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Fat Albert Pilot, Major Katie Higgins Cook (2015 - 2016)

51m · Blue Angel Phantoms · 26 Sep 11:00

Marine Corps aviator and veteran of Afghanistan, Major Katie Higgins Cook is the first female pilot to fly with the famed Blue Angels.

In this episode of the Blue Angel Phantoms Podcast, Major Cook discusses her family's incredible legacy in military aviation and the impact that it had during the course of her childhood and her decision to pursue a career as a Marine Corps aviator.  She also shares insights into how she selected the C-130 Hercules as her platform of choice before being deployed oversees to Afghanistan and Uganda.  

Major Cook goes on to share a story about a combat mission she executed while in Afghanistan that she now refers to one of the proudest moments in her career as a Marine.  

She also details her time on the Blue Angels, including the training program, her favorite demo maneuvers, and the tragic loss of her teammate and friend, Captain Jeff Kuss.  

Before signing off, Major Cook provides a brief update on her current career focus.  

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The episode Fat Albert Pilot, Major Katie Higgins Cook (2015 - 2016) from the podcast Blue Angel Phantoms has a duration of 51:57. It was first published 26 Sep 11:00. The cover art and the content belong to their respective owners.

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With its sleek and unusual tailless design, the Vought F7U Cutlass seemed like a perfect fit for the U.S. Navy's Flight Demonstration Team, the Blue Angels. However, as the Blues would find out, the aircraft's complex development history led to significant challenges and several near brushes with tragedy. 

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Special thanks to Nick Veronico for sharing this cassette tape with the Blue Angel Phantoms YouTube Channel.  

The interview featured within this video is protected by copyright owned by Nicholas A. Veronico. Any unauthorised reproduction, distribution, or public display of this interview or any part thereof is strictly prohibited without written consent from Mr. Veronico. © 2023 Nicholas A. Veronico

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Featuring Boss Gil Rud, Blue Angels Flight Leader (1986 - 1988) | Produced & hosted by Ryan Nothhaft, Blue Angel Phantoms

In this Interview, Boss Rud discusses his brand new memoir “From the Prairie to the Pacific: A Blue Angel’s Journey” that details his life from growing up in a small remote farming town in North Dakota to becoming the Commanding Officer of the Blue Angels and later the Captain of an aircraft carrier.  With ten deployments under his belt, Boss Rud attributes many of the lessons learned from his informative years on his family’s farm to later serving him well in his naval career.   

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1986 also marked the release of the feature film “Top Gun” produced by Paramount Pictures, and the music video “Dreams” by Van Halen. Each played a significant role in driving massive audiences to air shows in the years that followed. 

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With the new Hornets came new challenges. Boss Rud details how modifications had to be made with air traffic control in Pensacola so that the team could efficiently get their six jets to altitude for transit to air show sites. He also recalls the Blue Angels’ flyover of Super Bowl XXII in 1988 and his emotions after landing for his final airshow. 

Additional roles Boss Rud held prior to his retirement include CO of the USS Wabash, Deputy Commander & Chief of Staff of Task Force Five, and CO of the USS Constellation.

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