Donnie Cochran
Encyclopedia
Captain Donnie L. Cochran was the first African-American
aviator assigned to the United States Navy
Flight Demonstration Squadron (Blue Angels
) in 1986. Cochran later assumed command of the Blue Angels in 1994.
(in southwest Georgia)
.
On July 13, 1985, during an air show at Niagara Falls International Airport
, two A-4 Skyhawk
jet aircraft collided. Navy Lieutenant Commander Mike Gershon, of Pensacola, Florida
was killed; the other, Lieutenant Anthony Caputi, 30, ejected from his plane and landed safely on the grounds of the Niagara Falls Air Reserve Station
. Lieutenant Commander Cochran, along with two other pilots, were selected to replace these two members of the Blue Angels precision flying team.
On October 4, 1985, Cochran became the first African American to become a member of the Blue Angels precision flying team in the history of its 40 year existence. He flew planes #3 and #4 during this 3 year assignment. In 1986, Lieutenant Commander Cochran had flown more than 2,000 hours in jet fighters and completed 469 carrier landings. On July 4, 1986, Cochran , along with other members of the Blue Angels
flew an A-4 Skyhawk
in a ceremonial celebration saluting the restoration of the Statue of Liberty
.
Following two years of flying with the Blue Angels Cochran was stationed at the Naval Air Station at Miramar
. Next Cochran joined the "Bounty Hunters" of fighter squadron 2 (VF-2) while the squadron was deployed aboard the carrier USS Ranger (CV-61). He attended the Air War College
in Montgomery, Alabama
and during this time earned a masters degree in Human Resource Management from Troy State University. Following this Cochran reported to Fighter Squadron 1 (VF-1)
in March 1992 as Executive Officer. He took command of that same squadron in July 1993. When VF-1 was disestablished in September 1993, he became the commander of Fighter Squadron 111 (VF-111)
known as the "Sun Downers".
On May 10, 1991 Savannah State University
dedicated a memorial on the university's campus in honor of Cochran. The memorial contains an A4 jet painted in the Blue Angel's traditional colors of blue and gold and memorial plaque with the inscription:
In 1994, Cochran, was called to replace Commander Robert E. Stumpf, the Blue Angels' commanding officer, who had been grounded (placed in a no flying status) as a result of the "Tailhook Scandal
."
By 1995, Cochran had accumulated more than 4,350 total flight hours in seven (7) different types of naval aircraft and completed 570 carrier landings. During his tours as a Blue Angel pilot, he flew over 2,200 hours in more than 300 air shows before over 30 million spectators throughout the United States and Canada.
In September 1995, while Commanding Officer of the Blue Angels, then Commander Cochran "grounded" himself and cancelled a performance at Naval Air Station Oceana for what he called "flaws in his flying." On May 26, 1996, Cochran resigned as the Blues Commanding Officer, citing loss of confidence in his own flying. He said at the time, "I can hold my head high. I have not crashed any airplanes, none of my pilots have crashed an airplane, none of my pilots have been hurt."
Captain Cochran served as the Commanding Officer of the NROTC Unit at Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University (FAMU) from August 1996 until July 1999.
During his final assignment he served as the Deputy Commander, Navy Recruiting Command, second in command of over 7,000 people at over 1,500 locations around the nation and abroad. Captain Cochran retired from the U.S. Navy with over 24 years of aviation experience.
now known as Savannah State University
, Savannah, Georgia
in 1976 where he was a member of the NROTC program. He is also a graduate of the Air War College
in Montgomery, Alabama
and earned a masters degree in Human Resource Management from Troy State University.
Black people
The term black people is used in systems of racial classification for humans of a dark skinned phenotype, relative to other racial groups.Different societies apply different criteria regarding who is classified as "black", and often social variables such as class, socio-economic status also plays a...
aviator assigned to the United States Navy
United States Navy
The United States Navy is the naval warfare service branch of the United States Armed Forces and one of the seven uniformed services of the United States. The U.S. Navy is the largest in the world; its battle fleet tonnage is greater than that of the next 13 largest navies combined. The U.S...
Flight Demonstration Squadron (Blue Angels
Blue Angels
The United States Navy's Navy Flight Demonstration Squadron, popularly known as the Blue Angels, was formed in 1946 and is currently the oldest formal flying aerobatic team...
) in 1986. Cochran later assumed command of the Blue Angels in 1994.
