Blue Angels Fire a Pilot, Will Perform With 5 Planes For Last Three Shows

I'm a big fan of the Blue Angels and have seen them perform live on many occassions. I've also got a 4 hour documentary on them with a lot of behind the scenes footage of how the squadron operates, and it's clear that although they like to have fun, they're very serious about what they do and they way they comport themselves. As a pilot, you may be one of only 6 guys doing that job, but if you have a moral failure, you're gone:

PENSACOLA, Fla. — The U.S. Navy Blue Angels will be down one jet for the rest of its season after two members were removed from duty for an inappropriate relationship.

Capt. Tyson Dunkelberger, a spokesman for the flight demonstration team, said Thursday the squadron will finish its last three airshows next month — one in Texas and two in Florida — with five jets instead of six.

Dunkelberger would not identify the two members involved but said the relationship was between a man and a woman. All six of the F-18 stunt pilots are men, and 23 of the squadron's 133 members are women.

Dunkelberger says a military administrative hearing will be held to determine further disciplinary actions, which could include removal from the military.

Those two can kiss their Navy or Marine careers goodbye.