Thunderbirds officials announce 2010 Airshow schedule

NELLIS AIR FORCE BASE: Officials from the U.S. Air Force Air Demonstration Squadron, "Thunderbirds," here announced its 2010 airshow schedule.

The team's 57th show season is scheduled to take them to more than 65 shows in 27 states and Canada.

Lt. Col. Case Cunningham will join the team as commander and leader for the team and fly the No. 1 position.

Other officers beginning their first season with the team are Thunderbird No. 3, Capt. Chad Shenk, right wing; Thunderbird No. 6, Capt. Aaron Jelinek, opposing solo; Thunderbird No. 8, Maj. John Gallemore, advance pilot and narrator; Thunderbird No. 9, Capt Thom Bowden, flight surgeon.

The new team members will join returning officers Thunderbird No. 2, Maj. John Baum, left wing; Thunderbird No. 4, Maj. Sean Gustafson, slot; Thunderbird No. 5, Maj. Rick Goodman, lead solo; Thunderbird No. 7, Lt. Col. Derek Routt, operations officer; Thunderbird No. 10, Capt. Petrina Hanson, executive officer; Thunderbird No. 11, Maj. David Lemery, maintenance officer; Thunderbird No. 12, Capt. Jason McCree.

The Thunderbirds, originally known as the 3600th Air Demonstration Unit out of Luke Air Force Base, Ariz., was activated May 25, 1953.

The demonstration squadron is an Air Combat Command unit composed of eight pilots, including six demonstration pilots, four support officers, four civilians and about 110 enlisted people performing in more than 29 Air Force specialties.

The Thunderbirds' aerial demonstration is a mix of formation flying and solo routines. The pilots perform about 40 maneuvers in a demonstration. The entire show, including ground and air, runs about one hour. The airshow season lasts from March to November, with the winter months used to train new members.

"We are humbled to have the opportunity to travel the U.S and Canada this year, representing the 700,000 Airmen in America's Air Force," Captain McCree said.