Lackland Air Force Base, Texas –
Lackland AirFest 2006, scheduled for Nov. 4 and 5, headlines the Air Force Thunderbirds, which includes the first female demonstration pilot in the 52-year history of the elite aerial demonstration team.
The Thunderbirds perform both days at 2:30 p.m. at Kelly Field. The team is comprised of eight pilots, six of whom are demonstration pilots; four support officers; four civilians; and about 120 enlisted Airmen in more than 29 career specialties.
A Thunderbirds' demonstration is a mix of six aircraft performing formation flying and solo routines. The four-aircraft diamond formation demonstrates the training and precision of Air Force pilots, while the solos highlight the maximum capabilities of the F-16 Fighting Falcon.
The team's first performance was June 8, 1953, at Luke AFB, Ariz. Since then, the Thunderbirds have flown for more than 310 million people at 3,944 air demonstrations in all 50 states and more than 60 foreign countries.
The AirFest is free and open to the general public. Gates open at 9 a.m. both days. For more information, go to www.lackland.af.mil/airshow.
(Information courtesy of Air Combat Command News Service.)