Blue Angels Leader, Gil Rud (1986 - 1988)
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- Опубліковано 10 січ 2020
- Produced by Ryan Nothhaft
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Stock Footage from:
Skyhawk to Hornet: produced by March 2 Entertainment
Keith Breazeal: Check out his UA-cam channel: / @thevidpro
Gil Rud served as the last A-4 Skyhawk Flight Leader of the Blue Angels in 1986 and then led the team's transition to the F/A-18 Hornet, where he served an additional two years as Boss.
Boss Rud first joined the Navy in 1967 and received his Wings of Gold one year later, where he was initially assigned A4 Skyhawks and deployed to the Mediterranean. Upon returning from his initial cruise, Boss Rud transitioned to the Corsair A7 II and deployed to Vietnam aboard the USS Oriskany in May of 1971.
Following his first combat deployment, Boss Rud Served as the Junior CAG LSO for the first cruise of the F-14A Tomcat and the first West Coast Cruise of the S-3A Viking. He would qualify to fly the F-14 prior to leaving for the cruise in order to do the job more effectively.
In April of 1975, Boss Rud participated in Operation Frequent Wind, flying top cover for H-46 and CH-53 rescue helicopters during the evacuation of the embassy in Saigon.
Boss Rud eventually became the XO/CO of VA-192, the World Famous Golden Dragons, where he finished as the Top Tailhooker in the Air Wing for the entire Westpac Cruise aboard the USS Ranger.
While serving as Head of Junior Officer Detailing in Arlington, Virginia, Rud applied for the position of Flight Leader and Commanding Officer of the Navy Flight Demonstration Squadron, the Blue Angels. Three months later he would be awarded the position.
See a detailed listing of Boss Rud's Navy assignments below.
Assignment Chronology
8/69-7/70: VA-216 Airframes Branch and Communications Officer, NAS Alameda, USS Forrestal (A4E).
8/70-4/71: VA-125, RAG Student, NAS Lemoore (A7A/ A7B).
5/71-12/71: VA-215, Line Division Officer, LSO, NAS Lemoore, USS Oriskany (A7B).
1/72-10/74: VA122, RAG Instructor, LSO, Tactics Phase Head, NAS Lemoore (A7C/E, T-28B/C).
11/74-11/76: CVW 14 LSO and VA-97 Assistant Ops Officer, NAS Lemoore, NAS Miramar (A7E, F14A, T28C).
11/76-7/79: Navy Recruiting District San Antonio, Head of Officer Programs (T34B).
Armed Forces Staff College, Student, Norfolk VA.
8/79-1/80: VA-122, Student, NAS Lemoore (A7E).
8/80-6/82: VA-147, Department Head Tour, NAS Lemoore, USS Constellation (A7E).
6/82-8/84: VA-192, XO/CO, NAS Lemoore, USS Ranger (A7E).
8/84-10/85: Navy Military Personnel Command, N-432 Head of Junior Officer Detailing, Arlington, VA (TA-4J, A4M (at Patuxent River)).
11/85-11/88: Navy Flight Demonstration Squadron, CO/ Flight Leader, NAS Pensacola (A-4F, F/A- 18A).
6/89-2/91: USS Wabash (AOR-5), CO, Naval Station Long Beach.
3/91-2/93: Task Force Five (Counterdrug Task Force), Deputy Commander/Chief of Staff, Coast Guard Island Alameda, CA.
5/93-12/94: USS Constellation, CO, NAS North Island, CA (F/A-18B/C).
1/95-7/95: COMNAVAIRPAC, staff officer for CVN move to Naval Station Everett.
1986 Blue Angels Team:
1. CAPT Gil Rud
2. Capt Mark Bircher, USMC
3. LCDR Donnie Cochran
4. LCDR Pat Walsh
5. LCDR Curt Watson
6. LCDR David Anderson
7. LCDR Wayne Molnar
8. Maj Bill Campbell, USMC
MO LT Jim Anderson
Doc LT Wes Robinson
AO LT Hans Felt
PAO LT Dough Hocking
SUPO LT Sam Walker
1987 Blue Angels Team:
1. CAPT Gil Rud
2. Capt Mark Bircher, USMC
3. LCDR Donnie Cochran
4. LCDR Pat Walsh
5. LCDR David Anderson
6. LCDR Wayne Molnar
7. LCDR Cliff Skelton
8. LCDR Mike Campbell
MO LT Jim Anderson
Doc LT Wes Robinson
AO LT Jim Hawthorne
PAO LCDR Doug Hocking
SUPO LT Sam Walker
1988 Blue Angels Team:
1. CAPT Gil Rud
2. Capt Kevin Lauver, USMC
3. LCDR Mark Ziegler
4. LCDR Donnie Cochran
5. LCDR Wayne Molnar
6. LCDR Cliff Skelton
7. LCDR Dough McClain
8. LCDR Mike Campbell
MO LT Fred Cleveland
Doc LT Wes Robinson
AO LT Jim Hawthorne
PAO LCDR Rusty Holmes
SUPO LT Sam Walker - Авто та транспорт
My grandpa was a math teacher back when he lived in North Dakota a long time ago and Gil Rud was one of his students and he told me about how it’s amazing one of his students became a Blue Angel pilot.
