Blue Angels Pilot, Bruce Davey (1977 - 1979)

Produced by Ryan Nothhaft
www.blueangelphantoms.com
Email: [e-mail]
Twitter: @blueangelf4
Instagram: @blueangelphantoms
Also make sure to check out the Blue Angels Association:
Twitter: @blueangelsassoc
Instagram: @blueangelsassociation
Facebook: Blue Angels Association
Bruce Davey is a former Navy Blue Angels pilot who joined the team as their narrator in 1977 at the age of 29. The following two years saw him transitioned into the diamond, first serving as #3 (left wingman) and then as #4 (slot pilot) for his final year in 1979.
Bruce Davey is from Moscow, Idaho and graduated from the Naval Academy in 1969. He was designated a naval aviator in March of 1971 and reported to his first squadron in October of 1973 as a member of VF-31.
Prior to joining the Blue Angels, Bruce had over 180 carrier landings and over 1900 hours of tactical jet time. He officially reported to the Blue Angels in October of 1976.
1977 Blue Angels Team:
1. CDR Casey Jones
2. Capt Dan Keating, USMC
3. LCDR Don Simmons
4. LT Al Cisneros
5. LCDR John Miller
6. LCDR Vance Parker
7. LCDR Bruce Davey
8. LT Ray Sandelli
MO LT Jack Johnson
Doc LCDR Tim Peterson
Doc LT Bernard Gipson
AO LCDR Leo Boor / LT Bill Clark
SUPO LT JG Al Pulley / LTJG Robert Faul
1978 Blue Angels Team:
1. CDR Bill Newman
2. Capt Dan Keating, USMC
3. LCDR Bruce Davey
4. LCDR Don Simmons
5. LCDR John Miller
6. LT Mike Curtin
7. LCDR Mike Nord
8. LT Ray Sandelli
MO LT Jack Johnson
Doc LT Bernard Gipson
AO LT Bill Clark
SUPO LT Dennis Shafer
1979 Blue Angels Team
1. CDR Bill Newman
2. Maj Fre Stankovich, USMC
3. LCDR Mike Nord
4. LCDR Bruce Davey
5. LCDR Jerry Tucker
6. LCDR Jim Ross
7. LT Jack Ekl
8. LT Kent Horne
MO LCDR Ben Woods
Doc LCDR Charles Thomason
AO LT Bill Clark
SUPO LT Dennis Shafer

[@jerrywhite3095]

Ryan, the best video yet; at least for me. I was both surprised and happy to see your interview with Bruce Davy! I was his Crew Chief when he was the narrator and flew #7. I was even more pleased that Bruce mentioned my name in the video. We spent a lot of time working together as a team and he was a person that I always had the upmost respect for. Bruce was both an officer and gentleman as well as a great aviator. He never told me about the A1 sauce story; that was funny! Thanks again for your videos, Ryan!

[@BlueAngelPhantoms]

Hi Jerry, I knew you'd like this one! Bruce spoke very highly of you both on and off camera. Cheers!

[@slay8467]

So awesome. As a little kid, going to see you guys with the Skyhawks for the NAS Miramar shows was better than Christmas.

[@jerrywhite3095]

Clay Hackett . I am glad that you enjoyed the airshows! The A4 Skyhawks were one of my favorite airshow aircraft; the formations flown were very tight. I always enjoyed the crowd at NAS Miramar.

[@layne4626]

Man that is awesome! The crew chief he talks about sees this video!! 💯💯🤘🤘

[@GDSFlyboy]

I’ll never be as cool as you Bruce. But you make me want to be.

[@vinyltapelover]

Such a wonderful story Thank you very much for sharing.

[@melindabendle6459]

God Bless United States MARINE'S..Military..🇺🇸🇺🇸🗽🇺🇸🇺🇸☔🌎🌍🌏🌊🌈

[@johnl3239]

Met Bruce and flew a couple of check rides with him at UA. Good man.

[@bigd-1-channel514]

Hand Salute--I saw you fly at Phoenix Deer Valley Airport--Best Blue Angels show I ever saw. Tight, Low and to me the A-4's were the best closest dislapy team out there.

[@f-4gww458]

Saw them fly there too. I lived about a mile and a half south of the airport. Sat on the roof of the house and the flew right over, nice and low.

