Brian Kesselring

Career Capt. Brian Kesselring salutes from the cockpit of his F/A-18 Super Hornet

Kesselring began his military career with the United States Navy in 2001. From 2008 to 2011, he was an instructor at the TOPGUN program at Naval Air Station Fallon, Nevada. He took over leadership of the Blue Angels from Capt. Eric Doyle. The Blue Angels transitioned from the legacy F/A-18 Hornet to the new F/A-18E Super Hornet during the 2022 season. Kesselring remained with the team for an additional season beyond the standard two-year term to facilitate the transition. During his tenure, the team was featured in the documentary film The Blue Angels. In 2023 he was named Deputy Commander of Carrier Air Wing CVW 5.