VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. (WAVY) — The flight leader of the Blue Angels for the 2024 season, Capt. Alex Armatas has amassed thousands of flying hours, hours that have helped him prepare for the task of leading the Navy’s most visible flight squadron.
A native of Skaneateles, New York, Armatas graduated from the United States Naval Academy in 2002 with a Bachelor of Science in aerospace engineering,
Armatas, who joined the Blue Angels in August 2022, is known as callsign “BOSS” to his wingmen, with his job to lead the formation through the demonstration.
For a large part of the demonstration, the three wingmen of the diamond formation will be flying off his wing — looking to him for cues on power, how much to pull back on the stick, or where to go.
Armatas said that “every single radio call means something” — how long or how fast he says something, such as “a little more powerrrrrrrr” or “a little more pullllllll” is a sign to the other pilots for how much input he is putting into his jet. That lets his wingmen know how much input to put into their jets.
For Armatas, coming back to Oceana is always special.
Following his training officer tour, he reported to the VFA-143 “Pukin’ Dogs” at NAS Oceana in Virginia Beach as a department head, as he deployed aboard USS Harry S. Truman (CVN-75) in support of Operation Inherent Resolve.
In December 2016, Alexander received orders to the Navy Personnel Command (NPC) in Millington, Tennessee, as Strike Fighter Placement Officer, after which he reported to the “Gunslingers” of VFA-105.
He became executive officer in October 2019, and assumed command in January 2021. While assigned to VFA105, he deployed twice aboard USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN-69) in support of Operation Freedom’s Sentinel and was awarded the 2020 Navy and Marine Corps Association Leadership Award. This year marks his final year as the Blue Angels “BOSS.”
Armatas and the Blue Angels will be flying around 3 p.m. each day as part of the NAS Oceana Airshow, being held this weekend. Gates open at 8 a.m., and flying begins around 10. For more information, visit their website at oceanaairshow.com.