Lieutenant Ben Walborn is a native of Reading, Pennsylvania and graduated from
The Hill School in 1997 where he lettered in soccer and lacrosse. He attended the United States Naval Academy earning a Bachelor
of Science in Political Science in 2001, and was commissioned an Ensign in the U.S. Navy.
Ben reported to Naval Air Station (NAS) Pensacola for aviation indoctrination in November 2001. He completed primary flight training in the
T-34C Mentor in Corpus Christi, TX and transferred to NAS Meridian for intermediate and advanced flight training in the T-2C Buckeye and
T-45C Goshawk. He received his wings of gold in April 2004.
In May 2004, Ben reported to Strike Fighter Squadron 122 (VFA-122) in Lemoore, CA for initial training in the F/A-18E/F Super Hornet.
In January 2005, he reported to the VFA-27 “Royal Maces” stationed in Atsugi, Japan. While assigned to VFA-27, Ben completed multiple
Western Pacific deployments onboard the USS Kitty Hawk. He also participated in several multilateral international exercises with South Korean,
Thai, Republic of Singapore, Japanese and Australian Marine, Naval and Air Forces. While with the “Royal Maces,” Ben served as Public Affairs Officer,
Schedules Officer, Aircraft Division Officer, Air to Air Weapons and Tactics Officer, Assistant Operations Officer and Landing Signals Officer and
contributed to the “Royal Maces” receiving the 2005 and 2006 Battle “E” for sustained superior performance in an operational environment.
In January 2008, Ben received orders back to VFA-122. While serving as an Instructor Pilot with the “Flying Eagles,” he served as the Assistant
Intelligence Officer and Landing Signals Officer.
Ben joined the Blue Angels in September 2008. He has accumulated more than 1400 hours and 346 carrier arrested landings. His decorations include two
Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medals and various personal and unit awards.
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