In 2009, Lee's Division Chief encouraged her to apply to the Seaman-to-Admiral (STA-21) commissioning program. She earned her commission in August 2013 after receiving a Bachelor of Science in Biochemistry from Old Dominion University in Norfolk, Virginia. Amanda then attended primary flight training at Naval Air Station (NAS) Pensacola, Florida, progressing through the program and flying aircraft including the T-6B Texan II and the T-45 Goshawk. She earned her designation as a Naval Aviator in April 2016. With a desire to fly the same aircraft she had worked on as an Aviation Technician, Lee was assigned to the "Gladiators" of VFA-106 at NAS Oceana, where she trained in the F/A-18 Super Hornet. She then deployed on combat missions aboard the USS Harry S Truman (CVN-75) with the "SUNLINERS" of VFA-81. Returning to NAS Oceana in 2020, Amanda rejoined VFA-106 as an Instructor Pilot in the F/A-18 E/F. During this time, she was also named the lead East Coast Rhino Demo Team pilot, showcasing the capabilities of the Super Hornet at air shows across the country. This assignment introduced her to the Blue Angels. Enjoying the public outreach aspect of the Rhino Demo Team, Amanda applied to the Blue Angels to continue these efforts. Amanda officially joined the Blue Angels in September 2022, taking on the responsibilities of the Left Wing (#3) for the 2023 airshow season. Prior to her selection, she accumulated over 1,800 flight hours and 225 carrier-arrested landings. As part of the traditional progression of the #3 pilot, Amanda transitioned to the role of Slot Pilot (#4) in 2024 and now serves as the Team’s Safety Officer. Produced by: Ryan Nothhaft Special Thanks to: U.S. Navy Blue Angels LCDR Amanda Lee LT Ben Bushong MCC Michael Russell MC1 Cody Deccio MC2 Crayton Agnew Footage & Photos By: ABC News Hun Chustine Minoda Lance Cpl. Jackson Rush Laura Bogan LCDR Lydia Bock Matthew Callahan MC2 Scott Swofford Mike Bilek Petty Officer 3rd Class Connor Loessin Ryan Nothhaft | RyNo Media Productions LLC Spencer Hughes Staff Sgt. Ryan Gomez Sgt. Taylor Zacherl U.S. Navy Blue Angels 2023 Blue Angels Team: 1. CDR Alexander Armatas 2. LCDR Chris Kapuschansky 3. LT Amanda Lee 4. LT Scott Goossens 5. LCDR Julius Bratton 6. LCDR Griffin Stangel 7. LCDR Thomas Zimmerman 8. LCDR Brian Vaught XO CRD Jon Fay M1 CAPT Jackson Streiff, USMC M2 MAJ Joshua Soltan, USMC M3 CAPT Samuel Petko, USMC MO LT Henry Cedeno Assistant MO LCDR Gregory Jones Flight Surgeon LT Philippe Warren SO LT Paul Kruger 2024 Blue Angels 1. CDR Alex Armatas 2. LCDR Jack Keilty 3. LT Wes Perkins 4. LCDR Amanda Lee 5. LCDR Griffin Stangel 6. CDR Thomas Zimmerman 7. LT Connor O'Donnell 8. LCDR Brian Vaught XO CDR Bryce Aubuchon Maj Josh Soltan, USMC Cast Sam Petko, USMC Capt Isaac Becker, USMC MO LCDR Greg Jones Assistant MO LCDR Natalia Luchetti DOC LCDR Philippe Warren SUPO LTJG Mara Mason PAO LT Ben Bushong