John Hiltz
Lieutenant Commander, U.S. Navy
Right Wing, U.S. Navy Blue Angels

John Hiltz is a native of Fort Mitchell, KY, and graduated as salutatorian from Covington Catholic High School in 1998 where he lettered in basketball. He attended the University of Notre Dame, South Bend, IN, where he played basketball, and graduated Cum Laude with a Bachelor of Science degree in Civil Engineering in May 2002. He received his commission through the Naval Reserve Officers Training Corps Program.

Hiltz reported to Naval Air Station (NAS) Pensacola, FL, for aviation indoctrination in July 2002. He completed primary flight training in the T-34C Mentor at NAS Corpus Christi, TX, and transferred to NAS Meridian, MS, for intermediate and advanced flight training in the T-2C Buckeye and the T-45C Goshawk. He received his wings of gold in August 2005.

John then reported to Strike Fighter Squadron 122 (VFA-122), the "Flying Eagles," at NAS Lemoore, CA, for initial training in the F/A-18E/F Super Hornet. In August 2006, he reported to Strike Fighter Squadron 154 (VFA-154), the "Black Knights," at NAS Lemoore, where he served as the Aviation Electronics Technician Branch Officer, Mission Planning Officer, Public Affairs Officer, Morale Officer, Avionics/Armament Division Officer, Forward Air Controller (FAC-A), and Landing Signals Officer (LSO). While assigned to VFA-154, John completed two deployments aboard USS John C. Stennis (CVN 74) and flew in support of Operations Enduring Freedom and Iraqi Freedom. He also participated in the multilateral international exercises Valiant Shield, Foal Eagle, and Northern Edge.

John reported to Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 101 (VMFAT-101), the "Sharpshooters," at Marine Corps Air Station (MCAS) Miramar, CA, in December 2009 for transition to the F/A-18C/D Hornet. While serving as an instructor pilot with the "Sharpshooters," he served as Schedules Officer, Assistant Transition Phase Head, T-34C Mentor pilot, FAC-A, and LSO.

LCDR Hiltz joined the Blue Angels in September 2011 and served as the Right Wing pilot in 2012 and 2013. He has accumulated more than 2,300 flight hours and has 320 carrier arrested landings.

Medals, Awards & Badges