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Murphy High School graduate Greg Lloyd does his re-enlistment in a helicopter over Tokyo. “You are discharged, then sign a new contract,” the Navy Blue Angel said.
Murphy While growing up in Cherokee County, Gregory Lewis Lloyd never dreamed of being part of the famous Blue Angels. The 2010 Murphy High School graduate had only briefly considered joining the U.S. military.
About the time he graduated from high school, he spoke with a military recruiter but did not hear back for three years. He attended Western Carolina University, where he first majored in psychology, then changed to business. When he got the call from the military partway through his degree program, he joined.
After several years, he was thinking of leaving to return to college.
“I honestly never set out to become a Blue Angel,” he said. “The stars just happened to align just right. I was actually considering separation from the Navy when I received a phone call that my skill-set was being sought after for this elite team. My professional background in naval aviation and ability to calmly handle stressful situations and tests of leadership.”
He applied, interviewed and had to do something like another boot camp as part of his selection.
Lloyd has been a Blue Angel about a year and a half. During that time, the team was not traveling as much due to COVID-19, but practice maneuvers continued. While the air show schedule is beginning to increase and they will travel more, he is stationed at Pensacola, Fla.
“This is a great team to be a part of and provides a challenge each and every day, so I never feel bored. Some shows have 240,000 people,” he said. “We have 2 million followers on Facebook.”
Lloyd compared the Blue Angels to a NASCAR pit crew.
“We are a small team, and we all know how to do everything for the plane to make the shows work well,” he said.
The pilots fly the jets to the air show, and the rest of the team flies in a C-130, called Fat Albert.
In addition, Lloyd handles logistics and finance for the Blue Angels.
“That pertains to large-scale budget management, upward of $34 million in funds and $73 million in controlled assets,” he said. “As well as coordination of assets to and from the air show to ensure everyone has what they need to perform. It can be as big as aircraft parts or confidential systems to uniform items for the pilots and crew.”
Lloyd has been in the military eight years, five and half of those years overseas. He has been deployed four times and traveled to 19 countries.
“My favorite place was Thailand,” he said. “The dollar conversion was one $1 USD to 46 Thai Baht, so a conversion of $2,000 USD gave me 92,000 in Thai Baht. I had a blast. Did an elephant safari, petted a tiger, tried as many new foods as possible and still had a lot of money left over to convert back. I maybe spent $700 in 30 days. Which on a vacation is pretty solid.”
Lloyd was deployed four times, back to back.
“All of my deployments have either been operational or deterrence, except for one,” he said. “One deployment was a show of force when North Korea made threats to other nations and us.”
For the Blue Angels, deployment is always a possibility because the team is not just for shows.
“We have to be deployed within 72 hours,” Lloyd added. “The pilots are equally trained in combat. During wartime, they are known as Satan’s Kittens.”
Lloyd is torn about whether to continue his military career or leave when his assignment is over.
“I am almost halfway to retirement with full benefits, but I have also had some great job offers,” he added. “I am continuing my education and acquiring as many certifications and licenses as possible, so if the day comes to decide what to do with my career, I’m prepared either way, be it separation and seeking a new adventure or continuing my naval career.”
When asked what advice he would give someone considering joining the military, he replied, “I am not a recruiter by any means so If anyone ever feels the need to talk and ask questions, I am available on Facebook. I can give real up-front answers and advice.
“I will say, however, that as with most things in the life, the military is a challenge and not for everyone. I’ve made some of the best friends life can throw at me, so to each to formulate their own opinions. There will always be a rough patch in calm seas, no matter where you go.”
He is the son of Greg and Brenda Lloyd of Murphy, grandson of Annie Lloyd and the late Simon Lloyd of Hayesville. He also has a younger sister, Talaka Lloyd, and a “very supportive aunt, Beverly Allen.”
His girlfriend, Jordyn Teesateskie, is from Hayesville. After so much travel, Lloyd said would not mind returning someday.
“Small-town life is much better to raise a family,” he said.
Lloyd wanted to end the story by thanking people who have impacted his life and encouraged him to be where he is.
“I would like to mention the late Simon Lloyd, Henry Allen and Lucille Allen, my grandparents. They would be so proud to see me now,” he said with a smile. “Finally, shout out to coach Caesar Campana for an unforgettable athletic experience and Lynn Deweese for always believing in me as well as everyone on staff at Murphy High School and their athletic departments.
“When you get out into the real world, you truly can see how good we have it in this small town. We have a saying, ‘Once a Blue Angel, always a Blue Angel.’ The same goes for a being a Murphy Bulldog.’ ”