Owings Mills Man Makes Blue Angels Roster For 2023

PENSACOLA, FL — The 2023 Blue Angels roster reportedly includes a man from Owings Mills.

Lt. Cmdr. Thomas Zimmerman, who graduated from the United States Naval Academy in 2009, was one of six new members added to the team, the Blue Angels reported this week.

He is currently assigned to the “Red Rippers” of Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 11, according to a statement from the Blue Angels, which is the U.S. Navy’s flight demonstration squadron.

Zimmerman is from Owings Mills and was in the class of 2004 at St. Paul's School, the Capital Gazette reported.

He was selected after interviewing at the Blue Angels' base in Pensacola, Fla., and was part of an elite group that also for the first time includes a woman.

The female pilot — Lt. Amanda Lee — is from Minnesota.

“We had an overwhelming number of applicants from all over the globe this year,” Capt. Brian Kesselring, commanding officer and flight leader of the Blue Angels, said in a statement. “We look forward to training our fantastic new team members, passing on the torch, and watching the incredible things this team will accomplish in 2023.”

The group is slated to report in September and conduct a five-month training.