Oklahoma City native selected for Blue Angels team

Jack Keilty, an Oklahoma City native, has been selected as a demonstration pilot for the Blue Angels. U.S. Navy – Photo and graphic by Chief Mass Communication Specialist Paul Archer

An Oklahoma City native has been selected to join the U.S. Navy Flight Demonstration Squadron Blue Angels for the 2024 air show season.

Lt. Cmdr. Jack Keilty from Oklahoma City was selected as an F/A-18E/F Super Hornet pilot and is currently assigned to Strike Fighter Squadron 211 (VFA-211).

Keilty is one of seven new officers to join the team for the 2024 air show season. The squadron selected three F/A-18E/F Super Hornet pilots, a C-130J Super Hercules pilot, an aviation maintenance officer, a supply officer, and a public affairs officer to replace outgoing team members.

Keilty grew up in the Mid-Del area. He went to school at Parkview Elementary and Jarman Junior High and graduated from Mount St. Mary where his father worked as a teacher and coach.

He graduated from Virginia Military Institute.

His father John Keilty served in the Navy for 30 years, retiring in 2001 as commander of Strategic Communications Wing ONE at Tinker Air Force Base.

The U.S. Navy Blue Angels perform at the Tinker Air Show July 1 at Tinker Air Force Base. Photo by Jeff Harrison