Navy
Navy Blue Angels select officers for 2026 air show season
Stars and Stripes
July 14, 2025
The U.S. Navy Blue Angels perform a demonstration during the Pensacola Beach Air Show in Florida, July 9-12, 2025. (U.S. Navy Blue Angels via Facebook)
The Blue Angels have selected seven new officers to join the team for the 2026 air show season.
The squadron selected three F/A-18E/F Super Hornet pilots, a C-130J Super Hercules pilot, an assistant maintenance officer, a supply officer and a public affairs officer to replace outgoing team members, according to a news release.
“We’re proud to announce our 2026 officers and can’t wait to see the impact they’ll have on next season’s demonstration team,” said Cdr. Adam Bryan, commanding officer and flight leader of the Blue Angels.
The finalists were interviewed at Naval Air Station Pensacola, the team’s home base, during the week of the Pensacola Beach Air Show, and selections were announced at the end of the show on Saturday.
“Selecting new officers is never easy with such a strong pool of candidates,” said Bryan.
The new officers will report to the squadron in September for a two-month turnover period. When this year’s season concludes in November, the officers will embark on a five-month training program at NAS Pensacola and Naval Air Facility El Centro, Calif.,
Lt. Ronny Hafeza, from Redondo Beach, Calif., is currently assigned to Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 122. (U.S. Navy Blue Angels via Facebook)
Lt. Cam Schneider, from Thousand Oaks, Calif., is currently assigned to Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 122. (U.S. Navy Blue Angels via Facebook)
Lt. Chris Houben, from Geneva, Ill., is currently assigned to Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 106. (U.S. Navy Blue Angels via Facebook)
Capt. Olivia Bair, from Findlay, Ohio, is currently assigned to Marine Aerial Refueler Transport Squadron (VMGR) 352. (U.S. Navy Blue Angels via Facebook)
Chief Warrant Officer 3 Jhulem Edejer, from Olongapo City, Philippines, is currently assigned to Electronic Attack Squadron (VAQ) 139. (U.S. Navy Blue Angels via Facebook)
Lt. Garrett Wiedle, from Fredericksburg, Va., is currently assigned to Electronic Attack Wing Pacific. (U.S. Navy Blue Angels via Facebook)
1st Lt. Danielle Cribb, from Beaufort, S.C., is currently assigned to Marine Corps Air Station Beaufort. (U.S. Navy Blue Angels via Facebook)
The selected 2026 officers include:
F/A-18E/F Demonstration Pilots:
Lt. Ronny Hafeza, from Redondo Beach, Calif., is currently assigned to Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 122. He graduated from the University of Colorado, Boulder, in 2015.
Lt. Cam Schneider, from Thousand Oaks, Calif., is currently assigned to Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 122. He graduated from the University of California, Santa Barbara, in 2014.
Lt. Chris Houben, from Geneva, Ill., is currently assigned to Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 106. He graduated from the University of Wisconsin, Madison, in 2017.
C-130J Demonstration Pilot:
Capt. Olivia Bair, from Findlay, Ohio, is currently assigned to Marine Aerial Refueler Transport Squadron (VMGR) 352. She graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy in 2018.
Assistant Maintenance Officer:
Chief Warrant Officer 3 Jhulem Edejer, from Olongapo City, Philippines, is currently assigned to Electronic Attack Squadron (VAQ) 139. He joined the Navy in 2004.
Supply Officer:
Lt. Garrett Wiedle, from Fredericksburg, Va., is currently assigned to Electronic Attack Wing Pacific. He graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy in 2019.
Public Affairs Officer:
1st Lt. Danielle Cribb, from Beaufort, S.C., is currently assigned to Marine Corps Air Station Beaufort. She graduated from The Citadel in 2021.