Committed to Excellence | LT Brian “MO” Abe, Blue Angels Maintenance Officer | Produced by Ryan Nothhaft
Lieutenant Brian Abe is the 2022 Maintenance Officer for the United States Navy’s Flight Demonstration Squadron, the Blue Angels.
A native of Richardson, Texas, Lt Abe enlisted in the U.S. Navy in 1997 after graduating from Berkner High School. Upon his completion of Aviation Electronics Technician “A” School in Pensacola in June of 1998, Abe checked in to VFA-105 the “Gunslingers” at Cecil Field located in Duval County, Florida. In short order, Abe would find himself aboard the USS Enterprise (CVN-65) as part of the aircraft carrier’s preparations for operational deployment.
In the Winter of 1998, VFA-105 and Abe served as part of a combat deployment during Operation Desert Fox, with the mission to degrade Iraq’s ability to manufacture and use weapons of mass destruction. Continuing in his role as an Aviation Electronics Technician, Lt Abe also deployed in 2003 as part of Operation Iraqi Freedom.
In the Fall of 2010, Abe was promoted to Chief Petty Officer and later completed the Limited Duty Officer (LDO) Program in 2013, earning his commission as an Ensign in the U.S.Navy.
While serving at his first Duty Station with VFA-34 the “Blue Blasters”, Abe would be exposed to several former Blue Angels, including Manuel Sanchez, Rob Kurrle, and Max McCoy, who inspired him to submit an application to the demonstration squadron.
Lt Abe joined the Blue Angels in September of 2019. Within months and as the Team concluded a successful 2020 winter training in El Centro, California, the global Covid-19 pandemic arose. In the interest of safety for both the Team as well as the general public, the Blue Angels canceled their 2020 airshow season.
In response to the pandemic, the Blue Angels altered course and teamed with their Air Force counterparts, the Thunderbirds, for a joint mission to fly over major metropolitan cities in a show of support and unity with front line responders. The effort would be called Operation America Strong.
While Lt Abe played a critical role assisting with planning for Operation America Strong, the mission took on a more personal meaning when presented with the opportunity to fly in the backseat of the #2 jet for the flyover of Dallas, TX. Feeling an incredible sense of hometown pride as he observed the frontline medical staff from the cockpit, Abe experienced a poignant moment as he flew over the Military Entrance Processing Station (MEPS), the same facility that his father dropped him off at when first joining the Navy. Sadly, Lt. Abe’s father passed away just weeks later after his naval initiation.
Building upon the success of America Strong, the Blue Angels took possession of their first F/18E Super Hornets and C-130J Super Hercules in the Summer of 2020. Set to officially debut at the start of the 2021 airshow season, the Blues made their first televised public appearance in the Super Hornets as part of a flyover of the 2020 Army Navy Football game. Unfortunately, due to inclimate weather, the flyover was not visible for those watching on television.
2021 marked the 75th anniversary of the Blue Angels. With their two new platforms, the Team performed air shows around the United States including Corpus Christi, Orlando, Kansas City, Chicago, Fargo, San Francisco, and Pensacola Beach. Their momentum has continued into 2022 and will mark LT Abe's final year with the Blue Angels.
Produced by Ryan Nothhaft
email: ryan.nothhaft@gmail.com
This activity supports the U.S. Military and its Veterans; however, it is not officially connected to or endorsed by the U.S. Department of Defense or any of its branches.
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