Blue Angels Pilot, Ernie Christensen (1969 - 1970)

Produced by Ryan Nothhaft
Email: [email protected]
Instagram: @blueangelphantoms

Videographer: Kate Gibson

Special thanks to the following organizations and people for access to video clips and photos used in this video:

Ardis Guyer (Photographer of Cedar Rapids, Iowa landing)
The Blue Angels Association
bluejacket.com
David Kent
The Gann Family
The National Archives
Richard Keane
Ron Rentfrow
San Diego Air and Space Museum Archives
Threshold: The Blue Angels Experience

Also make sure to check out the Blue Angels Association:
Twitter: @blueangelsassoc
Instagram: @blueangelsassociation
Facebook: Blue Angels Association

Ernie Christensen is a retired U.S. Navy Rear Admiral, who as part of his 35+ year military career, served as a pilot on the Blue Angels Flight Demonstration Team for the 1969 and 1970 air show seasons.

From a young age, Admiral Christensen developed an interest in aviation as a result of the exploits of both his grandfather, Rasmus Christensen, who was part of the first Atlantic crossing in 1919, and his father, Radm Ernest Christensen, who served as a Navy pilot during the Second World War.

Christensen graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy in 1964 and became the first 3rd generation naval aviator, earning his wings in 1966 and being assigned to VA-113 aboard the USS Enterprise (CV 65).

Prior to joining the Blue Angels, Christensen served two combat deployments as part of VA-113 flying the A4 Skyhawk. In June of 1968, during his second deployment, he suffered an engine failure that required him to eject into the Gulf of Tonkin. Rescued shortly after, Christensen would fly another mission just hours later.

After returning from his second deployment, Christensen was selected as the Left Wing pilot (#3) for the 1969 Blue Angels team, the same year that the team transitions from the F11 Tiger to the F4 Phantom. With just 10 hours of flight time in the F4 Phantom, Christensen and the rest of the team traveled to El Centro, California in January of 1969 and built the F4 demo over the course of two and a half months. Led by Boss Bill Wheat, the team then went on to fly air shows across North America, including at the dedication of the Houston International Airport, a tour of Alaska, Kelowna British Columbia, and NAS Moffett Field in Mountain View, California.

For the 1970 season, only Ernie Christensen and Steve Shoemaker would return to the team, with the other pilots rotating back into the fleet. Now flying as the slot pilot (#4), Christensen also took on the role as Safety Officer. Harley Hall took command of the team and served as Officer in Charge, leading the Blues on tours of Hawaii, Panama and Ecuador.

After his tour with the Blue Angels, Christensen returned to the fleet and served two additional combat tours in Vietnam as part of VF142. His long naval career is highlighted by several other milestones including as Commanding Officer of TOPGUN in the early 1980s, and commanding the USS Ranger (CV61) during Operation Desert Storm.

1969 Blue Angels Pilots & Officers

1. CDR Bill Wheat
2. Capt Vince Donile, USMC
3. LT Ernie Christensen
4. LT Rick Millson
5. LT John Allen
6. LT Steve Shoemaker
7. LT Rick Adams
8. LT Dick Schram
MO LCDR Bud Jourden
Doc LT Jim Linville
AO LT Mary Russell
SUPO CW02 Bill Thornhill

1970 Blue Angels Pilots & Officers

1. CDR Harley Hall
2. Capt Kevin O'Mara, USMC
3. LT Jim Maslowski
4. LT Ernie Christensen
5. LT Steve Shoemaker
6. LCDR Skip Umstead
7. LCDR JD Davis
8. LT Dick Schram
MO LCDR Mack Prose
Doc LCDR Jack Keen
AO LT Mary Russell
SUPO CW02 Bill Thornhill

2021 Blue Angels

1. CDR Brian Kesselring
2. LCDR James Haley
3. MAJ Frank Zastoupil, USMC
4. LCDR James Cox
5. CRD Ben Walborn
6. LCDR Cary Rickoff
7. LT Julius Bratton
8. LT Katlin Forster
XO CRD Todd Royles
MO LT Brian Abe
Assistant MO LT Henry Cedeno
Flight Surgeon Lt Monica Borza
SO LTJG Kristin Toland
PAO LT Chelsea Dietlin