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JBSA News
NEWS | Nov. 1, 2015

Thunderbirds enlist recruits at JBSA Air Show and Open House

Joint Base San Antonio-Randolph Public Affairs

More than 50 recruits from south Texas participated in an enlistment ceremony performed by the U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds during the 2015 Joint Base San Antonio Air Show and Open House Oct. 31 at JBSA-Randolph.

 

Lt. Col. Christopher Hammond, U.S. Air Force Air Demonstration Squadron commander and Thunderbird #1, led the ceremony before taking to the skies for Thunderbirds’ performance.

 

“The people you see behind me are about to take an oath to defend the Constitution of the United States,” Hammond said. “And in doing so, they make a promise to defend our way of life.”

 

Not only do the Thunderbirds perform aerial demonstrations during air shows, they also visit local schools and hospitals, hold enlistment ceremonies and conduct other media engagement in order to tell the Air Force story. 

 

Performing the oath of enlistment during air shows is a way for the public to see the future Airmen and learn more about the Air Force.

 

“It’s really incredible to see my son enlist and I’m extremely proud of him,” Michelle Langford said after the enlistment ceremony that included her son.

 

Recruits like Anthony Langford from Lockhart, Texas have the opportunity to carry on a family tradition.

 

“My great grandfather was in the Royal Air Force, my grandparents and my mother were also in the Air Force and it feels amazing to be a part of this event,” Langford said.

 

For more information about joining the Air Force visit http://www.airforce.com/joining-the-air-force/enlisted-overview/. For more information about the Thunderbirds visit http://www.afthunderbirds.com.