Thomas Frosch
Commander, U.S. Navy
Flight Leader / Commanding Officer, U.S. Navy Blue Angels

Thomas Frosch is a native of Clinton Township, MI, and graduated from Fraser High School in 1988, where he lettered in football.

He attended the U.S. Naval Academy in Annapolis, MD, where he also lettered in football, graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in Engineering in 1992, and was commissioned an Ensign in the U.S. Navy.

Tom reported to Naval Air Station (NAS) Pensacola, FL, for aviation indoctrination in March 1993. He completed primary flight training in the T-34C Turbo Mentor at NAS Corpus Christi, TX, and completed advanced flight training in the T-45 Goshawk at NAS Kingsville, TX. He received his wings of gold in March 1995.

Frosch then reported to Strike Fighter Squadron 106 (VFA-106), the "Gladiators," at NAS Cecil Field, FL, for initial training in the F/A-18 Hornet. In June 1996, Tom reported to Strike Fighter Squadron 87(VFA-87), the "Golden Warriors," also at NAS Cecil Field, where he served as the Avionics/Armament Division Officer, Legal Officer, Administration Officer, Training Officer, and Landing Signals Officer (LSO). He completed a Mediterranean Sea and Arabian Gulf deployment with the USS John F. Kennedy (CV 67) and flew in support of Operation Southern Watch, as well as a deployment with the USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN 71) where he flew in support of Operation Allied Force in Kosovo and Operation Southern Watch in Iraq. While serving with the Golden Warriors, he was named the 1999 Strike Fighter Wing Atlantic Pilot of the Year.

In July 1999, Frosch was selected to attend the U.S. Naval Test Pilot School at NAS Patuxent River, MD. He graduated in December 2000 and reported to Naval Strike Aircraft Test Squadron 23 (VX-23) also stationed at NAS Patuxent River. He served as a test pilot with the Ordnance Support Team, an LSO, and Avionics/Armament Division Officer.

He returned to the fleet in January 2003 as a Department Head for Strike Fighter Squadron 192 (VFA-192), the "World Famous Golden Dragons," stationed at Naval Air Facility (NAF) Atsugi, Japan, where he served as Safety Officer, Operations Officer, and Maintenance Officer. While assigned to VFA-192, Tom deployed with the USS Kitty Hawk (CV 63) and flew in support of Operations Southern Watch and Iraqi Freedom.

Frosch attended the Naval War College in Newport, RI, in August 2005, where he earned a Master of Arts degree in National Security and Strategic Studies, then reported to NATO at Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe (SHAPE) in Casteau, Belgium. During his tour, he deployed as an Individual Augmentee with the NATO International Security Assistance Force to Kabul, Afghanistan.

Tom reported as Executive Officer of Strike Fighter Squadron 146 (VFA-146), the "Blue Diamonds," stationed at NAS Lemoore, CA, in May 2009. He commanded the "Blue Diamonds" through a work-up cycle and Western Pacific/Arabian Gulf deployment with the USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76) in support of Operation Enduring Freedom.

CDR Frosch joined the Blue Angels as Commanding Officer in November 2012. He has more than 3,300 flight hours and 830 carrier arrested landings.

Medals, Awards & Badges

Defense Meritorious Service Medal
Meritorious Service Medal with Gold Star
Air Medal with Combat Valor Device (Six Strike Flight) and Gold Star
Navy Commendation Medal with 2 Gold Stars, one with Combat Valor Device
Naval Aviator Badge

He also has numerous unit, campaign, and service awards.