My grandpa passed away last year....I thank him for what he has done for me and for helping Gil.....
Thank you Grandpa...I miss you. 🥺💙
That is a great story
I don't know if you'll ever see this Captain, but I served under you from 1982-84 as a member of the Golden Dragons. You were a fine officer and an excellent CO. SSHWFGD
I first met Gil while he was assigned to the San Antonio recruiting district. I was looking into the AVROC program while I was at the University of Texas at Austin, and dropped by the NAVY ROTC offices on campus. Gil met with me and told me about the AVROC program. His stories of flying the A7 and carrier operations were inspiring, and to give me a taste of what flying was like he invited me to take a flight in the T6 Texan. We met that weekend at Georgetown airport, north of Austin, and after getting geared up and briefing we manned up and went for a 30min flight. We did barrel rolls, loops and wing overs and a few other exciting things, and the best part was, after having me follow along holding the control stick while he did these maneuvers, he let me give it a try. I was hooked. A few years later I found myself at NAS Pensacola, checking in to my AOCS class. I had the pleasure of meeting Gil again at a Blue Angels change of command I was invited to attend in the mid-90's.
I was stationed at NAS Whiting Field (30 miles east of NAS Pensacola) back when he was the Angels' CO, and my parents had come down from Indiana to visit me on leave and I took them over to NASP to look around. We stopped at Forrest Sherman Field to check out where the Blue Angels were based. While I was able to enter because I was active duty Navy, my parents were leery so we hung out at the fence to watch some of the goings on the tarmac.Just then, an officer walked up from behind and asked what was up. We turned around and it was CDR Rud, Blue Angel One himself. I explained about my parents' visit and how we were just checking out the flight line and he said "Why not just bring them in? You're active duty and they can be your guests."We followed him in and he just said "Have at it!" and we did. They got to chat with some of the ground personnel attending the #4 Skyhawk and tour Fat Albert, not to mention through he hangar and offices!Mom and Dad are gone now but they never forgot the kindness of this man....thanks, CDR Rud!!
Phil Conner great story and thanks for sharing!
This is a Man of Valor . Go Navy
👏👏👏👍👌✈
Thanks for the share. Awesome!
I flew on the Snowbirds 86/87. I met Gil in Pensacola 1987 during a 'practice' as we were not cleared to do a show. along side the Blues. He was a true gentleman. Hearing Mark Bircher's name brought back memories as we flew the same position. Also Hollywood and 'Leroy's in for the sneak pass', brought back a memory or two.
I also recall our double take and the comments from the Blues. Man you guys roll that? Yup we do. Thanks for the fine memories Gents.
I know he won’t see this, but...
Mr. Rud, thank you so much for serving in the Navy. When I was a boy, seeing you on “Skyhawk to Hornet” inspired me to want to become a fighter pilot. You have done great things!
Why wouldn't he see it? I bet he sees your comment.
Wow, spectacular interview. I was glued the entire time!
Now, that's an ACTUAL boss.
I love how the "Blue Angles" and the "Thunderbirds" would punk each other. What a great sign of friendship. Like the Army vs. Navy at West Point on a cold winter's day but with the Air Force instead. I love the Navy. My dad was a young kid at the end of WWII putting together new engines at Pensacola and remained in the reserves for 20 years thereafter. I remember him taking me to Floyd Bennett Field on the lower east side of Manhattan when I was a young boy. It brings back memories. The strange thing is I've seen the Thunderbirds at least 4 or 5 times but I've never had a chance to see the Blue Angels. Maybe someday.
Ryan another great interview and production. Gil is a great story teller and served the Navy and his country well. Thank you sir. The story about practicing the walkout with his kids tells you about this boss and his determination to do his best. Excellent. Congratulations.
