NAVAL AIR FACILITY El Centro, Calif. - New Orleans Saints' Pro-Bowl quarterback Drew Brees will soar in an F/A-18 Hornet with the U.S. Navy's Flight Demonstration Squadron next week, as part of the Blue Angels VIP Rider program.

"Annually, the Blue Angels hand-pick approximately 20 influential people who credibly represent the Navy's core values of Honor, Courage and Commitment," said Lt. Cmdr. Garrett Kasper, the squadron's spokesman. "Drew Brees was atop our list of people we pursued this year for this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. Not only were Drew and his team of NFC Division Champions an inspiration to millions of people along the Gulf Coast this season, but he's an extremely generous and caring professional who dedicates much of his time and money to his foundation that aids cancer research and provides scholarships for future leaders."

As international ambassadors of goodwill, the Blue Angels are an integral part of the Navy and Marine Corps recruiting and retention program. By publicly demonstrating the skills and abilities of naval aviators, they help attract many talented and ambitious young people to a career in the armed forces, while also reinforcing the pride, professionalism and teamwork found in the Navy and Marine Corps to millions of Americans each year. Therefore, rare celebrity orientation flights greatly enhance this effort through the positive media exposure it generates.

Brees' 45-minute familiarization flight will be a single-aircraft sortie and is designed for his exhilaration as he and Blue Angel #7, Maj. Nate Miller, will perform a majority of the exciting maneuvers flown by the Blue Angels during their public demonstrations.