[@bigd-1-channel514]

@@f-4gww458 Ya right over the tops of those hills east of KDVT and right on the deck as well

[@pawelgora2567]

Oh my, I've jyst found this video. I met Bruce and his wife back in 2010 in Warsaw, Poland. What a fantastic man he is. I told him that he should write a book about his amazing life and career as the navy aviator and civilian pilot. God bless Bruce!

[@michaelhollister7932]

Another great interview! It takes courage, especially nowadays, to state one's beliefs, beliefs I happen to share. Thank you, Bruce and thanks, as always Ryan!

[@squireblue]

Thank you Michael...you aren't the archangel are you?

[@mattedwards4533]

I watched this video because my good friend Henry Simmons had a son that was a Blue Angel. I was surprised when you mentioned his name,"Don Simmons". Don,s father was a pilot and flew a B 25 during WW2 in Asia. He and I were hunting and fishing pals. It was several years before I found Out that he had a son that was a Blue Angel. When Henry told me about his son I told him that if my son was a Blue Angel I would have been so proud that everyone would know it.I met Don for the first time under some of the worse circumstances that being the passing away of his father. Don was a corporate pilot for Google at the time and lived in California and I know he was on call and it may have restricted his ability to do much traveling. Don called me and asked if he could come over . I knew he was busy with his father affairs so I told him I would come to him. When I got to his fathers home he met me at the door. He told me his father had me in his will and left his rifles and fishing gear to me. Henry never told me I was in his will it is just the kind of fellow he was. When I saw Don something my mother told me as a child came to my mind, "the fruit doesn't fall far from the tree"! Henry and Don were first class people!

[@tarademars2938]

I saw the Blue Angels in Florida I was 10 to 12 years old I am now 57 in 2024 and I just remembered the name of the Blue Angels pilot I had a crush on after meeting him when I was a kid. He was beyond kind. So glad when I just looked him up there are videos to view.

[@barrysoetoro7835]

My first air show was at Lakehurst, NJ during this time. The blues and F14 demo were just incredible to my 9 year old eyes.

[@steveshoemaker6347]

Thanks my friend....Blessing your way...!

[@drubbo6715]

I got to fly with then Lt. Davey on Aug 20 1976 while we were both assigned to VF 31. F-4-J's. Still get the chills when I tell people about the flight. Best 2 hr's ever.

[@jerrywhite3095]

D Rubbo . After the Blues, I transferred to VF-103. VF-31 was our sister squadron at that time. Worked in Maintenance Control and had many friends at VF-31 which we exchanged parts to keep the Phantoms in the air.

[@dks13827]

I always aspired to be like these men, and Apollo guys also............... I think I did do that. Now, in 2021, our leaders never speak about greatness anymore.

[@JeremyAKnight]

Awesome Video! I agree with Jerry. Best video!

[@herringt3]

God bless Bruce Davey. Amen.

[@davearu38]

Jesus filled the deep hole in my life too! Praise God . I enjoyed these videos truly!

[@bwilie7173]

Another good interview Ryan. I don't know if Bruce will read the comments from the video, but I appreciate his testimony of becoming a Christian while on the team and what that has meant for him and his life. Thank you Bruce for your boldness in sharing your testimony.

[@squireblue]

Thank you for the kind comments...I have been honored and blessed!

[@bbking0064]

@@squireblue Have to agree with B Wilie. Thank-you for sharing your faith and what it meant to you in the interview. May God use it for His glory.

[@georgiaflyer8702]

What a fantastic interview. I love these so much, great job!

[@BlueAngelPhantoms]

Thank you! The people I've interviewed thus far have made it very easy. More to come!

[@BJM-Florida]

great videos, Ryan

[@BlueAngelPhantoms]

Thank you!!

[@stanleymckinney9613]

I really enjoy watching your videos! 🇺🇸

[@BlueAngelPhantoms]

Glad you're enjoying them! More to come!

[@randycruz7781]

I'm looking forward for an interview with the phantom driver STEVE SHOEMAKER

[@BlueAngelPhantoms]

Hi Randy, trust me, I'd love that too, however, I don't think it's going to happen. He was definitely one of my heroes growing up. Cheers!

[@thewildgoose1979]

@@BlueAngelPhantoms Why no Shoemaker?

[@BlueAngelPhantoms]

@@thewildgoose1979 He politely declined through a contact that I made the request through a couple years back.

[@josephw.graham2773]

I know Shoe...Gentle Giant

[@josephw.graham2773]

Shoe is in the Threshold Film....stalls at top of dirty loop....flew with Shoe a lot...great funny guy...

[@tebafanthroughnthrough6089]

Amen! Praise the Lord brother Davey!

[@r123154]

Amen Sister . You took the words from my mouth . I wish more pilots knew the Lord and would profess his Love for them. Not many people realize the dangers of flying " Fast Movers" jets in combat or off of carriers as a lot of Naval Aviators do . Thing is as dangerous as combat is it is as dangerous flying in the Blue Angels for 2 years .What makes it seem less so is that they train very very hard and often .This is why to me they are "THE BEST OF THE BEST ". Bruce will always have a very Special place in my heart . To Ryan i would like to say , Thank You for what you do.You don't know what it means to me to learn how the Blue Angels have done things through the years and to hear them talk about their individual experiences is out of this world exciting . I'm a very long time Blue Angels fan who always craved info about the team but never could find any prior to the internet.Now thankfully we have you . People say they are the number 1 fan of the team but i can say with confidence that you are pretty close to the number ( behind me of course, - that's my lol for the day, right ? ) Anyway i can safely say we Love the Blue Angels, all of us . They prove what we as Americans are all about. One more time , Thank You Ryan .

[@r123154]

BAfanthroughnthrough - I wasn't trying to Highjack your post . When i read it i could not help respond there.Not many want to tell the world that they Love Jesus as we do .

[@Jhorak101]

NAS Kingsville Texas is my home town. I watched the Cougar fly then the T-2 and the T-A-4 many days growing up there. Thank you for your service. I be at NAS Kingsville this years in April for the wings over south Texas airshow.

[@beckyumphrey2626]

I was stationed there in VT 21. 81-85. Loved Kingsville.

[@Dstew57A]

What a humble And inspirational human being. Thank you for your service and sharing your story with us LCDR Davey.

[@58landman]

I grew up in Jackson, MS and was casual friends with Mark Lauritzen who lived in my neighborhood. Mark became a Blue Angel pilot. We went separate ways pretty quickly but I joined the Navy and was assigned to VF-41, Black Aces that flew the F4J. We were assigned to the 6th Fleet and spent our time in the Med. I was an admin blackshoe and not an Airedale. Nonetheless I knew most of the officers pretty well and spent a good deal of my time assisting in the Ready Room. Had a blast with those guys.

[@fitnesssolutions7100]

Excellent video & wonderful testimony. Keep 'em coming!

[@stevewithers3532]

It was so good to hear his testimony of belief in Christ. It was the best part for me because I share this faith with him, and anyone else who professes this belief, as a brother or sister.

[@karlabriggs3350]

"Tell me, what is it you plan to do with your one wild and precious life?" Mary Oliver Wonderful interview.

[@venomsnakeYGBSM]

Great interview man just found your channel man could you try an interview with one of top gun graduates or instructors thatll be awesome man thanks.

[@BlueAngelPhantoms]

Venom Snake glad you enjoy the channel. Check out my interview with Steve Foley. He was an instructor at Top Gun.

[@JSFGuy]

Nice partying shot of redemption and salvation with his faith.

[@murrayhelmer8941]

Saw them for the 1 st time in Abbotsford in 78

[@harleybat1]

have you ever thought about writing a book?

[@BigWheelHawaii]

This Is Really a Great Series of Video Clips On The "Blues",,, What a Great Job, Ryan Has Done,,, Steven Spielberg Could Do No Better, He Would Be Proud"... For Me,,, By Far The Best Airplane Ever,,, The A-4,,, I've Seen The Blues In Most Airplane, Except The F-8's... What a Great Work of Art, Ryan,,, "Mahalo",,,,

[@tebafanthroughnthrough6089]

Love this! Thanks! The A1 steak sauce part is horrifyingly interesting! Yikes! Lol! 😱

[@squireblue]

Your should have been there...it was horrifying

[@beckyumphrey2626]

@@squireblue God Bless you Sir and thank you for your service. My husband was stationed in Kingsville for 4 years. 81-85. We loved it there. VT21.

[@Spawn-td8bf]

I am glad to hear I am not the only one that had a " condiment catastrophe " , though in my case, I was the only victim. Can never figure out why waitresses/waiters feel we can't open our own ketchup. Great interview. Having been a Floridian all my life, it was always a great joy to go to their homecoming show in Pensacola. Nothing like being on the beach and watching them " play " up to the day of the show and then watch it all come together. You knew fall arrived when the Blue Angels did. Thank you for posting and God Bless, Paul from Florida.

[@michaelhollister7932]

Ryan, Any contact or future interview possibility with Greg Wooldridge? Perhaps my favorite 'Boss' of the Blues, besides your grandfather, of course. :)

[@bionicsjw]

I saw the team with him several times including a invite only performance when I was in the NAOCS Pipeline. On one show a solo was so low to the ground on a pass he had weed marks on the plane afterwards. The narrator actually jumped out of his position thinking the guy was going to crash.

[@alant2230]

I watched you at Brunswick NAS. Been a Blues fan ever since. LORD bless.

[@daveculver9374]

One of thee best interviews, fascinating, thanks Ryan. Keep 'em coming.

[@ВЛАДИМИР-с8б1щ]

THANK YOU VERY MUCH

[@keltus_warrior6491]

He sounds like Tom Brokaw!!

[@BlueAngelPhantoms]

He definitely has an awesome voice. Probably why they had him narrate his first year ;)

[@keltus_warrior6491]

@@BlueAngelPhantoms Good choice!! 👍

[@vincentvdh4133]

Amazing!!

[@jamiedoughty6703]

This is so awesome! I love the personal stories and the footage!

[@dalezjc]

Was in the Navy from 72-76 (AE at China Lake), so I'm partial to the A-4s! Have a question though: once selected to the fly the Blue Angels, did a pilot ever wash out?

[@squireblue]

After selection, no wingman has ever failed during Winter Training, although we all made plenty of mistakes

[@reckemroysrc3764]

AMEN SQUIRE 👍🏼👍🏼😎✌🏼✌🏼

[@teesmyth4777]

Wow, you are a very cool blue angel, thanks for sharing your impressive story. You are a humble and talented human being, God Bless you, forever. Oh, and your voice is absolutely awesome😇❤️🧡💛💚🖤💜💙😇

[@squireblue]

Thanks, Tee, you are kind...and generous with your praise...I bet a lot of folks like being around you!

[@daleebeling4989]

Hunter

[@josephnewman9242]

Another great interview!!! I was able to watch the Blue Angels with Squire and a few other members from the ‘78-‘79 team a few years ago at Seafair in WA. They are a solid group of human beings!!!

[@squireblue]

Thanks, Joe...and humble of you not to mention that your Dad was our leader!

[@steveaytch7738]

Semper Fi Squier. Great video Ryan, keep em coming... How about Tim Dinneen?

[@BlueAngelPhantoms]

Thanks, Steve. I'll interview anyone that can be in the same place at the same time. I hopefully have an interview schedule for this weekend. Stay tuned! In the meantime, you may be interested in the new podcast I started - Blue Angel Phantoms Podcast. I am starting to post longer form, less edited interviews there as well. Cheers!

[@f-4gww458]

Another good one Ryan, thanks again.

[@BlueAngelPhantoms]

Thanks Jeff, these guys make it pretty easy. More to come!

[@f-4gww458]

@@BlueAngelPhantoms Maybe start another channel...Thunderbird Phantoms. You do such a fine job with Blue Angel Phantoms.

[@luciusvorenus9445]

Cool, interview.

[@slipman]

Cool Ryan!

[@marcphillips4593]

Plowbacks Rule !!! Great job on this video Bruce. You were my detailer back in the day.

[@squireblue]

Hope that I did a good job...you are right about plowbacks!

[@marcphillips4593]

Bruce Davey yes you did. Got me out of an Aide job and into VX5 ! Forever grateful

[@squireblue]

@@marcphillips4593 Now I remember!!