I watched Gil at my 1st airshow, Fargo, ND 1986
Great interview. I met him back in 87. Nice guy
i used to have the Blues poster hanging on my wall in the late 80's, and they all had signed it, including Gil. amazing.
I still have my poster that was signed by all of them including Gil.
Cool video. I served On the Wabash while he was Captain.
So did I.
CAPT, was your AO for a couple of months before TAG took over on CONNIE. Enjoyed that short period immensely. All the best.
What a great interview! A perfect man to lead the 'Blues".
These interviews are incredible. That footage of the Hornets landing in formation is rarer than rare! Please keep it up, there are a lot of us who just eat this up and can’t get enough! Thank you!!!
My fist airshow was watching the Blues during Boss Rud's final year, in 1988. It was at Grand Forks AFB, about 40 miles from Cdr Rud's hometown, making it his "home" show.
Interesting note: Boss Rud oversaw the transition from A-4s to the F/A-18, and is from Portland, ND. Boss Kesserling will oversee the transition from legacy hornets to super hornets, and is from Fargo, ND. The 2 moat recent aircraft transitions, both with Bosses from ND. And the only two Blue angel Bosses from ND, that I am aware of.
The second he said Mark Bircher, USMC, it was like a bolt of lightning went off in my brain. I have his autograph on a Blue Angel Program from when I was a kid. Pretty awesome I got to personally see Boss Rud and his Team fly a Demo. How freakin' cool is that!
Great interview, thanks for sharing.
Awesome to see these guys that you've seen in the past! Thanks!!
What a great interview. Thank you.
Fantastic interview, thanks for posting!
Great video...I didn't want it to end!
Great interview, thanks for publishing.
A few years back I kept my RV-8 at St. Mary's Airport, Md. Right next to Patuxent Naval Air Station. This gentleman kept his SR-22 in the hanger across from me. He was one of the finest and most unpretentious people I have ever met. I knew him for a year before I learned of his history. He used to share some of his stories which kept me enthralled from beginning to end. He is a true patriot and the ultimate credit to the uniform he wore. I am honored to know him. I hope someday our paths will cross again.
So cool! I can't get enough of this channel! I love listening to the stories!
Great job Ryan; Boss Rud...it is an honor to be on the roster with you sir!!
Great video! Thank you for your service and the excitement that you brought to thousands.
Great interview!!!! Thank you for your service!!!!
Definitely going to homecoming this year for the transition! Awesome videos brother!
Another fascinating story. Many thanks for this, Ryan.
This was just awesome. What a great interview
Love hearing stories like that!!! Just awesome!!
Great story thank you very much for posting!
This is a wonderful interview.
Brilliant interview and video - a very impressive man
This man is a genuine national hero. Humility is everything, and he could teach future generations.
Love these videos Ryan great job. Blue Angels were my first exposure to military aircraft. They will always be my favorite.
This was a great interview, I truly got a sense of the man. Thanks!
One of your best so far !!!
Thanks, Dad!
Thank you for your service Mr Rud , great interview i was glued to the screen & loved all the stories...
A real service to those you interview and a joy for us who get to see the results! Thanks Ryan and keep going! Another great interview with REAL heroes.
This was absolutely fabulous..
What a wonderful, insightful interview!!
Thank you and your fellow service members service!
Excellent video thanks and Salute
When I was a little kid living on base (NAS Lemoore), he was one of my neighbors. He still remembered me 15 years later when I said hi to him after a Blues show.. “good to see you again, tell your dad I said hi.”
What a great story. Thanks for sharing. This mans life experiences are truly incredible.
Well done on a great interview. An interesting man.
Fantastic video Captain Rud. You are one of my heroes. Thank you for your service especially your tours with the Blue Angels. Who knows how many young airmen have served and are serving because of the inspiration you and your team has provided?
Gil-what an amazing guy! Thank you for the memories of the blue angels! :)
BZ on a great video, the Blues are an amazing group of people! I was working on Tomcats during Commander Rud's time in the Blues, great time to be in Naval aviation!
Great interview. I actually flew on one of your early BA training flights at El Centro. Hoss and I were in the TA-4J. A flight I will not forget.
Great interview!! Loved the story about the belly dancer!
