The elite U.S. Navy Blue Angels are facing unanswered questions after two Marine officers were abruptly removed from the demonstration team just before its final performance of the season.
Marine Maj. Scott Laux, a three-year veteran of the squadron and its current opposing solo pilot, was pulled from the November 6-7 homecoming show at Naval Air Station Pensacola for ‘failing to uphold standards,’ according to a statement from the Chief of Naval Air Training. The vague explanation provided no details about which standards were allegedly violated.
Teammate Also Scrubbed
Days after reports surfaced about Laux, aviation news outlet The Aviationist discovered that Marine Capt. Danielle Cribb—the team’s public affairs officer and Laux’s listed mentee—had also been scrubbed from the roster. Archived web pages show her profile disappeared from the Blue Angels’ website between August and October.
The removals left the famed aerial stunt team short-handed during their Florida finale, forcing changes to their signature maneuvers. With Laux’s opposing solo position vacant, the team had to adjust routines designed for two solo jets—including canceling the dramatic ‘Mirror Image Dirty Pass’ where the jets fly inverted in tandem.
No Explanations or Replacements
The Navy has not specified whether the removals are permanent or whether the pilots faced disciplinary action. Blue Angels rules don’t allow for backup pilots during the performance season, leaving no option but to fly shorthanded.
While details remain scarce, Cribb’s family told the New York Post her removal was unrelated to Laux’s situation. Both officers had storied careers before joining the elite demonstration squadron—Laux as a veteran F/A-18 Hornet pilot and Cribb as the team’s public face.
The Navy’s public affairs office declined to comment further when pressed about the specific allegations or whether an investigation is underway.
Source: www.dailywire.com — https://www.dailywire.com/news/mystery-surrounds-two-marines-scrubbed-from-elite-blue-angels-team