Blue Angels visit Colorado Springs, scouting for first-ever performance in August

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (KRDO) - Lieutenant Commander Brian Vaught says it's good to be home. After growing up in Colorado, he's excited to do his first-ever show in Colorado Springs, one of two pilots who flew in on Blue Angel 7 Thursday afternoon to scout out the conditions and airspace for the upcoming show.

Vaught grew up in Colorado and graduated from the University of Colorado Boulder, and shortly after decided to become a fighter pilot when he watched a fly-over himself. After that, he became a Navy pilot and acquired around a decade of experience before joining the Blue Angels in 2022. Now, his goal is to inspire others to do the same.

"You'll see the kid's faces.  Hopefully, they'll leave -- Maybe some of them will want to be pilots, and if not, they'll go out and find what they want to do and do it to the best of their ability," Vaught said.

For him, performing in an air show this summer feels like coming home.

"Colorado will always have a special place in my heart. It's nice to be back. So I'm excited to show the rest of the team what this state has to offer," Vaught said.

Those who want to attend the air show in August can buy tickets here.