The Navy's Blue Angels removed one of their six demonstration pilots, Marine Corps Maj. Scott Laux, for "failing to uphold the standards expected" of the squadron, leaving the team to fly a five-jet show at its season finale.
The Chief of Naval Air Training confirmed to FOX10 News on Saturday that Blue Angel No. 6 was removed on Nov. 3. "No further information was given," the station reported.
What we know
Laux, the team's opposing solo pilot, was identified as No. 6 and missed the NAS Pensacola Homecoming Air Show on Friday and Saturday, Fox News reported. The Navy has not said what conduct led to his removal, and his photo and biography were taken off the team page.
A second-year member, Laux joined the team in September 2024 and served first as its narrator. He is a 2012 Naval Academy graduate who flew F/A-18 Hornets and F-35C jets, according to his biography.
Fox News noted the removal came months after a controversial low flyover at Pensacola Beach in July. Laux was not the pilot on that maneuver, and it is unclear whether the two are related.
The Blue Angels perform at San Francisco's Fleet Week each October.