First African American Blue Angel

Donnie L. Cochran was born July 6, 1954, on a farm near Pelham Georgia, into a family consisting of his mother and father and 11 brothers and sisters. His inspiration for flying was sparked by occasional glimpses of Navy jet fighters on various aerobatics maneuvers. Pelham Georgia is located in southwest Georgia which is located at the intersection of highways 65, 93 and 262 about 100 miles south of Albany Georgia. This writer is unsure of the base station of these Navy jets, but they were probably out of the Naval Air Station of Pensacola Florida. Cochran earned a Civil Engineering degree on a Naval ROTC scholarship at Savannah State college in 1976 . He earned his Navy wings in 1978 after completing basic and advanced Jet training. In aviation language "earning your wings" actually means that an individual has completed flight school and is now recognized as a pilot (that is, what is frequently termed a Naval aviator) capable of flying various types of aircraft (Airplanes). In 1986, Lieutenant Commander Cochran had flown more than 2,000 hours in jet fighters and completed 469 carrier landings.

Cochran answered the call of duty two times as a member of the Blue Angels precision flying team, both times following unfortunate incidents involving other aviators. On July 13, 1985, during an air show at Niagara Falls International Airport, two A-4 Sky Hawk jet aircraft collided. One pilot was killed, Navy Lieutenant Commander Mike Gershon, of Pensacola Florida and the other, Lieutenant Andy Caputi, 30, ejected from his plane and landed safely on the grounds of the Niagara Falls air Force Base. Lieutenant Commander Cochran, along with two other pilots, were selected to replace these two members of the Blue Angels precision flying team.

In this capacity, on October 4, 1985, three months following the fatal crash at Niagara Falls New York, Cochran became the first African American to become a member of the Blue Angels precision flying team in the history of its 40 year existence.

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[007MegaPhoenix]

Black Men we are fuckin AWESOME!!!!.....

[matthewkneff]

@vlgriffin918 as a former Navy Rescue Swimmer I have the utmost respect for all of you pilots because you gave it to us for what we did. Sir, just say when and where and my shipmates and I will be there right BESIDE you to kick some ass.

AO3 Neff, USN, Aircrewman/Rescue Swimmer (MedHonDis for injuries recieved in the line of DUTY)

[vlgriffin918]

@zyclonlover HEY ZYCLONLOVER<<<<<THE NEXT TIME YOU WANNA CALL SOMEONE A NIGGER YOU UNEDUCATED MOTHERFUCKER I WILL FIND YOU<<<<<<<AND IF YOU HAVE AND PROBLEMS WITH WHAT I SAID WE CAN MEET UP SOMEWHERE AND HANDLE IT<<<<<<MAJ. V. GRIFFIN USMCR<<<<<<F/A18 PILOT<<<<<<<<<<<<<

[zyclonlover]

He served a second tour with the Blue Angels as its Commanding Officer but voluntarily relieved himself of command because his flying skills were less safe than they should be. Still though, he's a good nigger...

[aaron8862006]

Actually, sadly, LCDR Cochran was brought back as Boss for the purpose of affirmative action... hopefully the last time that happens. He stepped down himself on account of trouble with the demonstration... that takes balls.

[dattgaboi]

that is a nice summary but pelham is only 35 miles south of albany, ga

[dattgaboi]

that's my homeboy uncle straight from our hometown pelham, ga where dreams are possible

[parrislane]

I'm a 6th generation Annapolitan. My dad did 24 yrs. in the Navy so did my grand dad. Now for most of my life every year we watch the Blue Angels. Never ever did I ever hear of there being an African American Blue Angel... This is great to know.. I'm going to show this to all of my friends and family in Annapolis!

[starguard]

Where did anyone say that he was better than anyone? They simply said that he was the first Arfican American pilot to fly with the Blue Angels

[mattrjim]

So because he's African American he's better than all the white pilots? Is that what there going at?