Get To Know the Blue Angels Pilots Flying Across Dallas-Fort Worth Wednesday
The U.S. Navy Blue Angels will fly above North Texas on Wednesday to honor health care workers and first responders on the front line of the fight against COVID-19. Get to know the pilots behind the awesome maneuvers.
Commander Brian C. Kesselring is a native of Fargo, North Dakota. He graduated from Concordia College, MN, where he earned a Bachelor of Arts undergraduate degree with majors in Physics, Mathematics, and,
Business while also competing in basketball and track & field. Upon graduation, Brian attended Officer Candidate School in Pensacola, Florida, where he earned his,
commission as an Ensign in the U.S. Navy in March 2001. Brian joined the Blue Angels in September 2019. He has accumulated more than 3,900 flight hours and has 812 carrier-arrested landings. His decorations include the Meritorious Service Medal, six,
Strike/Flight Air Medals, three Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medals, two Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medals, and various personal, unit and service awards.
Lieutenant Commander James Haley is a native of Canadian, Texas. He graduated from New Mexico Military Institute in 2005,
where he lettered in football and track. He attended the U.S. Naval Academy in Annapolis, Maryland, graduated with a,
Bachelor of Science in Systems Engineering in 2009, and earned his commission as an Ensign in the U.S. Navy. James joined the,
Blue Angels in September 2018. He has accumulated more than 1,700 flight hours and has 266 carrier-arrested landings. His decorations include a Strike Flight Air Medal, a Navy and Marine Corps,
Commendation Medal, a Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal, and various personal and unit awards.
