Navy Indentifies Fallen Blue Angels Pilot

The Navy is still investigating the cause of the crash.

Lt. Cmdr. Kevin Davis Photo: Blue Angels

(BEAUFORT, S.C.) - The Navy on Sunday identified the U.S. Navy Blue Angels aviator who died in Saturday's crash as Lt. Cmdr. Kevin Davis.

Davis is a native of Pittsfield, Massachusetts, and graduated from Reading Memorial High School in 1992 where he played football and was active with the Civil Air Patrol.

He attended Embry Riddle Aeronautical University, earning a Bachelor of Science degree in Aeronautical Science with honors in 1996.

Kevin reported to Naval Air Station (NAS) Pensacola, Florida, for Officer Candidate School and aviation indoctrination in September 1996.

He completed primary flight training at NAS Corpus Christi, Texas, and transferred to NAS Meridian, Mississippi, for intermediate and advanced flight training. While there, he flew the T-2C Buckeye and TA-4J Skyhawk, and received his wings of gold in June 1999.

Kevin reported to Fighter Squadron 101 (VF-101) at NAS Oceana, Virginia, for training in the F-14 Tomcat and was the “Top Stick” in his class.

In July 2000 he reported to the VF-11 “Red Rippers” where he completed deployments aboard the aircraft carriers USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN 69) and USS John F. Kennedy (CV 67).

While with the “Red Rippers,” Kevin served as the airframes/corrosion branch officer, air-to-ground training officer and head landing signals officer. His deployments included extended operations in the North Arabian Sea and Arabian Gulf in support of Operation Enduring Freedom.

In July 2003, Kevin transitioned to the F/A-18 Hornet through Strike Fighter Squadron 125 (VFA-125) at NAS Lemoore, California, and then reported to the Fighter Composite Squadron (VFC-12) “Omars,” stationed at NAS Oceana, Virginia.

While at VFC-12, Kevin served as a Navy adversary pilot providing valuable air-to-air training for fleet squadrons.

In December of 2004, Kevin graduated from the United States Navy Fighter Weapons School (TOPGUN) as an adversary pilot.

During his tour at VFC-12, Kevin worked as the schedules officer, legal officer, FRS/SFARP officer and assistant operations officer.

Kevin joined the Blue Angels in September 2005. He has accumulated more than 2,500 flight hours and 200 carrier arrested landings. His decorations include the Air Medal, two Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medals, and various personal and unit awards.

Military officials said Davis' family was among those watching as his F/A-18 Hornet plummeted to the ground in a Beaufort, South Carolina neighborhood.

The crash at 4:00 PM ET Saturday, during a precision-flying team demonstration, injured eight people on the ground and damaged eight structures. None of the injuries is life threatening.

The air show continued Sunday without the Blue Angels, but with a tribute to the pilot who was killed.

CNN is reporting that the jet clipped the top of a pine tree during a sharp turn at the end of the team's aerial exhibition. The crash sent a plume of smoke into the sky, which the five other jets in the formation then circled.