Marine Corps Maj. Scott Laux has been removed from the U.S. Navy's Blue Angels flight demonstration team for failing to meet the standards expected of squadron members. The decision has attracted additional attention after the official Blue Angels website also stopped displaying the biography of Marine Capt. Danielle Cribb, the team's public affairs officer.
The Navy confirmed Laux's removal on November 6, 2026, but has not explained the specific circumstances behind the decision. Meanwhile, Cribb's disappearance from the squadron's website has raised questions about a possible personnel change, although officials have not confirmed that she was dismissed or that her situation is connected to Laux.
Why Was Scott Laux Removed From the Blue Angels?
Laux served as Blue Angel No. 6, the opposing solo pilot responsible for performing high-speed passes and precision maneuvers alongside the team's lead solo pilot.
On November 6, the Chief of Naval Air Training (CNATRA) confirmed that Laux had been removed from the Navy Flight Demonstration Squadron.
In its statement, the Navy said he was removed for "failing to uphold the standards expected of members of the Navy Flight Demonstration Squadron" and would not participate in the team's remaining performances of the 2026 season.
Officials did not identify the specific standards involved or explain whether the decision followed a disciplinary matter, performance concerns, or an investigation. They also did not disclose exactly when the decision was made.
Laux was subsequently absent from the Blue Angels' annual homecoming air show at Naval Air Station Pensacola, Florida, on November 6 and 7. The team performed with five aircraft instead of its usual six, adjusting its demonstration without the No. 6 pilot.
Who Is Marine Maj. Scott Laux?
Scott Laux is a Marine Corps aviator from Chantilly, Virginia, who graduated from the United States Naval Academy in 2012 with a bachelor's degree in Chinese.
After completing Marine officer training and flight school, he earned his naval aviator wings in 2015. He subsequently flew F/A-18 Hornets with Marine fighter-attack squadrons, serving at Marine Corps Air Station Miramar in California and participating in deployments aboard the aircraft carrier USS Nimitz.
Before joining the Blue Angels, Laux had accumulated more than 1,300 flight hours and 169 carrier landings, according to his former squadron biography.
His assignments with the Blue Angels included:
- September 2024: Joined the Blue Angels as a demonstration pilot.
- 2025: Served as the team's narrator.
- 2026: Became the No. 6 opposing solo pilot.
The opposing solo position requires precise coordination, timing, and extensive flight experience. Its demonstrations include head-on crossing passes and other high-speed maneuvers designed to showcase the capabilities of the aircraft and the pilots.
Danielle Cribb's Blue Angels Profile Also Disappears
Attention surrounding Laux's departure increased after aviation enthusiasts noticed that the Blue Angels website no longer displayed the profile of Marine Capt. Danielle Cribb, the squadron's public affairs officer.
Cribb joined the Blue Angels in September 2025. Her responsibilities included media relations, public communications, and coordinating information about the demonstration team's activities.
According to an investigation by The Aviationist, archived versions of the Blue Angels website showed Cribb's biography in an August 7, 2026 snapshot but not in an October 16 snapshot.
This establishes that her profile disappeared sometime between those archived versions. However, it does not establish when she stopped serving with the squadron or whether she was reassigned.
As of November 9, 2026, the Navy had not publicly explained the disappearance of her biography or announced that she had been removed from her position.
Who Is Marine Capt. Danielle Cribb?
Danielle Cribb is a Marine Corps officer originally from Charleston, South Carolina, who grew up in Beaufort. She enlisted in the Marine Corps in 2012 and initially worked in aviation operations.
During her enlisted career, she served with Marine aviation units and deployed to Japan and Qatar, supporting aviation operations and combat mission planning.
In 2017, Cribb was selected for the Marine Enlisted Commissioning Education Program. She attended The Citadel, graduating with bachelor's degrees in English and criminal justice, before receiving her commission as a Marine officer in 2021.
She subsequently completed specialized communication training and earned the military occupational specialty associated with communication strategy and operations.
Before joining the Blue Angels, Cribb served as director of communication strategy and operations at Marine Corps Air Station Beaufort, overseeing media relations and public engagement.
She joined the Blue Angels in September 2025 as the squadron's public affairs officer. Her military decorations include three Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medals, three Good Conduct Medals, and multiple unit awards.
What Was the Relationship Between Scott Laux and Danielle Cribb?
One detail attracting attention is the professional relationship between Laux and Cribb.
The two were photographed together at a Pensacola Blue Wahoos minor league baseball game in April 2026. During the event, Laux presented Cribb with an award recognizing her promotion.
A social media post accompanying the photograph described Laux as Cribb's mentor.
The reported mentoring relationship has prompted speculation about whether their respective website removals might be connected. However, a professional relationship does not establish that the two personnel changes resulted from the same circumstances.
Neither the Navy nor the Marine Corps has publicly confirmed a connection between Laux's removal and Cribb's missing biography.
July Pensacola Beach Flyover Controversy
Another development involving Laux occurred in July 2026, when the Blue Angels conducted a low-altitude flyover over Pensacola Beach, Florida.
The demonstration generated complaints after the aircraft passed close to the shoreline, sending sand into the air and causing beach equipment, including tents, chairs, and umbrellas, to move.
Laux publicly defended the team's flying demonstrations in an interview following the incident, emphasizing that the squadron intended to continue performing while maintaining safety.
The flyover also attracted political attention. Acting Navy Secretary Hung Cao defended the demonstration, while Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth publicly expressed support for the team's performances.
However, the Navy has not stated that the July flyover contributed to Laux's subsequent removal. There is no publicly established connection between the incident and the November personnel decision.
What Has the Navy Confirmed About the Personnel Changes?
The available information points to two separate developments involving the Blue Angels.
The first is Laux's confirmed removal from the demonstration squadron. The Navy explicitly cited his failure to uphold the standards expected of team members, but did not disclose further details.
The second is Cribb's missing biography from the official website. Although archived website records establish that her profile disappeared between August and October 2026, her employment status and the reason for its removal remain unclear.
For now, there is insufficient public evidence to conclude that Cribb was dismissed, that either officer was involved in misconduct, or that the two developments are related.
The Blue Angels have not provided a detailed explanation of the personnel changes. Until military officials release additional information, the circumstances surrounding Laux's removal and Cribb's missing profile remain unresolved.
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