The Blue Angels start training next week in Florida, and Navy Lt. Holly Taylor will be among their storied ranks. The 36-year-old Taylor is currently assigned to Helicopter Anti-Submarine Squadron Light 49 at Naval Air Station North Island in San Diego, according to ChipleyBugle.com. Taylor grew up in Louisiana, and graduated from the University of Alabama.
According to ChipleyBugle.com, Taylor was one of 50 Navy and Marine Corps officers who applied to be a Blue Angel this year. Blue Angels applicants officer Lcdr. Jim Tomaszeski explained the process:
“The team had the chance to get to know each member at various air show events and social functions, giving us the opportunity to get to know them personally before selecting finalists. The finalists then came down to Pensacola for an extensive interview process designed to select the best officers for the 2012 Blue Angels’ team.”
Another officer stationed in California will join the team. Lt. Mark Tedrow of Lemoore Naval Air Station in Central California knew he wanted to become a Blue Angel when he saw the elite squad perform during his graduation from the United States Naval Academy. Fresno television station KMPH-TV interviewed Tedrow about what it's like to make a dream come true:
