Blue Angels Pilot: John Chehansky (1973 - 1975)

John Chehansky is a former narrator and pilot for the U.S. Navy Blue Angels Flight Demonstration Squadron where he served on the Team from 1973 through the 1975 airshow season.
Raised in Royal Oak, Michigan, John Chehansky was exposed to aviation at a young age through a friend of his parents, Mike Krichko, an F8F Bearcat pilot and veteran of World War II. Krichko captured Chehansky’s imagination by sending naval aviation magazines in the mail that planted the seeds of early inspiration to pursue a military career.
After graduating high school where he maintained an “A” average, Chehansky applied to the U.S. Naval Academy in Annapolis, Maryland. Despite encountering initial issues receiving a congressional appointment, he was accepted to the prestigious military academy where he set his sights on becoming a naval aviator.
With a Bachelor of Science degree in Aeronautical Engineering, Chehansky graduated from the Naval Academy in 1967 and reported to NAS Pensacola to begin his formal indoctrination into flight training. Receiving his wing in April of 1969, he was assigned to NAS Miramar as part of Fighter Squadron 121, the Pacemakers, for training in the F4 Phantom.
After a year of gaining proficiency in the F4, Chehansky transferred to VF-154, a squadron rich with former Blue Angel pilots including Ken Wallace, Harley Hall and Don Bentley. Aboard the USS Ranger, Chehansky deployed to South East Asia where he flew over 100 missions and made 180 carrier-arrested landings, for which he received four Air Medals, a Meritorious Unit Commendation, and the Vietnamese Service and Campaign Medals.
Upon returning from combat deployment, Chehansky attended the Navy Fighter Weapons School, TOPGUN, at NAS Miramar. Dan Pedersen, Jim Ruliffson and Jerry Sawatzky among the other founders of the elite institution served as Chehanksy’s instructors and all of whom he attributes to being his hero. TOPGUN curriculum put aircrews through graduate level courses in all aspects of fighter weapons systems including tactics, techniques, procedures and doctrine.
Reporting back to VF-154 as fighter weapons and tactics instructor, Chehansky was inspired to submit an application to join the U.S. Navy Blue Angels Flight Demonstration Team after receiving encouragement from Ernie Christensen and Harley Hall who had previously served with the Team. Despite initial apprehension that he may not be selected due to the Team’s record of only selecting one Naval Academy graduate in their 26 year history, Chehansky officially joined the Blue Angels for the 1973 season. His appointment marked the first time in Team history that the narrator would transition into a demonstration pilot in the following year.
Due to fuel shortages and an incident at Lakehurst, New Jersey that claimed the lives of the Team’s Flight Leader, Skip Umstead and Slot Pilot, Mike Murphy, the 1973 season was truncated. Facing possible disbandment, the Blue Angels transitioned into an official naval squadron for the 1974 season, with Cdr Tony Less taking the helm as the Team’s first official Commanding Officer. 1974 also saw the Blue Angels replace their F4 Phantoms with the Douglas A-4F Skyhawk II as Chehansky moved into the Left Wing #3 position.
The first season flying the A4 Skyhawk was a complete success with the Blue Angels flying shows at 36 locations including Offutt AFB, NAS Selfridge and NAS Key West. Chehansky would fly his final year with the Blue Angels as the Team’s Slot Pilot #4 for the 1975 season.
Special thanks to John Chehansky, Laura Bogan, Jim Preston, Mat Garretson, Ron Rentfrow, Sergio Galindo and the Blue Angels Association for supporting this project.
Produced & edited by Ryan Nothhaft | Filmed by 410 Films LLC | Thumbnail photo by U.S. Navy Blue Angels taken by Jim Preston
Visual Resources by: Gary Fong, Jason Jaworski, Mat Garretson, Ron Rentfrow, TOPGUN Association, Threshold, Wingtip to Canopy
1973 Blue Angels:
1. LCDR Skip Umstead
2. LCDR Marlin Wiita
3. Capt John Fogg, USMC
4. Capt Mike Murphy, USMC
5. LT Steve Lambert
6. LT Jerry Tucker
7. LT John Chehansky
8. LT Chuck Newcomb
CDR Ken Wallace, Program Manager
Maj Don Stiegman, USMC
Capt Al Coley, USMC
1stLt Joe Rodgers, USMC
MO LCDR Fred Wiggins
SUPO CW04 Clinton Swart
1974 Blue Angels:
1. CDR Tony Less
2. LCDR Marlin Wiita
3. LT John Chehansky
4. Capt John Fogg, USMC
5. LT Jerry Tucker
6. LT Vance Parker
7. LT John Patton
8. LT Chuck Newcomb
Maj Don Stiegman, USMC
Capt Al Coley, USMC
1stLt Joe Rodgers, USMC
Capt Ron Fleming, USMC
MO LCDR Fred Wiggins / LT Mike Deeter
Doc LCDR Bob Randolph
AO LCDR Leo Boor
SUPO CW04 Clinton Swartz
1975 Blue Angels:
1. CDR Tony Less
2. Capt Bill Holverstott, USMC
3. LT John Patton
4. LT John Chehansky
5. LT Vance Parker
6. LT Denny Sapp
7. LT Al Cisneros
8. Jim Bauer
Capt Ron Fleming, USMC
Capt Steve Petit, USMC
MO LT Mike Deeter
Doc LCDR Bob Randolph
DOC LCDR Tim Peterson
AO LCDR Leo Boor
SUPO CW02 Chinton Swartz

