Blue Angels Leader, Keith "Casey" Jones
ฝัง
- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 12 มี.ค. 2021
- Produced by Ryan Nothhaft
www.blueangelphantoms.com
Email: blueangelphantoms@gmail.com
Twitter: @blueangelf4
Instagram: @blueangelphantoms
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Also make sure to check out the Blue Angels Association:
Twitter: @blueangelsassoc
Instagram: @blueangelsassociation
Facebook: Blue Angels Association
Stock footage from:
- Wingtip to Canopy - Produced by Douglas Aircraft Company & Pratt and Whitney
- Portrait of the Blue Angels Flight Demonstration Team - Produced by McDonnell Douglas
- 1976 Bicentennial Air Show Footage - Private collection of Blue Angel Phantoms
- Still Images: U.S. National Archives
- Vance Parker & Nile Kraft Photos: website: In Pics and Word
- Interview filmed in January 2021 by Ryan Nothhaft on a Sony A7 III
Keith "Casey" Jones serve as the leader of the Blue Angels from 1976 through the 1977 air show seasons.
From Shreveport, Louisiana, Jones graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy at Annapolis, Md., in 1960. After completing flight training in both Pensacola, Fl and Kingsville, TX, Jones was assigned to NAS Lemoore where he flew the A4 Skyhawk. Eventually he'd be deployed aboard the USS Hancock and would participate in the early stages of the Vietnam War.
After his combat tour, Jones reported to the Naval Post Graduate School in Monterey, CA and received a degree in Aeronautical Engineering. Holding the rank of Lieutenant Commander, Jones entered the Navy's Bobby Sox program, elevating his responsibilities one grade above his actual rank. However, at the completion of the program, Jones had difficulties finding a job within the Navy that aligned with his experience. It was this challenge that served as the catalyst for Jones to submit an application to become leader of the Blue Angels.
Jones took command of the Blue Angels at the conclusion of the 1975 season and officially flew his first air show as leader in March of 1976, which also served as the 30th anniversary of the Blue Angels as well as the bicentennial of the United States. After enjoyed a successful first season, tragedy would strike during winter training of 1977 when Lt. Nile Kraft, the team's new opposing solo, lost his life during a training accident. Devastated, the team regrouped, brought back former pilot Vance Parker to fill the opposing solo position, and flew their first air show with 6 airplanes just weeks later. The 1977 team would go on to have a successful season with the focus of flying the perfect air show.
Jones served a total of 29 years in the Navy, eventually retiring from active duty in 1985.
COMBAT TOURS:
Vietnam: USS Hancock (CVA19), VA-216 2/65-5/65.
USS Kitty Hawk (CV63), VA-192 12/70-6/71.
USS Kitty Hawk (CV63), VA-192 3/72-3/72.
AVIATION COMMANDS:
CO, VA-153.
CO, Navy Flight Demonstration Squadron (Blue Angels). CO, CVW-3 USS Saratoga (CV60).
CO, USS Shreveport (LPD12).
COMBAT AWARDS:
1 Distinguished Flying Cross
1 Individual Air Medal
19 Strike/Flight Air Medals
1 Navy Commendation Medal
1 Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Palm and Silver Star
DUTY ASSIGNMENT CHRONOLOGY:
6/56-6/60: US Naval Academy.
7/60-10/60: US Navy School of Preflight, NAS Pensacola. VT-1 NAAS Saufley Field.
10/60-12/60: VT-7 NAAS Kingsville.
1/61-6/61: VT-4 NAS Pensacola.
7/61-8/61: VT-22 NAAS Kingsville.
9/61-12/61: VT-23 NAAS Kingsville.
1/62-2/62: Duty Assignment Chronology
4/62: VA-127 NAS Lemoore.
4/62-9/63: VA-125 NAS Lemoore.
10/63-12/65: VA-216 NAS Lemoore/USS Hancock (CVA19).
1/66-9/67: Naval Post Graduate School (Aeronautical Engineering).
10/67-3/70: VA-122 NAS Lemoore.
3/70-3/72: VA-192 NAS Lemoore/USS Kitty Hawk (CV63).
4/72-6/72: VA-122 NAS Lemoore.
8/72-1/73: Armed Forces Staff College.
3/73: VA-127 NAS Lemoore.
3/73-6/73: VA-125 NAS Lemoore.
7/73-9/75: VA-153 NAS Lemoore/USS Oriskany (CV34).
9/75: VA-127 NAS Lemoore.
10/75-2/78 NFDS (Blue Angels) NAS Pensacola. VT-86 NAS Pensacola.
