Posted on June 23, 2010 by Fighter Country
The Air Force Air Demonstration Squadron, commonly known as the Thunderbirds, have announced incoming officer selections for the 2011 demonstration season. “Each person and position is carefully selected based on the individual’s record of performance, capabilities in their particular field and a demonstrated commitment to excellence that matches the Airmen we represent every day,” said Lt. Col. Case Cunningham, the squadron commander/leader and Thunderbird No. 1, in an Air Force news release. Pilots selected for the team who currently fly a different airframe will undergo several months of F-16 familiarization training before they begin practicing the aerial demonstrations with the…
Posted on June 1, 2010 by Fighter Country
by Airman 1st Class Melanie Holochwost 56th Fighter Wing Public Affairs 5/28/2010 – LUKE AIR FORCE BASE, Ariz. — Enlisted service members with promotion testing in their near future can take advantage of a free and convenient flashcard study tool recently developed by one of Luke Air Force Base’s own. First Lt. Brian Reese, 56th Mission Support Group Commander’s Action Group chief, is the co-founder of TestSoup, a Web site and mobile application devoted to helping individuals prepare for standardized tests. Although the Web site charges a small fee for civilians ($9.95 for GMAT, GRE, or ACCUPLACER flashcards), Lieutenant Reese…
Posted on May 20, 2010 by Fighter Country
5/18/2010 - LUKE AIR FORCE BASE, Ariz. – The 56th Fighter Wing at Luke Air Force Base will soon begin looking for a new wing weapons officer. Maj. Josh Wood, current 56th FW Weapons officer, will soon be departing Luke AFB and no longer fly F-16s, but the next generation aircraft, the F-35 Lightning II Joint Strike Fighter. With Air Force bases across the globe submitting recommendations, Major Wood is one of five pilots selected out of approximately 150 candidates to fly the F-35. “First off, I’m extremely humbled and it means the world to me,” said Major Wood. “I can’t describe what an unbelievable opportunity this is.”…
Posted on April 22, 2010 by Fighter Country
LUKE AIR FORCE BASE, Ariz.: It’s not every day the morning starts with a phone call from a NASCAR driver, but that’s exactly how a 56th Maintenance Group Quality Assurance inspector began work April 8 here. Staff Sgt. Damon Thurman’s supervisor handed him the phone and Matt Kenseth, driver of the No. 17 Crown Royal Black car, was on the other end, inviting him to be his honorary pit crew member for the Subway Fresh Fit 600 April 10 at the Phoenix International Speedway. “I didn’t know what to say,” Sergeant Thurman said. “I don’t get overly excited, but I…
Posted on March 15, 2010 by Fighter Country
The Thunderbirds, the Air Force’s F-16 aerial demonstration team, recently selected Captain Hubbard, 62nd Fighter Squadron instructor pilot, as their newest member. She will be Thunderbird 8, meaning she will narrate the Thunderbirds’ performances. She will also serve as the advance pilot. “It’s awesome,” she said. “I’m overwhelmed with excitement, honor and responsibility that come with being the No. eight. As the advance pilot, I’m the first person to show up at a location, the first to meet the media and the first person to meet kids and talk to them about what I do.” Captain Hubbard says she is…
Posted on February 8, 2010 by Fighter Country
Most crew chiefs aspire to become part of something great like working on Air Force 1 or at NASA. But, one master sergeant at Luke Air Force base landed one of the top special assignments in his career field — being part of the U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds. MSgt. Manuel Gonzalez, 756th AMS production superintendent, was selected for the USAF Demonstration Team, the Thunderbirds. After 20 years of service, eight at Luke, Master Sgt. Manuel Gonzalez, 756th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron production superintendent, has been selected to join the Thunderbirds for a three-year controlled tour at Nellis AFB, Nev., in April….
Posted on January 21, 2010 by Fighter Country
The Missouri National Guard is sending two airmen to Davis-Monthan Air Force Base in Arizona to support relief operations in Haiti.The airmen from the 231st Civil Engineer Squadron in St. Louis expect to become part of a larger civil engineer element that will help plan and direct operations in Haiti, according to a news release.
