Produced by Ryan Nothhaft
email: [email protected]
Website: www.blueangelphantoms.com
Twitter: @blueangelf4
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Dan Keating is a former right wingman of the United States Navy Flight Demonstration Team, the Blue Angels.
After graduating from Ohio University in 1970, Dan joined the Marines as an officer, where he would receive his wings and eventually be deployed as part of Marine Aircraft Group 12 to Iwakuni, Japan.
Returning stateside in 1975, Dan served as an instructor in the A4 Skyhawk, where he was encourage to apply for the right wingman position for the 1977 Blue Angels team.
At the age of 28 Dan was accepted onto the Blue Angels and immediately started training with the team. Unfortunately, the Blues would suffer their first tragedy since transitioning to the A4 Skyhawk back in 1973 when on February, 22, 1977, opposing solo pilot, Nile Kraft, was killed during winter training in El Centro, California. As a result of the accident, Vance Parker, former solo pilot, was recalled to the Blue Angels. Three weeks later, the team would fly their first show of the season at Marine Corps Air Base Yuma and would continue to fly airshows all over the country including Chicago, Cleveland, San Francisco, San Diego, Oklahoma City, Pensacola, and Homestead, Florida.
Sadly, the Blue Angels would experience tragedy the following year in 1978 when Mike Curtin was killed while flying arrival maneuvers at Marine Corps Air Station Miramar. One week later, Dan Keating flew his last air show with the Blue Angels at Homestead Air Force Base.
After leaving the Marines, Dan flew with the Marine Reserves and eventually accepted a position at Southwest Airlines where he enjoyed a successful career until retirement.
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 BZruce Davey
8. LT Ray Sandelli
1978 Blue Angels Team
1. CRD Bil Newman
2. Capt Dan Keating, USMC
3. LCDR Bruce Davey
4. LCDR Don Simmons
5. LCDR John Miller
6. LT Mike Curtin
7. LCDR Mike Nord
8. LT Ray Sandelli
SPECIAL THANKS TO:
The Blue Angels Association for connecting me with Dan Keating.
Dan Keating and the Keating family for allowing me into their home to conduct the interview and for sharing photos and personal home video footage.
Al Cisneros for sharing his recollections of the 1977 season.
Russell Gann for continuing to share his father's archive of Blue Angel photos
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