2010-02-24 / Front Page
Blue Angels history made in Kingsville
A Blue Angels F/A 18 Hornet touches down at Naval Air Station Kingsville Feb. 22, completing its final flight on active duty for the Navy. The aircraft, which has flown in more than 200 air shows with the Blue Angels since 2002, was piloted by Lt. Col Len Anderson, a former Blue Angels pilot who earned his Wings at NAS Kingsville in 1995. The aircraft is being retired from service as the Blue Angels transition to the F/A 18 E/F Super Hornet. The aircraft will now become a permanent static display aircraft at NAS Kingsville. 
Marine Corps Lt. Col. Len Anderson piloted Blue Angel 1 Monday the aircraft’s historic final flight on active duty. Anderson is a former Blue Angel pilot who earned his wings at NAS Kingsville in 1995. 
Marine Corps Lt. Col. Len Anderson answers questions from the media after landing Blue Angel 1 at NAS Kingsville on Monday. 
On hand to greet Blue Angel 1 were Dr. Steven Tallant, president of Texas A&M University-Kingsville (left); Capt. Philip Waddingham, commanding officer of NAS Kingsville (third from left); and Dick Messbarger, executive director of the Kingsville Economic Development Council and past president of the local Navy League chapter (far right). Also pictured is Marine Corps Lt. Col. Len Anderson (second from left), who piloted the F/A 18. (Photos courtesy of Kingsville Naval Air Station Public Affairs Office) 
