Lieutenant Commander Brandon Hempler is a native of Wamego, Kansas, and graduated from Wamego High School in 2002, where he lettered in cross country. He attended Kansas State University (KSU), Salina, Kansas, and graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Airway Science in May 2007. After serving as a flight instructor at KSU for a semester, Brandon reported to Naval Air Station (NAS) Pensacola, Florida, for Officer Candidate School and earned his commission as an Ensign in the U.S. Navy.

Brandon reported to NAS Pensacola for aviation indoctrination in October 2007. He completed Primary flight training in the T-6 Texan II at Vance Air Force Base, Enid, Oklahoma, and completed Intermediate and Advanced flight training in the T-45C Goshawk at NAS Kingsville, Texas. He earned his wings of gold in November 2009.

Brandon then reported to Strike Fighter Attack Squadron (VFA) 106, the “Gladiators,” at NAS Oceana, Virginia, in January 2010 for initial training in the F/A-18E Super Hornet. He reported to Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 31, the “Tomcatters,” at NAS Oceana in November 2010, where he served as Schedules Officer, Line Division Officer, Naval Air Training and Operation Procedures Standardization Officer, Assistant Operations Officer and Landing Signal Officer. While assigned to VFA-31, Brandon completed deployments in the Middle East aboard USS George H.W. Bush (CVN 77) in support of Operations New Dawn, Enduring Freedom, and Inherent Resolve.

Brandon joined the Blue Angels in September 2016. He has accumulated more than 2,600 flight hours and 320 carrier-arrested landings. His decorations include two Strike Flight Air Medals, two Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medals, and various personal and unit awards.

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Episode Description:

Right in the middle of the #AmericaStrongFlyover campaign, we get a chance to sit down with Lieutenant Commander Brandon Hempler, the Lead Solo Pilot (#5) for the US Navy Blue Angels! We talk about how he mentally prepares for shows, the technical details of flying the F/A-18 Hornet, and even find a way to relate it back to shooting! This is an amazing episode, you’re not going to want to miss it!

Go check out LCDR Brandon Hempler:

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