SEATTLE — Major Josh Soltan of the U.S. Marine Corps will be performing his third and final airshow with the Blue Angels at Seafair this weekend, to a crowd of thousands of onlookers - including friends and family.
Soltan is originally from Spokane and spent time in western Washington as a child while his father was stationed at Joint Base Lewis McChord.
"I think most of the family is going to show up," Soltan said. "I couldn't tell you how many, probably 15 to 20 of my family members are going to show up, come down, show a little bit of support."
Soltan will be flying Fat Albert, a C-130J that performs for about 10 minutes of the Blue Angels' show. Soltan said piloting the aircraft has been a major challenge, and learning opportunity.
"Being able to max perform this aircraft within a 10-minute window and staying in front of the crowd and just trying to be as precise as I probably can has been a huge challenge for my aviation career, and maturity for that matter," Soltan said. "It's really kind of pushed me to be the best aviator that I possibly can and I really hope I inspire the next generation of aviators, because we're not doing it forever."
Soltan himself was inspired by the Blue Angels when his father would take him to Seafair airshows as a child.
"We would watch the jets fly over the top of Lake Washington, and I was always inspired by those guys," he said. "Just seeing them in their blue suits, their professionalism, I think that kind of set me on the course that I have right now."
Soltan said he's honored to be part of the Blue Angels team, and specifically to be flying Fat Albert.
"I come from a long legacy since 1970 of other marines that have flown this aircraft, and I just - I'm very happy to be able to continue on that legacy going forward with the success of the team."
Check out the Blue Angels' Seafair schedule below:
Friday, Aug. 2:
11:10 a.m. - U.S. Army Golden Knights
1:05 p.m. - U.S. Navy EA-18G Growler
1:35 p.m. - U.S. Air Force C17
1:50 p.m. - U.S. Air Force F35A
2:15 p.m. - PBY-5A Catalina
2:30 p.m. - U.S. Coast Guard Search and Rescue Demo
2:40 p.m. - Boeing Air Show
3:10 p.m. - Marines F35B
3:35 p.m. - U.S. Navy Blue Angels
Saturday, Aug. 3:
10:50 a.m. - Boeing Air Show
11 a.m. - PBY-5A Catalina
11:15 a.m.- U.S. Coast Guard Search and Rescue
11:55 a.m.- U.S. Army Golden Knights
1 p.m. - U.S. Navy EA-18G Growler
1:30 p.m. - U.S. Air Force C17
1:45 p.m. - U.S. Air Force F35A
3:10 p.m. - U.S. Marines F35B
3:35 p.m. - U.S. Navy Blue Angels
Sunday, Aug. 4:
11:10 a.m. – U.S. Coast Guard Search and Rescue
Noon – U.S. Army Golden Knights
1 p.m. - U.S. Navy EA-18G Growler
1:30 p.m. - U.S. Air Force C17
1:45 p.m. - U.S. Air Force F35A
2:10 p.m. - PBY-5A Catalina
3:05 p.m. - Boeing Flyover
3:10 p.m. - U.S. Marines F35B
3:35 p.m. - US Navy Blue Angels
About 11 million spectators watch the Blue Angels, which are active-duty Navy or Marine Corps pilots, during air shows each year. They perform across the country from March through November.
Viewers can watch live coverage of the air show and hydro races on KONG TV and the streaming app KING 5+ on Sunday, Aug. 4 from noon-5 p.m.