Capt. Rud was the CO when I was stationed on Constellation. I was just a kid and hadn’t even made third class when I first met him. I was trying to move some type of gear cart on the flight deck and it wasn’t budging. I had my head down and was really trying to push that thing when someone in running shoes and shorts came up and jumped in to help out. Yep, Captain Rud.
When we got the cart moved a bird flew over and he asked me if I knew what that sound was. I didn’t want to appear too dumb so I took a quick peek, saw an F-18 and said it sounds like a Hornet. Nope, he said, that’s the sound of freedom. Then he jogged the flight deck.
Really cool guy.
That was definitely his saying (re: "the sound of freedom"). I also served aboard Constellation from September 1993 to November 1994. Captain Rud was my first CO in the fleet. As an FC3 without having an NEC, my division sent me TAD to ship's Security Department. On more than one occasion, I stood as bailiff during Captain's Mast. Captain was always fair, but firm. I appreciated him a lot.
Wow, that was a quick 17 minutes! Enjoyed it all. A-4's Forever!
Great video!
The precision and discipline to be this perfect is too incredible for those who don’t fly to appreciate.
Every pilot who’s ever participated in the Blue Angels is a master about men. Thank you for your service and dedication.
Bad ass. Thank you
What a story 👍thanks for sharing
Another amazing history of a richly lived life filled with honour bravery and dedication. Thanks for sharing the story of this particular hero of yours.
Mr. Rud - God Bless you, sir! There's none better than the Blue Angels. You have to be so proud to have been chosen - they are the best of the best. Every time I see them, I get so excited, I cry. Thank you, so much, for this upload - excellent!
These are a great series of videos...Most impressive. Thank you for interviewing these Legends for posterity.
Thanks for the kind words! I'll keep at it!
@@BlueAngelPhantoms
I hope you can do one on Donnie Cochran. It would he nice to hear his side of story from being a formation pilot to being a Boss
Great Job Gilman. It was awesome to be around during all of this and to serve with you. As a Former SSWFGD CO as well, it is even greater to be in good company. I'm glad to have served with you also in your time with McDonald Douglass and Boeing. Can't wait to see the Super Hornet Show.
i could listen to his stories all day
Great interview. Great leader great boss
Outstanding.
Grew up in Beeville, Chase was a good base. We lived 4 miles north of the runway so you flew over us all the time. Knew some good pilots that went very high up in the service. Thank you for your service
Such another great interview!!!!. For a moment I felt like the interview was going to last forever which secretly within I was hoping for.
Gil Rud couldn't have been more open about his Naval career and Blue Angels past. Wouldn't mind to ever come across a book by Gil Rud about his life in the service, flying duty and most prominently his service time with the Blues. Great story telling, contagious attitude and a vid way too short to my liking.
Once again, WOWWWW, what a pleasant, insightful and exciting vid to watch.
Thanks, Victor. I recently started a Blue Angel Phantoms podcast. With Boss Rud's permission, I plan on publishing the unedited interview there, as there was so much I had to cut out. Keep an eye out for it!
@@BlueAngelPhantoms I sure will!!!!!. Can't hardly wait for it to happen!!!!.
Thanks a lot!!!.
@@BlueAngelPhantoms by the way, please, keep posting these awesome interviews not just with the flyers themselves but with ground crews whenever possible. They e got also a say, a very compelling one indeed, in the Blue Angels history and track record.
Met him while working with his daughter at Sal's T-shirt shop as an airbrush artist on Pensacola beach. I Airbrushed a painting of his F-18 and I ended up giving it to him. Hell of a nice guy.
I remember as a kid watching them perform over Hamilton Ontario during a airshow in 86'. Good memories:).
Wow...quite the story there sir! I can't imagine how awesome it must have been to do the things you did in your career and especially with the blue angels. From one vet to another...HOOOAH! 😁
Gil is the same in person as he is in the interview. He was my recruiter that started my Navy career flying F14s.
thank you for your service sir wish i was born in the US so i could become a Naval aviator.
Always loved the A-4 Skyhawk as the Blue Angels aircraft. My USN squadron flew the E and F mods while I was an AO. Great little bomber and I appreciate the tribute given this plane to serve so long as a Blue.
Great video and terrific story. His #2, Mark Bircher was my plebe year squad leader at USNA. One tough SOB but not surprised he ended up as Marine, Blue Angel and retired as Brigadier General.
I love old people. They always have a story to tell.
I watch the Blue Angels Rolling in the Sky video from time to time. It revolved around his 1987 team. When I was little I first saw it and wanted to go see them at an airshow. I finally got to see them in 1994 when they came to my area. Got to go on board Fat Albert and buy some swag and meet a lot of wonderful people. I was just impressed by the overall culture of the team.
