Kevin J Davis

Lieutenant Commander Kevin Jens "Kojack" Davis was a member of the United States Navy Blue Angels and was the show's narrator before being promoted to the Opposing Solo pilot in 2007.

Early Life

Kevin was born in 1975 in Pittsfield, Massachusetts. In 1992, he graduated from Reading Memorial High School 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.

Career

Kevin reported to Naval Air Station Pensacola for Officer Candidate School and aviation indoctrination in September 1996. He completed primary flight training at Naval Air Station Corpus Christi and transferred to Naval Air Station Meridian, for intermediate and advanced flight training. While there, he flew the North American T-2 Buckeye and TA-4J Skyhawk, and received his wings of gold in June 1999. Kevin reported to Fighter Squadron 101 (VF-101) at Naval Air Station Oceana for training in the Grumman 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 McDonnell Douglas F/A-18 Hornet) through Strike Fighter Squadron 125 (VFA-125) at Naval Air Station 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 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.

In The Blue Angels

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.

Death

Kevin's F/A-18A Hornet assigned to the Navy Flight Demonstration Squadron crashed on 21 April 2007 during an air show at Marine Corps Air Station Beaufort, SC. At approximately 4 p.m. EST 21 April 2007, Davis was joining the Delta formation for the final maneuver of the aerial demonstration when the mishap occurred. The crash occurred approximately three miles outside the air station on Shanklin Road.

References

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