JOINT BASE SAN ANTONIO-RANDOLPH, Texas –
Becky Hammon, NBA assistant coach for the San Antonio Spurs,
flew with the U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds aerial demonstration team Oct. 29 at
Joint Base San Antonio-Randolph.
This once in a lifetime opportunity provides candidates like
Hammon to experience the high-performing capabilities of an F-16 Fighting
Falcon.
Prior to her flight, Hammon was given safety training and a
pre-flight health screening.
“The flight was obviously amazing, and it was a once in a
lifetime opportunity,” Hammon said. “It’s amazing to be going at that speed.”
Hammon witnessed firsthand the professionalism, dedication
and pride that the Thunderbirds possess.
“If our team messes up, we give up two points. If their team
messes up, it could be someone’s life,” Hammon said.
She said she felt safe as she flew above the skies over JBSA
Randolph. She believes that the team work and communication skills were the key
to the “perfect” flight.
The Thunderbirds are scheduled to perform at 3 p.m. Oct. 31
and Nov. 1 at the 2015 JBSA Air Show and Open House at JBSA-Randolph.
Also known as “America’s Ambassadors in Blue,” the
Thunderbirds have been the Air Force’s demonstration team since 1953. The team is comprised of nearly 130 Airmen
who travel around the country from February to March performing aerial demonstrations
at air shows, visit local schools and hospitals, hosting enlistment ceremonies
and engaging with media and the community in order to spread the Air Force’s
story.
“She (Hammon) did amazing, she pulled 9.4 Gs,” Maj. Scott
Petz, U.S.
Air Force Air Demonstration Squadron advance pilot/narrator and Thunderbird #8
said.
Hammon was able to see the Thunderbirds’ team work and what
they represent and she was able to embrace that, he said.
For more information about the Thunderbirds and the 2015
JBSA Air Show and Open House, visit www.jbsa.mil