The U.S. Navy Flight Demonstration Squadron, the Blue Angels, held the squadron’s change of command ceremony at the National Naval Aviation Museum on Naval Air Station (NAS) Pensacola Nov. 4.
Cmdr. Tom Frosch relieved Capt. Greg McWherter as Blue Angel commanding officer/flight leader and commented on his optimism for the future and pride in taking command of the prestigious squadron.
“It is an absolute honor and privilege to take command of the Navy Flight Demonstration Squadron following Capt. McWherter’s lead, and I am proud to be part of such a superb and tradition-rich organization as the Blue Angels,” said Frosch.
Frosch joined the Blue Angels team in September. He was recently the commanding officer of Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 146, the “Blue Diamonds,” where he also served as executive officer. Frosch’s previous commands include VFA-106, the “Gladiators,” and VFA-87, the “Golden Warriors,” NAS Cecil Field, Fla., U.S. Naval Test Pilot School and VX-23, “The Salty Dogs,” NAS Patuxent River, Md., VFA-192, the “World Famous Golden Dragons,” NAS Atsugi, Japan, deployments with USS John F. Kennedy (CV 67) and USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN 71) and as an individual augmentee with the NATO International Security Assistance Force in Kabul, Afghanistan. He was also selected for the 2010 Navy and Marine Corps Association Leadership Award.
Frosch has more than 3,000 flight hours and 830 carrier arrested landings. His decorations include the Defense Meritorious Service Medal, two Meritorious Service Medals, two Individual Air Medals with Combat “V” (Six Strike Flight), three Navy Commendation Medals, one with Combat “V,” and numerous unit, campaign and service awards.
McWherter is scheduled to transfer from the Blue Angels to Naval Service Training Command on NAS Pensacola.
[mappress] Naval Today Staff, November 6, 2012; Image: US Navy