PENSACOLA, Fla. (WTVF) — Navy Lieutenant Julius Bratton, of Woodlawn, Tennessee, has been selected to join the Blue Angels.
Earlier this week Lt. Bratton was selected as one of two new F/A-18 Demonstration Pilots for 2020. Four new pilots, in all, were selected, two F/A-18 pilots and two C-130 pilots.
“We had a phenomenal group of applicants this year,” said Capt. Eric Doyle, commanding officer and flight leader of the Blue Angels. “The 2020 Blue Angels are lucky to have these talented individuals join them to represent the Navy and Marine Corps in the team’s 74th show season.”
Lt. Bratton is an F/A-18 Hornet pilot currently assigned to the "Gladiators" of Strike Fighter Squadron 106. He graduated from the US Naval Academy in 2011.
The new team members will officially begin their training for the 2020 show season following the Blue Angels Homecoming Air Show at Naval Air Station Pensacola, Nov. 9.
The Blue Angels select finalists to interview at the team’s home base of Naval Air Station (NAS) Pensacola, Florida, during the week of the Pensacola Beach Air Show each year. The team makes selections at the conclusion of that week.
In addition to Lt. Bratton, Marine Corps Maj. Frank Zastoupil was selected as a new F/A-18 demonstration pilot. Marine Corps Capt. William Huckeba and Marine Corps Capt. Rick Rose were selected as new C-130 pilots.
