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Thunderbirds, Blue Angels both have elite team members from Georgia

ATLANTA — Both squads of elite pilots that flew over Atlanta on Saturday have staff members who hail from Georgia.

Cary Rickoff, of Sandy Springs, is a member of the Blue Angels. Remoshay Nelson, who is from Douglasville, is part of the Thunderbirds squad.

On Saturday, Channel 2′s Mike Petchenik talked to Rickoff’s parents. Rickoff flew in Saturday’s show as the Navy and Air Force elite squads performed over Atlanta to show appreciation for frontline workers.

Rickoff grew up in Sandy Springs and has been flying with the Blue Angels for about 18 months.

[Eyes to the sky: Blue Angels, Thunderbirds fly over metro Atlanta]

“We’re super proud of him, but we’re just proud of the whole effort that all the services are doing to do this flyover,” his mother said.

Rickoff's father said flying is in his blood.

"It started as a passion with his uncle Elliott when he was a youngster, and he got his private pilot’s license when he was at Riverwood High School here in Atlanta," he said.

Rickoff turned his passion into a successful Naval career that included a deployment to the Middle East and a stint as a flight instructor.

Rickoff was chosen to be on the elite squad a year-and-a-half ago after a series of intensive interviews and one-on-one work.

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Rickoff now flies around the country to dazzle crowds every weekend, but his parents say they were especially proud of this mission to thank front-line medical workers.

“They love the flying. They love it, but they’re really proud to be doing what they’re doing for everyone else," Rickoff's mother said.

“We’re looking up and watching them today, but they're trying to bring attention to the people down here on the ground who do such a phenomenal job," Rickoff's father said.

Rickoff was unavailable for an on-camera interview, but told Petchenik via text that it’s an honor for him to have an opportunity to salute those on the front lines of COVID-19.

Nelson was also unavailable Saturday, but the Douglasville native is the public affairs officer for the Thunderbirds.

She graduated from Howard University and joined the Air Force in 2011. This is her first season with the Thunderbirds.