Two Marines Removed From Blue Angels Amid Unclear Reasons
Two Marines were removed from the Blue Angels without clear explanations, sparking questions about their sudden exits.
2 min read
Two Marines have been removed from the U.S. Navy’s elite Blue Angels stunt-flying team, but the details behind their abrupt exits remain unclear. Marine Maj. Scott Laux was the first to be removed, reportedly for failing to uphold standards, though no specifics were provided. The Chief of Naval Air Training confirmed his departure, stating that Laux would not participate in the team’s remaining performances of the season.
Unclear Reasons for Removal
The last performance of the season, the annual homecoming air show at Naval Air Station Pensacola, Florida, took place on November 6 and 7 with only five jets in the air. Laux, who had served as the narrator for the group, was removed for failing to meet the standards expected of the Navy Flight Demonstration Squadron. However, no details were given about which standards he may have violated.
Second Marine Also Scrubbed
Marine Capt. Danielle Cribb, who served as the Blue Angels’ Public Affairs Officer, was also removed from the team in recent weeks. Her bio and photo were removed from the team’s website between August 7 and October 16, according to The Aviationist, which reported based on archived snapshots from the Internet Archive’s Wayback Machine. Cribb had listed Laux as her mentor, raising questions about the connection between their removals.
Impact on Team Performance
Laux had spent nearly a decade as a Marine fighter pilot before joining the Blue Angels in 2024. He became the group’s narrator in 2025 and was moved to the No. 6 position in 2026, flying as the opposing solo. Losing this position means the team’s lead solo will fly the patterns alone, altering maneuvers like the “Mirror Image Dirty Pass” to an “Inverted Dirty Flat Pass.” The rigorous training for the team includes over 120 practice flights during winter training at Naval Air Facility El Centro, California, and does not allow for backup pilots.
Uncertainty About Future
It remains unclear whether Laux or Cribb have been permanently removed from the team. Cribb’s family has stated that her removal is unrelated to Laux’s. The lack of transparency surrounding their exits has left fans and observers questioning the reasons behind the sudden changes in the team’s roster.
Source: Daily Wire
