LACKLAND AIR FORCE BASE, Texas –
Months of preparation for AirFest 2010 began last week as the Air Force Thunderbirds advance pilot visited Lackland to begin planning for the demonstration team's performances during the air show Nov. 6 - 7.
Maj. Anthony Mulhare landed Air Force Thunderbird #8 on Lackland's Kelly Field flightline Feb. 10. As the team's advance pilot, the major flies to each air demonstration site prior to their scheduled performances to ensure all arrangements are made for the show.
Major Mulhare met with base officials Feb. 11 and discussed air show details including proper coordination with the Federal Aviation Administration and other traffic control agencies, airfield access and crowd control procedures.
"My job is to go to each of the locations that we're going to fly and make sure that the air show, as well as the military community, is set up for success," he said.
For those who have seen a Thunderbirds performance before, Major Mulhare said recent upgrades to the aircraft will add some excitement to the show.
The team will be flying block 52-C F-16s. "That means we have a bigger motor than we've had in the past. It's an additional 5,000 pounds of thrust and there are some maneuvers we'll do to take advantage of that," he said.
"We've got a couple of new sequences we've put together. I won't (say) what those are; I don't want to ruin the surprise."
Lt. Col. Robert Montes, AirFest director, said the theme of this year's air show is "Honoring the past - forging the future."
The show, coinciding with San Antonio's year-long celebration of the 100th anniversary of military flight in Texas, will commemorate and showcase the accomplishments of military aviation with a wide variety of aerial performances and static displays composed of past and present military aircraft.
The air show will also give Lackland an opportunity to share the Air Force story with the public.
"We can't take folks from San Antonio to Bagram Air Base, Afghanistan or Kabul (Afghanistan), but we can bring them to Lackland and (talk to them) about what the Air Force is doing every day overseas," Major Mulhare said.
Colonel Montes said the planning committee has been working diligently laying down the preparatory ground work needed to make the air show a success. They have also been working with various military organizations and San Antonio officials to ensure a safe and memorable experience for the community.
The colonel promises that AirFest 2010 will offer a lot to visitors. "We will have more than 100 aircraft and other displays available for public viewing, including military Warbirds [privately-owned vintage military aircraft], and displays from the Navy, Marines, and Army," he said.
"Most importantly, we will be showcasing the Airmen, facilities and mission of Lackland."