Lieutenent Commander Ben Walborn was a member of The Blue Angels from 2009 until 2011. During those three years he served as the team's narrator (Blue Angel #7) in 2009, the Opposing Solo in 2010 (Blue Angel #6) and finally as lead solo in 2011 (Blue Angel #5).
Life[]
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Lieutenant Ben Walborn is a native of Reading, Pa., and graduated from The Hill School in 1997 where he lettered in soccer and lacrosse. He attended the United States Naval Academy earning a Bachelor of Science degree in Political Science in 2001, and was commissioned an Ensign in the U.S. Navy.
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Ben reported to Naval Air Station (NAS) Pensacola, Fla., for aviation indoctrination in November 2001. He completed primary flight training in the T-34C Mentor in Corpus Christi, Texas, and transferred to NAS Meridian, Miss., for intermediate and advanced flight training in the T-2C Buckeye and T-45C Goshawk. He received his wings of gold in April 2004.
In May 2004, Ben reported to Strike Fighter Squadron 122 (VFA-122), the "Flying Eagles," in Lemoore, Calif., for initial training in the F/A-18E/F Super Hornet. In January 2005, he reported to the VFA-27 "Royal Maces" stationed in Atsugi, Japan. While assigned to VFA-27, Ben completed multiple Western Pacific deployments aboard USS Kitty Hawk (CV 63). He also participated in several multilateral international exercises with South Korean, Thai, Republic of Singapore, Japanese and Australian Marine, Naval and Air Forces. While with the "Royal Maces," Ben served as the Public Affairs Officer, Schedules Officer, Aircraft Division Officer, Air to Air Weapons and Tactics Officer, Assistant Operations Officer and Landing Signals Officer and contributed to the "Royal Maces" receiving the 2005 and 2006 Battle "E" for sustained superior performance in an operational environment.
In January 2008, Ben received orders back to VFA-122. While serving as an Instructor Pilot with the "Flying Eagles," he served as the Assistant Intelligence Officer and Landing Signals Officer.
Blue Angels[]
Ben joined the Blue Angels in September 2008. He served as the Narrator and VIP pilot in 2009. He has accumulated more than 1,700 hours and 346 carrier arrested landings. His decorations include two Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medals and various personal and unit awards.