The U. S. Air Force
Demonstration Squadron, "Thunderbirds" have announced its 2007 air
show schedule, which begins March 24 and runs through Nov. 11. The
team is scheduled to perform more than 68 shows in 21 states and
nine European countries.
The 2007 schedule is as follows:
March
- 24-25 Luke Air Force Base, Ariz.
- 31 Point Mugu Naval Base Ventura County, Calif.
April
- 1 Point Mugu Naval Base Ventura County, Calif.
- 14-15 Eglin AFB, Fla.
- 21-22 Barksdale AFB, La.
- 28-29 Langley AFB, Va.
May
- 5-6 Fort Lauderdale, Fla.
- 12-13 McGuire AFB, N.J.
- 19-20 Andrews AFB, Md.
- 26-27 Wantagh (Jones Beach), N.Y.
- 30 U.S. Air Force Academy, Colo. (Invitation Only)
June
- 2-3 Davenport, Iowa
- 9-10 Sacramento, Calif.
- 16-17 Pittsburgh
- 23-24 Galway, Ireland
- 26 Krzesiny Air Base, Poland
- 28 Mihail Kogalniceanu, Romania
- 30 Ankara, Turkey
July
-
1 Graf Ignatievo,
Bulgaria
- 4 Aviano AB, Italy
- 7- 8 Evreux Field, France
- 14-15 RAF Fairford, U.K.
- 25 Cheyenne, Wyo.
- 28-29 Dayton, Ohio
August
- 11-12 Niagara Falls, N.Y.
- 15 Atlantic City, N.J.
- 18-19 Chicago
- 25-26 Otis Air National Guard Base, Mass.
September
- 1-3 Cleveland
- 8 Minot AFB, N.D.
- 15 Hickam AFB, Hawaii
- 22-23 El Paso, Texas
- 29-30 Columbus, Ohio
October
- 6-7 Pope AFB, N.C.
- 13-14 Miramar Marine Corps Air Station, Calif.
- 20-21 Moody AFB, Ga.
- 27-28 New Orleans
November
- 3-4 NASA Cape Canaveral, Fla.
- 10-11 Nellis AFB, Nev.
"The entire team is excited to announce our schedule for 2007,"
said Lt. Col. Kevin Robbins, Thunderbird No. 1, commander and
leader. "The Thunderbirds' motto is 'Ambassadors in Blue' ... in
the truest sense of those words this year we'll be able to bring
the message of every hard-working Airman to thousands of people
around the world."
The second-year commander said his team is ready to take the
Airman's story abroad.
"We are well aware this is a time of conflict for our nation, yet
it is important to take the time to display the true nature of our
armed forces, both to allies and foes," Colonel Robbins said. "We
look forward to illustrating the dedication, commitment and
humility our Airmen display in their jobs each day, both at home
and overseas."
The Thunderbirds will also commemorate the 60th anniversary of
the Air Force throughout their 2007 season.
"We are representing six decades of air dominance this year,"
Colonel Robbins said. "The Air Force and Thunderbirds of today
uphold the pride and professionalism that millions of Airmen have
displayed for 60 years."
The U.S. Air Force Air Demonstration Squadron is an Air Combat
Command unit composed of eight pilots (including six demonstration
pilots), four support officers, four civilians and about 110
enlisted people performing in more than 29 Air Force
specialties.
The 2007 team includes the world's first female jet
demonstration pilot, Maj. Nicole Malachowski, Thunderbird No. 3,
right wing, in her second year, and the Thunderbirds' first female
solo pilot, Maj. Samantha Weeks, Thunderbird No. 6, opposing solo,
in her first season with the team.
The remaining pilots for the 2007 season include: Maj. Chris
Austin, Thunderbird No. 2, left wing; Maj. Scott Poteet,
Thunderbird No. 4, slot; and Maj. Ed Casey, Thunderbird No. 5, lead
solo.
Rounding out the list of officers are: Maj. Rob Skelton,
Thunderbird No. 7, operations officer; Maj. Tad Clark, Thunderbird
No. 8, advance pilot/narrator; Maj. (Dr.) Dan Mirski, Thunderbird
No. 9, flight surgeon; Capt. Amy Glisson, Thunderbird No. 10,
executive officer; Capt. Giff Ploetz, Thunderbird No. 11,
maintenance officer; and Capt. Elizabeth Kreft, Thunderbird No. 12,
public affairs officer.
A Thunderbirds' aerial demonstration is a mix of formation
flying and solo routines. The pilots perform approximately 40
maneuvers in a demonstration. The entire show, including ground and
air, runs about one hour. The air show season lasts from March to
November, with the winter months used to train new members.
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