2/78-3/78: VA-174 NAS Cecil Field.
7/78-8/78: VF-171 NAS Oceana.
8/78-9/78: VS-41 NAS North Island.
9/78: VAQ-129 NAS Whidbey Island.
9/78-12/79: CVW-3 NAS Cecil Field/USS Saratoga (CV60).
12/79-5/81: Naval Military Personnel Command, Washington.
5/81-1/82: Deep Draft Training.
2/82-7/83: USS Shreveport (LPD12) Norfolk.
7/83-12/85: Commander Naval Air Forces US Pacific Fleet.
12/85: Retired from active duty.
1977 BLUE ANGELS TEAM:
1. CDR Casey Jones
2. Capt Bill Holverstott, USMC
3. LT Al Cisneros
4. LT John Patton
5. LT Denny Sapp
6. LT John Miller
7. LT Nile Kraft
8. LT Jim Bauer
MO LT Mike Deeter
Doc LCDR Tim Peterson
AO LCDR Leo Boor
SUPO LT JG Al Pulley
1977 BLUE ANGELS TEAM
1. CDR Casey Jones
2. Capt Dan Keating, USMC
3. LCDR Don Simmons
4. LT Al Cisneros
5. LCDR John Miller
6. LCDR Vance Parker
7. LCDR Bruce Davey
8. LT Ray Sandelli
MO LT Jack Johnson
Doc LCDR Tim Peterson
Doc LT Bernard Gipson
AO LCDR Leo Boor / LT Bill Clark
SUPO LT JG Al Pulley / LTJG Robert Faul - ยานยนต์และพาหนะ
Carl Kraft: Nice comments directed to Casey Jones. I was Casey Jones’s Crew Chief on the #1 Jet and later flew with Bruce Davey as the #7 Crew Chief. Bruce and I were on the advanced team to setup show sites. As a matter of fact, I had at times, prepared your father’s aircraft for upcoming flights. Your father was an outstanding naval officer and always had kind words for me; really a personable officer who always gave a big thanks both before and after each flight.
Thank you for everything Cndr. Jones. You met my brother and I, Phil and Carl Kraft, Nile's service. In 1977, right after his death. You were inspirational and inspiring. Thank you for your sevice.
Carl, I made a comment regarding your father but somehow it ended up in the general comments section.
Such a huge pleasure to listen to Boss Jones recall his naval career-, not just his stint in the Blue Angels.
His wavering voice with relived emotions tells it all.
Terrific blasts from the past with amazing story tellers.
Thank you for an amazing series.
Such a wise, practical and humble gentleman.
Blessed man
I met Casey after my cousin Lt. Nile Kraft had crashed and he was the most welcoming compassionate man I've had the pleasure of meeting. He was so accommodating. His quote was " if I knew I would be on the Blue Angels I couldn't wait to grow up".
Thank you for sharing your story and thank you for your service!
Another excellent interview Ryan. Great story telling Boss and a wonderful part of Team history.
Thanks, Bob, always appreciate your support!
I still have the fancy 1976 team program with all of the team members signatures. My father served 30 years in the Navy so I saw the Blue Angels many times and still do whenever they are in town. So many good memories for my Dad and I, he sadly passed in 1995. Thank you for these videos.
Hi Ryan,
Great job having this interview with Boss Jones. It was his ‘76 team where I saw the Blues perform for the first time. I was just finishing high school and they flew air shows in Miami-Opa locka. The pilots on that team were of course, 1-Cmdr Casey Jones, 2-Capt Bill Holverstott, USMC, 3-Lt Al Cisneros, 4-Lt John Patton, 5-Lt Denny Sapp, 6-Lt John Miller, 7-Lt Nile Kraft. Needless to say I was in total awe and hooked for life. Thanks again and be well young man.
😁 You never know who you’ll “meet” in the YT comment sections…saw the Blues at CGAS Opa-Locka many times. My dad was a SAR pilot stationed there.
@@jeffk1482 wow small world. When I first started my pilot training in 1975, my initial instructor was a SAR helicopter pilot at CGAS Miami
Good fighter❤
Amazing the Best
Love these interviews
Proud to have him as a commanding officer from va153 before he left for the blue angels
these planes are inportant to me good vid and its a onner to meet the captian
Thanks very much....!!
I'm thinking we should probably interview a couple former F4 pilots for this channel as we ;)
How do you get these ole shots love em
I’m a collector of old footage. Love getting to share them with all of you!
Who was the blue angel that was married to that Vietnamese woman in 74-76. A?