What a wonderful story. It reminds me of how small the world is. My dad was on the Oriskany with you up until 1972 when he retired. I wish he was still around so I could share this video with him. More than likely Mr. Rud has talked to him as he was a Senior Chief Petty Officer radioman.
Fantastic interview....Had the honor of meeting Comander Cochran aboard Ranger 1991. He was #3 with comander Rudd's team. All the finest gentleman the Navy produced.
I'm humbled to say I have seen Gil in the A-4 as well as the F -18. What an incredible man in charge of the most incredible team of pilots in the world. Thank you for your service GIL ✌🏼✌🏼🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸👍🏼👍🏼
As an American, I hope to live up to your standard sir. God bless you, god bless your wife, and god bless the USA.
awesome. This means I saw his last Skyhawk season and his first Hornet season.
I had the honor of being stationed on the Connie when Capt. Rud became our new CO! Change of Command took place in NAS Mayport in 1993. Treated everyone with respect and was happy to meet everyone on the boat. Thank you Sir for your service !
The title of this should be “Why Fathers are Important”
Living in Annapolis I've met numerous former Blues and as a pilot myself I'm still in awe of these guys.
My neighbor(hero of mine) was LCDR Bruce Hart with VF-1Wolfpack on that Enterprise cruise in 75, as was a childhood friend of mine's father who was "Pappy" Schluntz in VF-2 Bounty Hunters. Yeah, I lived near Miramar.👍. Great interview.
I think I saw the Blues Demo in ‘86 at Kingsville NAS.
New subscriber. Great contents 👍
Thank you! Honored to have you onboard. Cheers!
I must have seen them quite a few times at Moffett Field back in the 80's. Miss the A-4's.
Thanks Gil. I was a little boy when I saw the Blue Angels for the first time. Was at Miramar, CA. I always loved aviation. The first solo that came out of nowhere, shocked me into the love I Have for all things built by human hands.
Top Gun Filmed in my hometown! What??
I am Fan of the blue angels since I was a kid, they are just the best, I just remember the transition of the F18, it was WHAO!! after 30 year still amazing to watch, they no question they are the best of the best.
I met him once at Willow Grove Nas. And that was the Tightest Show I have ever witnessed !
Awesome flying experience and Can Do Leadership shared by Skipper Rud USN. GoNavy ! 🇺🇲
1999, I was out of college and working on my Private Pilot’s License when I saw one of his Blue Angels videos. It inspired me to do well in flight school.
Good stuff! Thank you, Sir! 👍
Great story told. What an awesome Man.
You can still find CAPT Rud's performances with the Blues here on UA-cam, I didn't think much of him years ago but now after hearing his story I see him as quite the lenient easy going CO! Thanks so much for your outstanding service Captain! His story with the mustache reminds me of General Robin Olds' mustache from Vietnam when he went to a meeting with then Chief of Staff of the USAF General McConnell walks up to General Olds sticks his finger under his nose, and says "get rid of it", Olds response was simply "yes, sir!" I'd really like to see the perspectives of now retired Admiral Pat Walsh, retired Brig Gen Mark Bircher, and retired CAPT Donnie Cochran!
Love you, brother! Miss you here at Pax
I first saw the Blues flying Grumman Tigers. They had one on display at the entrance to NAS PNCLA when I was there. Beautiful and inspiring. Then they got Phantoms. Impressive plane, but less maneuverable, so their turning took more area. The show seemed less intimate. The A-4s they got later turned tightly, so the show was more close-up. The F-18s kind of combined maneuverability and power, so that show was very impressive. I worked for Navy Fighter Weapons School by then (TOPGUN) so I saw Rud's crew in both the A-4 and F-18. Three TOPGUN instructors I knew went on the Blues, including one who became leader.
Good times.
I could die a happy man if I was to fly with the Blue Angels, even if it was just one time. I watch them every other year when they come to Dayton. I think I have this guys autograph along with the other angels on an old program from the Dayton airshow.
Living in Annapolis we saw the Blues every year. For me the practice day was the best as they were orienteering the area. My friend lived in the big White House across from the Naval Academy and it was a checkpoint for them. Their entrance was directly over the house. Best 2 days of the year. I experienced them from the F-11 Tigers to the F-18 Hornets. My favorite will always be The A-4 aka Heineman Hotrod.