Tri-City Pilot is One of 2 East Bay Pilots Chosen For Navy Blue Angels Team

Two East Bay residents, Danville's U.S. Navy Lieutenant Nate Scott, 31, and Fremont's U.S. Navy Lt. Damon Kroes, 34, were recently selected to be members of the Blue Angels for the 2017 air show season. Just four pilots were chosen to join the elite U.S. Navy Flight Demonstration Squadron.

"It is such a privilege to have so many talented officers apply to be part of the Blue Angels tradition of showcasing the Navy and Marine Corps to the American public," Commander Ryan Bernacchi, flight leader and commanding officer of the 2016 team, said in a statement. "I am inspired by all of those who applied this year and we have an exceptional group to add to next year's team."

According to Navy officials, Scott is an F/A-18 Hornet instructor pilot based in NAS Oceana, Virginia. He graduated from University of Southern California, Los Angeles in 2007.

Kroes is also an F/A-18 Hornet Instructor Pilot currently assigned to Marine Fighter Attack Training Squadron 101 at Marine Corps Air Station Miramar, California. He graduated from San Diego State University in 2006.

Autumn Johnson (Patch Staff) contributed to this article.

U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Andrea Perez/Released