Chief of Naval Air Training Rear Adm. Greg Harris announced Cmdr. Todd Royles as the incoming executive officer of the 2020 Navy Flight Demonstration Squadron, the Blue Angels.

A native of Willow Grove, Pennsylvania, Royles attended Pennsylvania State University where he graduated with a Bachelor of Science in administration of justice and received his commission in May 2001.

Royles attended flight school at Naval Air Station (NAS) Pensacola and was then designated a naval flight officer. He received training at Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA-122) in Lemoore, California, to become a Weapon Systems Officer (WSO) in the F/A-18F Super Hornet and completed two Western Pacific deployments aboard aircraft carrier USS Nimitz (CVN 68).

Royles returned to VFA-122 to serve as an instructor WSO and was on the Super Hornet Tactical Demonstration Team. He is a United States Navy Fighter Weapons School (TOPGUN) graduate, flew combat missions in support of Operations Iraqi Freedom, Enduring Freedom, and Inherent Resolve, and served previously on the Blue Angels team as the events coordinator.

Following Royles’ transition to the Selected Reserve, he reported to Training Squadron 86 aboard NAS Pensacola where he currently serves as the executive officer. Royles will join Cmdr. Brian Kesselring to lead the Blue Angels in their 2020 season.

The mission of the United States Navy Flight Demonstration Squadron is to showcase the pride and professionalism of the United States Navy and Marine Corps by inspiring a culture of excellence and service to country through flight demonstrations and community outreach.

CNATRA, headquartered in Corpus Christi, trains the world’s finest combat quality aviation professionals, delivering them at the right time, in the right numbers, and at the right cost to a naval force that is where it matters, when it matters.

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