PHOENIX — Ensign Paul Archer has seen the Blue Angels from every angle — especially from inside the cockpit. Now, the Arizona State University grad is behind an all-new documentary on the iconic flight demonstration squadron.
The upcoming documentary feature, “The Blue Angels,” will give audiences across the country an inside look at the lives, duties and intense training these top-tier pilots go through.
Archer is one such pilot. First enlisting in the United States Navy in 2013, Archer quickly rose through the ranks. He graduated from ASU in 2021 while he was actively flying with the Blue Angels.
"While serving on the Blue Angels, I received my bachelor's degree, was selected for chief petty officer and then selected to become a naval officer," added Archer. "Most importantly, I had my two children, Nash, 2 years old, and Shae, 6 months old, with my wife, Mary. The Blue Angels was truly a magical place both professionally and personally."
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As one of the hundreds of naval aviators who flew on the Blue Angels, Archer was chief petty officer in the Blue Angels Public Affairs department during the filming of the documentary.
"My daily duties as a chief petty officer in the Blue Angels Public Affairs department included coordinating media coverage at every air show, providing internal photo and video documentation, designing print and digital products, interacting with the public and so much more," said Archer. "During the filming of the Blue Angels documentary, the public affairs team was directly involved in coordinating filming with the production team and squadron. On a day-to-day basis, we escorted the film crew to the desired locations and worked meticulously to ensure that the Blue Angels' mission was captured in all its glory."
You can see Archer's work in IMAX Theaters on May 17. The documentary will be streaming on Amazon Prime on May 23.
To read more about Archer's story, you can click here to visit the U.S. Navy's outreach and communications site.
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