The Blue Angels have removed one of their pilots just days before the team's biggest show of the year. The Navy announced on November 6, 2026, that Marine Corps Maj. Scott Laux, the squadron's No. 6 opposing solo pilot, was removed for "failing to uphold the standards expected of members of the Navy Flight Demonstration Squadron."
Searches for "Scott Laux" and "Blue Angels pilot removed" surged after the news broke, as fans tried to find out what happened ahead of the homecoming airshow in Pensacola.
What the Navy Said
The statement came from Naval Air Training Command (CNATRA) public affairs, which oversees the Blue Angels. It said Laux was removed for failing to uphold the standards expected of squadron members.
So far, officials have not said:
- When the decision was made.
- Whether it is connected to a disciplinary matter or an investigation.
- Who will fly the No. 6 position in the future.
Laux's photo and biography were also removed from the Blue Angels' official website.
Who Is Scott Laux?
Before joining the Blue Angels, Laux built a long career as a Marine Corps fighter pilot.
- Hometown: Chantilly, Virginia.
- Education: Graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy in 2012 with a degree in Chinese.
- Flight career: Earned his wings in 2015 and flew the F/A-18 Hornet with Marine fighter-attack squadrons, including at Marine Corps Air Station Miramar and on deployment aboard the aircraft carrier USS Nimitz.
- Experience: His team biography listed more than 1,300 flight hours and 169 carrier landings.
His Time With the Blue Angels
Laux's path through the squadron was typical of how the team develops its pilots:
- 2024: Joined the Blue Angels as a pilot.
- 2025: Served as the team's narrator.
- 2026: Moved into the No. 6 jet, the opposing solo position, which flies many of the show's most dramatic head-on passes.
He also flew during this fall's San Francisco Fleet Week performances.
The Homecoming Airshow
The removal came right before the Blue Angels Homecoming Air Show at Naval Air Station Pensacola, Florida, held November 6 and 7, 2026. The homecoming show is the season's final performance and a major event for the team's home base.
According to the Pensacola News Journal, which first reported the removal, the team flew the first day of the show with only five jets instead of the usual six. A six-jet demonstration depends on precise timing between the diamond formation and the two solo pilots, so losing one jet changes the routine.
What Does the No. 6 Pilot Do?
The Blue Angels fly six jets in their demonstration. Jets No. 1 through 4 fly in the famous tight diamond formation, led by the commanding officer in the No. 1 jet. Jets No. 5 and No. 6 are the solo pilots. The No. 5 lead solo and the No. 6 opposing solo perform high-speed maneuvers, including passes that appear to come head-on toward each other at show center. These are some of the most demanding and crowd-pleasing parts of any Blue Angels show.
The team, founded in 1946 and based at NAS Pensacola, flies the Boeing F/A-18 Super Hornet.
How Rare Is This?
Blue Angels pilots are selected from among the best aviators in the Navy and Marine Corps, and the squadron is known for strict standards both in the air and on the ground. Removals in the middle of a season are uncommon, which is why this one has drawn so much attention. The team has replaced members for performance or conduct concerns in the past, but the Navy rarely shares details.
What Happens Next for the Blue Angels
With the 2026 season ending in Pensacola, the team now moves into its winter training period. New team members typically rotate in each year, and the squadron trains over the winter before the next season begins in the spring. The Navy has not said who will fill the No. 6 slot for 2027.
Where to Find Updates
Because the Navy has given only a brief statement, more details may come out in the coming days. The best sources for official information are the Blue Angels' website and the Navy's public affairs offices. Be careful with rumors on social media, since no official explanation beyond the standards statement has been released.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why was Scott Laux removed from the Blue Angels?
The Navy said he was removed for "failing to uphold the standards expected" of squadron members. It has not shared further details.
What position did Scott Laux fly?
He flew the No. 6 jet, the opposing solo, during the 2026 season.
Did the Blue Angels still perform at the homecoming airshow?
Yes. The team flew the first day of the Pensacola homecoming show with five jets.