Fighter Jet News
F-16 Fighting Falcon News
Thunderbird #2 released for 2006 season due to medical issue
February 2, 2006 (by
Lieven Dewitte) -
The United States Air Force Air Demonstration Squadron, "Thunderbirds," announced Thunderbird #2, Maj. Rusty Keen, will be replaced for the 2006 season due to a medical issue.
"Maj. Keen is a superb aviator and outstanding officer and will continue to serve our Air Force with distinction," said Lt. Col. Mike Chandler, Thunderbird commander/leader.
Maj. Scottie Zamzow, the 2004-2005 Thunderbird solo pilot, will remain with the team for a third year and will be ready to fly left wing (Thunderbird #2) in time for the start of the 2006 season.
The left wing pilot, who primarily flies as part of the diamond in the demonstration, is also responsible for acknowledging maneuvers and enforcing squadron standards within the flight.
Safety is always a concern for the Air Force and the Thunderbirds. According to Lt. Col Chandler, the safety of our pilots, enlisted crews and the viewing public is our number one priority during every demonstration.
The U.S. Air Force Air Demonstration Squadron is an Air Combat Command unit comprised of eight pilots (including six demonstration pilots), four support officers, four civilians and about 120 enlisted Airmen performing in more than 28 career specialties.
A Thunderbird demonstration is a mix of six aircraft, performing formation flying and solo routines. The four-aircraft diamond formation demonstrates the training and precision of Air Force pilots, while the solos highlight the maximum capabilities of the Lockheed Martin F-16 Fighting Falcon.
USAF Thunderbird 2 (right wing) photographed at Dover AFB on May 16th, 2004. [Photo by Mike Boyd]
Maj. Scottie Zamzow, the 2004-2005 Thunderbird solo pilot, will remain with the team for a third year and will be ready to fly left wing (Thunderbird #2) in time for the start of the 2006 season.
The left wing pilot, who primarily flies as part of the diamond in the demonstration, is also responsible for acknowledging maneuvers and enforcing squadron standards within the flight.
Safety is always a concern for the Air Force and the Thunderbirds. According to Lt. Col Chandler, the safety of our pilots, enlisted crews and the viewing public is our number one priority during every demonstration.
The U.S. Air Force Air Demonstration Squadron is an Air Combat Command unit comprised of eight pilots (including six demonstration pilots), four support officers, four civilians and about 120 enlisted Airmen performing in more than 28 career specialties.
A Thunderbird demonstration is a mix of six aircraft, performing formation flying and solo routines. The four-aircraft diamond formation demonstrates the training and precision of Air Force pilots, while the solos highlight the maximum capabilities of the Lockheed Martin F-16 Fighting Falcon.
Additional images:
GF-16A #81-0678 is painted in T-birdscolor scheme. This airframe was a T-bird during its entire career. It is stored at Sheppard AFB nowadays. [Photo by Simon Cheryl]
Thunderbird no. 3 with a slow dirty pass, with its collegue performing a clean fast flyby on top [USAF photo]
Thunderbird no. 1 (#87329) flying besides its sistership. [USAF photo]
Related articles:
Forum discussion:
Tags
- Thunderbirds need enlisted volunteers (2005-12-15)
- Thunderbirds release their 2006 schedule (2005-12-07)
- F-16 Fighting Falcon news archive
Forum discussion:
- Start a discussion about this article in the F-16.net forum.
Tags