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Face of Defense: From Classroom Excellence to Soaring With the Blue Angels

Navy Petty Officer 1st Class Nick Kaminski's journey from a small town in Maryland to a supervisory position with the prestigious Blue Angels team is not only a testament to his personal dedication and world-class naval training but also to a rich family legacy of military service. Inspired by family members who served in the Navy, Kaminski has carved his own path in naval aviation, and his story exemplifies the Navy's commitment to training and developing elite sailors.

A pilot poses in front of a blue military jet aircraft inside a hangar.
Angel Pose
Navy Petty Officer 1st Class Nick Kaminski poses in front of a Blue Angels F/A-18 Super Hornet at Naval Air Station Pensacola, Fla., Aug. 2, 2024. Kaminski serves with the Blue Angels, the Navy's flight demonstration squadron.
Credit: Austen McClain, Navy
VIRIN: 240802-N-HN924-1011

Navy Petty Officer 1st Class Nick Kaminski
Job Title: Aviation Structural Mechanic 
Hometown: Mount Airy, Md. 
Stationed: Naval Air Station Pensacola, Fla. 
Unit: Navy Flight Demonstration Squadron, The Blue Angels

A Legacy of Service

For Kaminski, the decision to join the Navy was deeply influenced by his family, starting with both of his grandfathers and a cousin, all of whom served in the Navy. His grandfather, Thomas Kaminski, served as a petty officer first class from 1940 to 1945 during World War II, aboard the USS Beaver and USS Cebu. His other grandfather, Herbert "Dee" Diamond, was a petty officer second class, serving during the Cuban Missile Crisis with Patrol Squadron 16 "War Eagles" on the P2V Neptune. Kaminski's cousin, Todd Bailey, retired as a master chief petty officer after more than 20 years of service across various commands worldwide.

"All three of these men introduced me to the Navy at a young age, including taking me to see the Blue Angels when I was around six years old," Kaminski recalls.

Three people pose in front of a Christmas tree while in a room.
Family Pose
Navy Petty Officer 1st Class Nick Kaminski, center, poses with his mother and sister while home on leave.
Credit: Navy Petty Officer 1st Class Nick Kaminski
VIRIN: 241001-N-D0439-1001
"When I showed a real interest in the Navy, Todd guided me through the process and has been a mentor to me throughout my career."

Though Kaminski didn't join the Navy until he was 25, his family's influence and their shared stories of service inspired him to pursue his career, ultimately shaping his decision to become part of one of the Navy's most elite aviation teams. 

Laying the Foundation for Success

Kaminski's formal Navy journey began when he attended the Airframes "A" School at the Naval Air Technical Training Center in Pensacola, Florida, in March 2018. Reflecting on his initial experiences with Naval Education and Training Command and NATTC, Kaminski recalls how the training he received was fundamental to his success in the fleet. 
 
"NATTC set the tone for the beginning of my career in naval aviation," Kaminski explains. "The instructors and curriculum provided me with the essential theories and concepts of aviation, which I still rely on today." 
 
After completing his training, Kaminski's first assignment took him to the "Vikings" of Electronic Attack Squadron 129 in Whidbey Island, Washington. He later served with the "Diamondbacks" of Strike Fighter Squadron 102 in Iwakuni, Japan, where he completed two deployments aboard the USS Ronald Reagan. His ability to understand and read hydraulic schematics, a critical skill honed at NATTC, proved invaluable as he tackled complex maintenance challenges throughout his career.

Four military aircraft fly in close formation against a cloudy blue sky.
Flight Time
The Blue Angels, the Navy’s flight demonstration squadron, perform at the Frontiers in Flight Air Show in Wichita, Kan., Aug. 24, 2024.
Credit: Navy Chief Petty Officer Michael Russell
VIRIN: 240824-N-KB563-1662Y
Four male service members pose for a photo with a blue and gold military aircraft in the background.
Aircraft Crew
From left, Marine Corps Sgt. Andrew Stillner, a fixed-wing aircraft airframe mechanic, and Navy Petty Officers 1st Class Nick Kaminski and Anthony Munoz, and Navy Petty Officer 2nd Class Jerry Rumbaugh pose for a group photo in front of a Blue Angels F/A-18 Super Hornet at Naval Air Station Pensacola, Fla., Aug. 2, 2024. All four serve with the Blue Angels, the U.S. Navy's flight demonstration squadron.
Credit: Austen McClain, Navy
VIRIN: 240802-N-HN924-1012
Four military jets fly above a narrow stretch of beach with boats dotting the water on both sides.
High Performance
The Blue Angels fly above Pensacola Beach, Fla., July 12, 2024. The Blue Angels are the Navy and Marine Corps’ premier flight demonstration squadron, performing at 32 sites every year.
Credit: Navy Petty Officer 2nd Class Crayton Agnew
VIRIN: 240712-N-DN159-3069A

