NAS PENSACOLA, Fla. – Fargo native Cmdr. Brian Kesselring has been named commanding officer and flight leader of the U.S. Navy Flight Demonstration Squadron the Blue Angels for the squadron's 2020 and 2021 air show seasons.

A panel of admirals and former commanding officers selected Kesselring to succeed Capt. Eric Doyle.

Applicants are required to have a minimum of 3,000 flight hours and be in current command or have had past command of a tactical jet squadron.

Kesselring's most recent command was Strike Fighter Squadron 81. Previous assignments include four squadron tours, where he flew the F/A-18 Hornet and deployed in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom, Operation New Dawn, Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Inherent Resolve.

Kesselring earned degrees in physics, mathematics and business administration from Concordia College in Moorhead, and he holds a master's degree in national security strategy from the U.S. Naval War College.

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He has more than 3,790 flight hours and 812 carrier-arrested landings.

Kesselring's decorations include the Air Medal, Strike/ Flight Air Medals, Navy Commendation Medals, Navy Achievement Medals, as well as various campaign and unit awards.

“It’s absolutely humbling, and I’m honored to be here to represent the Navy and Marine Corps team," Kesselring said in a news release. “Throughout my career as an F/A-18 pilot, I’ve always looked to the Blues as a source of inspiration," he added.

Kesselring will officially take command of the squadron at the end of the air show season in November. The change-of-command ceremony is slated for Nov. 10 at the National Naval Aviation Museum.

As the Blue Angels' commanding officer, Kesselring will lead a squadron of 141 personnel and serve as the demonstration flight leader.

The Blue Angels perform for 11 million people annually across the United States, and are scheduled to perform 56 shows in 29 locations for the 2020 season.

For more information about the Blue Angels, including the 2019 and 2020 air show schedules, visit www.blueangels.navy.mil.