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Flight of Thunderbirds
1st of July, 2007, Graf Ignatievo AB - Part of Thunderbirds European Tour 2007
Thunderbirds is the name of the United States Air Force Demonstration Squadron. On July 1st, 2007 they made a magnificent show at Graf Ignatievo Air Force Base, near Plovdiv. That was their second visit to Bulgaria. Their first one was back in 1996, when performed at Krumovo Air Force Base.
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Birth date of the Air Force's official air demonstration team was on May 25th, 1953, designated the 3600th Air Demonstration Unit, at Luke Air Force Base, Arizona. Soon the name 'Thunderbirds' was adopted by the unit. It was influenced by the Indian culture the southwestern United States where Luke is located. To some the Thunderbird was a giant eagle, others envisioned a hawk. When it took to the skies, the earth trembled from the thunder of its wings. From its eyes shot bolts of lightning. Nothing in nature could challenge the bird of thunder, the story said, and no man could stand against its might. The first aircraft of the new demonstration team was the straight wing F-84G Thunderjet soon replaced by the swept wing F-84F Thunderstreak. It was later replaced by the F-100 Super Sabre in 1956. Also a new home was chosen - the Nellis Air Force Base, Nevada. Next planes were the F-105B Thunderchief, the F-4E Phantom II, the T-38A Talon. In 1983, the team returned to the tradition of flying a premier fighter aircraft transitioning to the F-16A Fighting Falcon. This is the type of aircraft still in use today, but the A model was replaced by the C and D models. Thunderbird's mission statement says: "The United States Air Force Air Demonstration Squadron plans and presents precision aerial maneuvers to exhibit the capabilities of modern high performance aircraft and the high degree of professional skill required to operate those aircraft." Thunderbirds have flown more than 4,000 shows touring the United States and much of the world and are often called America’s “Ambassadors in Blue.” 2003 marked the team’s 50th anniversary. |
Thunderbirds we saw at Graf Ignatievo were: Flying Thunderbird No.1 Lt. Col. Kevin Robbins (Commander/Leader); Flying Thunderbird No.2 Major Chris Austin (Left Wing); Flying Thunderbird No.3 Major Nicole Malachowski (Right Wing); Flying Thunderbird No.4 Major William Poteet (Slot); Flying Thunderbird No.5 Major Ed Casey (Lead Solo); Flying Thunderbird No.6 Major Samantha Weeks (Opposing Solo); Flying Thunderbird No.7 Major Richard Skelton (Operations Officer); Flying Thunderbird No.8 Major Tad Clark (Advance Pilot/Narrator); Thunderbird No.9 Major Dan Mirski (Flight Surgeon); Thunderbird No.10 Capt. Amy Glisson (Executive Officer); Thunderbird No.11 Capt. Gifford Ploetz (Maintenance Officer); Thunderbird No.12 Capt. Elizabeth Kreft (Public Affairs Officer).
The show was unfortunately marked by an incident - Thunderbird No.2, Major Chris Austin hit a bird with his plane, but landed safely and continued the performance using one of the spare planes. More than 6,000 spectators watched the show. It was a worth, even in the 35°C heat. An accompanying event - performance of USAFE jazz band 'Check Six' was also worth seeing.
Here are several pictures from the show (click on the thumbnails to have them enlarged).
Thunderbirds' F-16s wait in line for the beginning of the show. |
Thunderbird No. 1 taxis on the ground just before the demo. |
Exactly 3:00 pm - take off. |
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One of the solo performers makes a deep, slow turn. |
Flying low at the traditional Diamond formation. |
Solos in a mirror back-to-back formation. |
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A slow pass in a vertical formation. |
A vertical transition to Diamond formation. |
Demonstrating a flight with maximum attack angle and lowest possible speed. |
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A close view of the formation. |
The end of the performance comes as all planes form up into Delta. |
All planes in an impetuous pass. |
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One of the last loops in Delta. |
Landing near one of the MIG-29s on duty. |
Yet another landing near the rescue helicopter. |
1 - 16 Jul 2007