Joining the Blue Angels 

In 2022, Kaminski applied for a position with the Blue Angels, a decision he describes as one of the most challenging yet rewarding moments of his career.

Three sailors wearing Blue Angels uniform pose while seated in a truck.
Airframe Squad
Navy Petty Officer 1st Class Nick Kaminski and members of the Navy Flight Demonstration Squadron at a show site in Wichita, Kan.
Credit: Courtesy photo, Navy
VIRIN: 241001-N-D0439-1005
Now a supervisor within the Blue Angels' airframes work center, Kaminski oversees a team that specializes in the hydraulic systems, landing gear, flight controls and composite/sheet metal structural repair on the F/A-18E/F Super Hornet.
 
"The camaraderie and teamwork taught at NATTC are very similar to what we practice at the Blue Angels," Kaminski says. "These values are instilled in sailors from the beginning and are essential for mission success, especially in high-pressure environments."
 
Kaminski takes great pride in showcasing the Navy and Marine Corps' capabilities to the public, describing it as an opportunity to inspire youth while highlighting the teamwork and dedication that keep the Navy running smoothly. "Being able to show a small piece of what the Navy and Marine Corps do on a daily basis is something that will stay with me for life," Kaminski adds.

A group of Blue Angles airplanes perform the double farvel maneuver over a beach.
Double Farvel
Navy Flight Demonstration Squadron, the Blue Angels, diamond pilots perform the double farvel maneuver during the Pensacola Beach Air Show, July 8, 2021.
Credit: Navy Petty Officer 2nd Class Cody Hendrix
VIRIN: 210708-N-YO638-1328
As seen from above the Blue Angels perform the double farvel maneuver over a green sea.
210708-N-YO638-1359
The Navy Flight Demonstration Squadron, the Blue Angels, diamond pilots perform the double farvel maneuver during the Pensacola Beach Air Show, July 8, 2021.
Credit: Navy Petty Officer 2nd Class Cody Hendrix
VIRIN: 210708-N-YO638-1359

Kaminski said it's hard to choose a single favorite Blue Angels maneuver. "I really like the Double Farvel. It's very unique and as the season progresses, the pilots really get it dialed in."

During the Double Farvel, two pilots are inverted simultaneously and the other two are upright while maintaining a diamond formation.
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A Life Beyond the Navy 

Outside of his professional duties, Kaminski is passionate about fishing, music, photography and fitness. "The nice thing about the Navy is that you're often near water, which brings great fishing opportunities," he says. Music, a hobby he's had long before joining the military, continues to be a creative outlet for him. 

A man wearing a hat holds a camera to his face inside a room.
Photographer's Eye
A self portrait of Navy Petty Officer 1st Class Nick Kaminski while stationed in Iwakuni, Japan.
Credit: Navy Petty Officer 1st Class Nick Kaminski
VIRIN: 241001-N-D0439-1006
A man poses holding a fish in front of a body of water.
Great Catch
Navy Petty Officer 1st Class Nick Kaminski catches a rainbow trout while fly fishing in Montana.
Credit: Navy Petty Officer 1st Class Nick Kaminski
VIRIN: 241001-N-D0439-1004

Kaminski emphasizes that the greatest gift the Navy has given him is the relationships he's built. "The best thing the Navy has offered me is the opportunity to make lifelong friends who have turned into family, along with the chance to travel the world." 

As the Navy continues to evolve, foundational training through NETC remains crucial. By leveraging cutting-edge learning science and technology, NETC is dedicated to recruiting the best future sailors and delivering world-class education and training that equips them for success in the fleet. 
 
Kaminski's career is a shining example of the Navy's commitment to developing top-tier warfighters. His journey from the classrooms of NATTC to his role with the Blue Angels demonstrates the Navy's dedication to building a lethal and survivable fleet through elite vocational training.

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