Personal Biography
Donnie L. Cochran was born July 6, 1954, on a farm near Pelham, GeorgiaPelham, Georgia
Pelham is a city in Mitchell County, Georgia, United States. The population was 4,126 at the 2000 census. It was named for famed American Civil War officer John Pelham.-Geography:Pelham is located at ....
(in southwest Georgia)
Georgia (U.S. state)
Georgia is a state located in the southeastern United States. It was established in 1732, the last of the original Thirteen Colonies. The state is named after King George II of Great Britain. Georgia was the fourth state to ratify the United States Constitution, on January 2, 1788...
.
Military Biography
Cochran completed flight school and earned his Navy wings in 1978 after completing basic and advanced jet training.On July 13, 1985, during an air show at Niagara Falls International Airport
Niagara Falls International Airport
-Traffic figures:Niagara Falls International received 56,943 passengers in 2008. As per Federal Aviation Administration records, the airport had 660 passenger boardings in calendar year 2005 and 1,409 unscheduled enplanements in 2006....
, two A-4 Skyhawk
A-4 Skyhawk
The Douglas A-4 Skyhawk is a carrier-capable ground-attack aircraft designed for the United States Navy and United States Marine Corps. The delta winged, single-engined Skyhawk was designed and produced by Douglas Aircraft Company, and later McDonnell Douglas. It was originally designated the A4D...
jet aircraft collided. Navy Lieutenant Commander Mike Gershon, of Pensacola, Florida
Pensacola, Florida
Pensacola is the westernmost city in the Florida Panhandle and the county seat of Escambia County, Florida, United States of America. As of the 2000 census, the city had a total population of 56,255 and as of 2009, the estimated population was 53,752...
was killed; the other, Lieutenant Anthony Caputi, 30, ejected from his plane and landed safely on the grounds of the Niagara Falls Air Reserve Station
Niagara Falls International Airport
-Traffic figures:Niagara Falls International received 56,943 passengers in 2008. As per Federal Aviation Administration records, the airport had 660 passenger boardings in calendar year 2005 and 1,409 unscheduled enplanements in 2006....
. Lieutenant Commander Cochran, along with two other pilots, were selected to replace these two members of the Blue Angels precision flying team.
On October 4, 1985, Cochran became the first African American to become a member of the Blue Angels precision flying team in the history of its 40 year existence. He flew planes #3 and #4 during this 3 year assignment. In 1986, Lieutenant Commander Cochran had flown more than 2,000 hours in jet fighters and completed 469 carrier landings. On July 4, 1986, Cochran , along with other members of the Blue Angels
Blue Angels
The United States Navy's Navy Flight Demonstration Squadron, popularly known as the Blue Angels, was formed in 1946 and is currently the oldest formal flying aerobatic team...
flew an A-4 Skyhawk
A-4 Skyhawk
The Douglas A-4 Skyhawk is a carrier-capable ground-attack aircraft designed for the United States Navy and United States Marine Corps. The delta winged, single-engined Skyhawk was designed and produced by Douglas Aircraft Company, and later McDonnell Douglas. It was originally designated the A4D...
in a ceremonial celebration saluting the restoration of the Statue of Liberty
Statue of Liberty
The Statue of Liberty is a colossal neoclassical sculpture on Liberty Island in New York Harbor, designed by Frédéric Bartholdi and dedicated on October 28, 1886...
.
Following two years of flying with the Blue Angels Cochran was stationed at the Naval Air Station at Miramar
Marine Corps Air Station Miramar
Marine Corps Air Station Miramar , formerly Naval Air Station Miramar is a United States Marine Corps installation that is home to the 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing, which is the aviation element of the 1st Marine Expeditionary Force...
