Media invited to D-M for operational kick-off of Angel Thunder Published April 21, 2010 By 020410 DAVIS-MONTHAN AIR FORCE BASE, Ariz. -- Media are invited to the base to cover Angel Thunder 2010, Air Combat Command's annual personnel recovery exercise April 15. The exercise, which is the largest of its kind, officially began April 12 with the arrival of participants. The following two days are dedicated to mission planning, with active simulated mission scenarios starting on the 15th. Col. Billy Thompson, 563rd Rescue Group commander, will be available for interviews beginning at 8:30 a.m. Media members will also have access to the Angel Thunder Rescue Operations Center, where much of the exercise's command-and-control functions are performed. Video B-roll footage from previous Angel Thunder exercises will be available on DVD-R, by request. Interested media should RSVP by 2 p.m. Wednesday and plan on arriving at the Craycroft Gate Visitors Center at 8 a.m., Thursday, April 15. To RSVP, please call the 355th Fighter Wing Public Affairs office at 228-3406 or e-mail jacob.richmond@dm.af.mil. About Angel Thunder... Personnel recovery is an Air Force service core function. Angel Thunder is designed to simulate a comprehensive government response to isolated citizens. It echoes the warrior ethos, "I will never leave a fallen comrade," and is the closest people can get to experiencing a holistic personnel recovery response without being in an actual rescue situation. Angel Thunder began in 2006 as a local endeavor, and its success resonated throughout the PR community. Now an ACC-sponsored event, Angel Thunder integrates sister services and numerous state, national, multinational and interagency assets focused on the rescue mission and saving lives.