[@BlueAngelPhantoms]

Shout out to Jim Preston who took the amazing picture that you see in the thumbnail of this video. Mr. Preston served on the Public Affairs team for the Blue Angels during their transition to the A4 Skyhawk back in 1974 and still takes exceptional photos of the Blues to this day when he attends shows!

[@inthetallgrass7822]

Can’t wait wait to see the blues in Annapolis, love the story

[@muzzadeuce7862]

Smoke---this is an outstanding video and super exhilarating to fly in your back seat in the Reserves as a RIO. ACM hops versus Rattler off Baja were pure fun and to think that we were paid...unimaginable!!!

[@victormanuelpolanco922]

Another great episode , Ryan. John is an amazing storyteller, a grateful former servicemember and living memory of the amazing Blue Angels legacy. Ordinary people put into a high standard environment only have one way....EXCELLENCE!!!!.

[@thereissomecoolstuff]

Another outstanding story. Thanks Ryan

[@kawai99100]

Amanda Lee ROCKS!!!!!!! I served on the USS Lexington and USS Forrestal and the females had to work hard and put up with a lot of male egos. I'm a female and I'm excited for her.

[@ddsmit]

Amanda is the real deal! We live about 10 miles from the Blues home base in Pensacola and we get to see their practice shows almost every week. Amazing.

[@kawai99100]

@@ddsmit me too!

[@kawai99100]

About 5 miles.

[@daviddallas4607]

Thank you Sir for your service and a great story of your time with the Blues. I love the A4. I was a young ADJ (jet engine mechanic) in Kingsville NAS from 1970-1972 when we transitioned from the F9 Cougar to the A4. I use to fly as with my DIVO in the A4 as much as my Chief could spare me. I will never forget those days. Thanks again

[@mattischlese5385]

Once again, beautiful video! Love watching them while having breakfast, thank you for this great and free cinematography for us avgeeks.

[@BlueAngelPhantoms]

Thank you for the kind words! The people that serve on the Blue Angels are exceptional and a great way to spend your breakfast if you ask me. Cheers!

[@teeh917]

I love these stories.

[@robbyowen9107]

Thank you for your service and thank you for sharing your story!!

[@daveheath3728]

Another home run Ryan ! , Great story , and well presented . Thanks for providing these inside stories of the outstanding people who are the Blue Angels , you never disappoint . 😎👍

[@forumjj]

He Has An Amazing Story, Beautiful videos.

[@BlueAngelPhantoms]

Glad you're enjoying the videos!

[@boblivingston4841]

The A-4 was the best jet the Blues have ever flown.I have seen the A4 teams you have flown on and you where one of the best.

[@daveculver4350]

One of your best, ty..

[@CelticLobsta]

Cool stuff..I still have my picture when I was 8yo w skip umsted at quonsett point ri in 1973...we met him and Mike Murphy before the show...my dad knew a guy...I was just amazed that day...they were really nice guys..didn't rush w us...Mike murphy was real nice to us....my mom was a murphy and mentioned that...I was so devastated when I found out they both died in a crash right after that....God bless both of you.

[@brice5542]

By your leave sir, mad respect for your service, thank you. How many kids saw you guys and said, I'm going fly for the USN, and went on to do just that. To all my brothers and sisters who served Thank you. Pop's , proud Navy Corpsman. 1982 -1986

[@stephenpetit952]

Nice job, Smoke. But you didn't tell them about the Henway.

[@PaulCareyaviation]

Such a lovely humble man with great skills & demeanor

[@simonjester0074]

Great presentation 😊 inspiring

[@kawai99100]

I live in Pensacola and watch them practice over my house.

[@capt.k4608]

In the time honored traditions of the Sea Services, your video is what could only be described as a true “no-shitter.” Nice work, Smoke!

[@stevewright1526]

Great interview Smoke. Miss our F-16 and Peace Marble days.

[@Music-pq8cm]

“Ordinary people” … fighter pilots are not ordinary people, especially those who are able to fly with the Blue Angels or Thunderbirds or Top Gun. It would be incredibly humble for one of these pilots to consider themselves as ordinary.

[@michaelhaun5637]

I was at Nas pensacola in 73and76 what happened to that dentist that screamed into my ear and busted my eardrum in 1976 right befor I got out? He was fixing my teeth and ruined them when I got home I had to have them all pulled.