. Next Cochran joined the "Bounty Hunters" of fighter squadron 2 (VF-2) while the squadron was deployed aboard the carrier USS Ranger (CV-61). He attended the Air War College
Air War College
The Air War College is a part of the United States Air Force's Air University, headquartered at Maxwell Air Force Base in Montgomery, Alabama. Air University's higher headquarters is Air Education and Training Command headquartered at Randolph Air Force Base, San Antonio, Texas. The Air War...
in Montgomery, Alabama
Montgomery, Alabama
Montgomery is the capital of the U.S. state of Alabama, and is the county seat of Montgomery County. It is located on the Alabama River southeast of the center of the state, in the Gulf Coastal Plain. As of the 2010 census, Montgomery had a population of 205,764 making it the second-largest city...
and during this time earned a masters degree in Human Resource Management from Troy State University. Following this Cochran reported to Fighter Squadron 1 (VF-1)
VF-1
This article is about the fighter squadron; for the mecha seen in Macross/Robotech, see VF-1 Valkyrie.Fighter Squadron 1 was a fighter squadron of the United States Navy. Known as the "Wolfpack" the squadron saw combat during World War II, the Vietnam War and Operation Desert Storm...
in March 1992 as Executive Officer. He took command of that same squadron in July 1993. When VF-1 was disestablished in September 1993, he became the commander of Fighter Squadron 111 (VF-111)
VF-111
Fighter Squadron 111 , also known as the Sundowners, was the designation held by two U.S. Navy fighter squadrons from 1942 to 1995. The first squadron, initially designated VF-11, served as an active Pacific Fleet Fighter Squadron until its disestablishment in 1959. At that time, another squadron...
known as the "Sun Downers".
Savannah State University
Savannah State University is a four-year, state-supported, historically black university located in Savannah, Georgia. Savannah State holds the distinction as the oldest public historically black university in Georgia...
dedicated a memorial on the university's campus in honor of Cochran. The memorial contains an A4 jet painted in the Blue Angel's traditional colors of blue and gold and memorial plaque with the inscription:
- A second plaque was later added which bears the inscription:
In 1994, Cochran, was called to replace Commander Robert E. Stumpf, the Blue Angels' commanding officer, who had been grounded (placed in a no flying status) as a result of the "Tailhook Scandal
Tailhook Association
The Tailhook Association is a U.S.-based, fraternal, non-profit organization, supporting the interests of sea-based aviation, with emphasis on aircraft carriers...
."
By 1995, Cochran had accumulated more than 4,350 total flight hours in seven (7) different types of naval aircraft and completed 570 carrier landings. During his tours as a Blue Angel pilot, he flew over 2,200 hours in more than 300 air shows before over 30 million spectators throughout the United States and Canada.
In September 1995, while Commanding Officer of the Blue Angels, then Commander Cochran "grounded" himself and cancelled a performance at Naval Air Station Oceana for what he called "flaws in his flying." On May 26, 1996, Cochran resigned as the Blues Commanding Officer, citing loss of confidence in his own flying. He said at the time, "I can hold my head high. I have not crashed any airplanes, none of my pilots have crashed an airplane, none of my pilots have been hurt."
Captain Cochran served as the Commanding Officer of the NROTC Unit at Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University (FAMU) from August 1996 until July 1999.
During his final assignment he served as the Deputy Commander, Navy Recruiting Command, second in command of over 7,000 people at over 1,500 locations around the nation and abroad. Captain Cochran retired from the U.S. Navy with over 24 years of aviation experience.
Education
Cochran earned a Civil Engineering degree from Savannah State CollegeSavannah State University
Savannah State University is a four-year, state-supported, historically black university located in Savannah, Georgia. Savannah State holds the distinction as the oldest public historically black university in Georgia...
now known as Savannah State University
Savannah State University
Savannah State University is a four-year, state-supported, historically black university located in Savannah, Georgia. Savannah State holds the distinction as the oldest public historically black university in Georgia...
, Savannah, Georgia
Savannah, Georgia
Savannah is the largest city and the county seat of Chatham County, in the U.S. state of Georgia. Established in 1733, the city of Savannah was the colonial capital of the Province of Georgia and later the first state capital of Georgia. Today Savannah is an industrial center and an important...
in 1976 where he was a member of the NROTC program. He is also a graduate of the Air War College
Air War College
The Air War College is a part of the United States Air Force's Air University, headquartered at Maxwell Air Force Base in Montgomery, Alabama. Air University's higher headquarters is Air Education and Training Command headquartered at Randolph Air Force Base, San Antonio, Texas. The Air War...
in Montgomery, Alabama
Montgomery, Alabama
Montgomery is the capital of the U.S. state of Alabama, and is the county seat of Montgomery County. It is located on the Alabama River southeast of the center of the state, in the Gulf Coastal Plain. As of the 2010 census, Montgomery had a population of 205,764 making it the second-largest city...
and earned a masters degree in Human Resource Management from Troy State University.