Blue Angels pilot credits CWU aviation program with setting him up for success

In the world of aviation, every flight is a testament to dedication, skill, and the pursuit of excellence.

For Central Washington University alumnus Joshua Soltan, flying with the U.S. Navy Blue Angels for the past three years represents the culmination of a lifelong dream.

The 2010 graduate fondly recalls the pivotal role Central played in shaping his aviation career.

“CWU provided me with a diverse and challenging environment to grow personally, away from larger city distractions,” Soltan reminisces. “Smaller class sizes further allowed me more one-on-one time with professors and to gain from their experiences.”

Furthermore, Soltan says the weather in Ellensburg helped him prepare for his future. The winters gave him experience dealing with the cold and snowfall and the dry summers exposed him to conditions similar to the arid desert regions.

“All these experiences translated well as the Marine KC-130J aircraft can travel long distances around the world through the quickly changing climates,” says Soltan, who joined the Blue Angels in 2021 and began performing during the 2022 Air Show season. “In short, it gave me a well-rounded foundation to be set up for success.”

Since earning his degree, Soltan's aviation career has been everything he worked so hard for and more. From earning his Wings of Gold as a Naval Aviator to serving as a Blue Angel C-130J demonstration pilot, his journey has taken him to the far reaches of the globe.

As a Blue Angel, he represents more than 800,000 active-duty, reserve, and civilian men and women currently serving worldwide in the Navy and Marine Corps.

“Many of my friends are serving and working very hard around the clock, and it is my job now to represent them. I can’t let them down,” Soltan says. “All too often, my fellow fleet aviators’ families never get a chance to see what the C-130 can do, and they have voiced their happiness with seeing their aircraft perform for their families. Their kids ask, ‘… is that what you do when you leave home for a deployment?’ and I think it creates a bit of understanding for service member families to know how challenging it is.”

Soltan has traveled to 64 Air Show locations to date, performing for approximately 12 million spectators over the past two years, and he will add to this number this summer. Performing in his home state at Seattle’s annual Seafair event in August holds a special place in his heart.

“I grew up watching the Seafair air show and the boat races,” says Soltan, who grew up in Spokane. “To know I am performing for my family and friends over the same area years later is particularly special and a privilege.”

Always remembering his Washington roots, Soltan recently reached out to CWU and offered to donate several items of Blue Angels memorabilia to the aviation department.

At the end of this season, Soltan will donate a flight suit, hat/cover, flight gloves, and sunglasses to Central, where it will be put on display in the aviation department.

“I hope to inspire the next aviators to never stop searching out the next ‘thing’ that inspires them to achieve the best form of themselves,” he explains. “I expect one day they will realize the same thing that I have and go inspire those that have yet experienced what aviation can present to them.”

Once Soltan completes his service with the Blue Angels later this year, he will return to the fleet forces as an instructor pilot and focus on leadership positions within the Fleet Marine Forces. He also aspires to return to school to possibly pursue an engineering degree or a master’s in aviation.

When Soltan completes his military career, he plans to pursue his Airline Transport Pilot (ATP) certificate and transition to the airline community. The ATP certificate is the highest level of pilot certificate and is regarded in the industry as a significant achievement.

To aspiring aviators with dreams of flying with the Blue Angels, Soltan offers sage advice.

“Have a desire to serve the country in the Armed Forces and then apply for either the Navy or Marine Corps pilot programs,” he says. “Keep that same dedication and determination you found at CWU and continue to build it into your military career at each opportunity. Always be learning, as the aviation career is a dedication to being a student for life and of life. Don’t forget to have some fun along the way, too; flying is truly the ultimate freedom of life.”