NASJaxAirshow2017

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NAS Oceana, Virginia, in April 2005, where
he served as Schedules Officer, Avionics/Armament
(AV/ARM) Division Officer, Naval Air
Training and Operation Procedures Standardization
Officer, Assistant Operations Officer,
and Landing Signals Officer. While assigned to
VFA-87, Frank deployed aboard USS Theodore
Roosevelt (CVN 71) in August 2005 and flew
34 combat missions in support of Operation
Iraqi Freedom. He was awarded the Lieutenant
Charles Nelson Award for Junior Officer Leadership,
which contributed to VFA-87 winning a
2005 and 2006 Battle “E” Award for sustained
superior performance in an operational environment
during his tenure.
Frank was selected to join the Blue Angels at
NAS Pensacola in September 2007 and served
as the Narrator, Key Influencer and VIP Pilot,
Opposing Solo, and Lead Solo. While assigned
to the Blue Angels, he earned a master’s
degree in Systems Analysis from the Naval
Postgraduate School, Monterey, California, in
September 2009.
Frank returned to the fleet in February
2011 as a Department Head for Strike Fighter
Squadron (VFA) 97, the “Warhawks,” at NAS
Lemoore, California, where he served as Safety
Officer, Administrative Officer, Operations Officer,
and Maintenance Officer. While assigned
to VFA-97, Frank completed two deployments
aboard USS John C. Stennis (CVN 74) to the
Western Pacific/Arabian Gulf in support of
Operations New Dawn and Enduring Freedom.
VFA-97 won a 2013 Battle “E” Award during his
tenure.
Frank then reported to NATO School
Oberammergau, Germany, in December 2013.
While assigned to the school, Frank was Director
of Mobile Training and Education, oversaw
all NATO School Oberammergau training activities
throughout the world, and personally conducted
training in Ethiopia, France, Germany,
and Ukraine.
Frank rejoined the Blue Angels in July 2016.
He has accumulated more than 4,300 flight
hours and 400 carrier-arrested landings. His
decorations include the Defense Meritorious
Service Medal, the Meritorious Service Medal,
three Strike Flight Air Medals, two Navy and
Marine Corps Commendation Medals, and various
personal and unit awards.
Lieutenant Tyler Davies,
United States Navy
Lieutenant Tyler Davies is a
native of Kennesaw, Georgia,
and graduated from North Cobb
High School in June 2000. He
enlisted in the U.S. Navy and completed basic
training at Recruit Training Command Great
Lakes, Illinois, in August 2000.
Tyler completed Aviation Electronics Technician
“A” School at Naval Aviation Technical
Training Center, Naval Air Station (NAS)
Pensacola, Florida, and reported to NAS
Oceana, Virginia, for Radar Communications
(RADCOM) “C” school. Upon completion of
RADCOM training, he reported to Aviation
Intermediate Maintenance Department (AIMD),
NAS Oceana, in June 2001. While assigned
to AIMD Oceana, he completed deployments
aboard USS George Washington (CVN 73) and
USS Enterprise (CVN 65) in support of multiple
NATO operations.
Tyler reported to Fleet Readiness Center
(FRC) Southwest Site Point Mugu, California, in
September 2004, where he served in the Avionics
Division. In 2007, he was selected as FRC
Southwest Site Point Mugu and Commander
Airborne Early Warning Wing Sailor of the Year.
While assigned to FRC, Tyler attended the
University of La Verne, Riverside, California,
and graduated with a Bachelor of Science in
Organizational Management in May 2007. He
then reported to Naval Station Newport, Rhode
Island, for Officer Candidate School in September
2007 and was commissioned as an Ensign
in the U.S. Navy.
Tyler reported to NAS Pensacola for aviation
indoctrination in January 2008. He completed
primary flight training in the T-34C Mentor at
NAS Whiting Field, Florida, then transferred to
NAS Meridian, Mississippi, for advanced flight
training in the T-45C Goshawk. He received his
wings of gold in June 2010.
Tyler then reported to Strike Fighter
Squadron (VFA) 106, the “Gladiators,” at NAS
Oceana, in July 2010 for initial training in the
F/A-18E/F Super Hornet.
Tyler reported to Strike Fighter Squadron
(VFA) 22, the “Fighting Redcocks,” at NAS
Lemoore, California, in August 2011, where
he served as Assistant Line Division Officer,
Drug and Alcohol Program Awareness Officer,
Motorcycle Safety Officer, Schedules Officer,
Air-to-Ground Training Officer, and a squadron
Forward-Air Controller (Airborne) (FAC(A)).
While assigned to VFA-22, Tyler deployed
aboard USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70) and flew in
support of Operation Enduring Freedom.
Tyler returned to VFA-106 in August 2014 as
an instructor pilot and also served as Auxiliary
Retail Outlet Officer, Drug and Alcohol Program
Awareness Officer, Suicide Prevention Coordinator,
FAC(A), Strike Representative, and
Assistant Strike Phase Head.
Tyler joined the Blue Angels in September
2015. He has accumulated more than 1,500
flight hours and 220 carrier-arrested landings.
His decorations include four Navy and Marine
Corps Achievement Medals, and various personal
and unit awards.
Lieutenant Brandon
Hempler, United States
Navy
Lieutenant Brandon Hempler
is a native of Wamego, Kansas,
and graduated from Wamego
High School in 2002, where he lettered in cross
country. He attended Kansas State University
(KSU), Salina, Kansas, and graduated with a
Bachelor of Science in Airway Science in May
2007. After serving as a flight instructor at KSU
for a semester, Brandon reported to Naval Air
Station (NAS) Pensacola, Florida, for Officer
Candidate School and was commissioned an
Ensign in the U.S. Navy.
Brandon reported to NAS Pensacola for aviation
indoctrination in October 2007. He completed
primary flight training in the T-6 Texan
II at Vance Air Force Base, Enid, Oklahoma,
and completed intermediate and advanced
flight training in the T-45C Goshawk at NAS
Kingsville, Texas. He received his wings of gold
in November 2009.
Brandon then reported to Strike Fighter
Attack Squadron (VFA) 106, the “Gladiators,”
at NAS Oceana, Virginia, in January 2010 for
initial training in the F/A-18E Super Hornet. He
reported to Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 31,
the “Tomcatters,” at NAS Oceana, in November
2010, where he served as Schedules Officer,
Line Division Officer, Naval Air Training and
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30 ó 2017 NAS Jax Air Show ó