Thunderbirds set to perform at D-M

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  • By 011211
DAVIS-MONTHAN AIR FORCE BASE, Ariz. --  The United States Air Force Air Demonstration Squadron, known to the world as the Thunderbirds, released their 2012 Show Season Schedule today announcing that they will perform at the "Thunder and Lightning over Arizona - Celebrating 100 Years of Statehood" Open House here, April 14-15.

Typically, the D-M biannual open house is the first stop for the Air Forces premier demonstration team, however scheduling conflicts due to the base's operations tempo has made it necessary for the team postpone their visit to D-M until later in the year.

"The spring of 2012 will be a busy time for the Desert Lightning Team," said Col. John Cherrey, 355th Fighter Wing commander. "We are already slated to conduct two separate large-scale events in March during the time we would typically host an air show. Luckily, the men and women of the Thunderbirds were able to work with us to find a suitable date near the beginning of their season, allowing us to maintain our focus and vigilance to completing our other obligations."

The Thunderbirds perform precision aerial maneuvers demonstrating the capabilities of Air Force high performance aircraft to people throughout the world. The squadron exhibits the professional qualities the Air Force develops in the people who fly, maintain and support these aircraft. The squadron is an Air Combat Command unit composed of eight pilots (including six demonstration pilots), four support officers, three civilians and more than 130 enlisted personnel performing in 25 career fields.

A Thunderbirds' aerial demonstration is a mix of formation flying and solo routines. The pilots perform approximately 40 maneuvers in a demonstration. The entire show, including ground and air, runs about one hour.

For more information, please Contact the 355th Fighter Wing public affairs office at (520) 228-3406.

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