Forum: F-16 News

This is a discussion topic for the F-16.net news article: "Thunderbirds release their 2006 schedule". You can read the full forum discussion in the F-16.net forum.

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Forum Veteran Joined: Dec 25, 2003 - 10:03 PM Posts: 679

No NY shows! Oh well, I guess going to AC for the weekend won't be such a bad idea.

http://www.sun-herald.com/NewsArchive2/ ... y=ew13.htm

"First female T-bird pilot to fly here -- first
Capt. Malachowski to debut in April air show"

12/02/05

U.S. Air Force fighter pilot Nicole Malachowski made history this year by becoming the first woman assigned to the Air Force Thunderbirds aerobatic jet team -- and Punta Gorda spectators will be the first to see her fly.

I hope I get leave during the time that they're going to be in Duluth, MN so I can go watch them. Hope the weather is good; the first time I saw them they weren't able to do a full show.

Forum Veteran Joined: Dec 25, 2003 - 10:03 PM Posts: 679

Yeah I forgot about her. If anyone knows, when they do a show at Atlantic city, do you get to see the ground routine or no?

The Thunderbirds do a groung show but it's not open to the public since they consider it a remote show. They fly out of the 177th FW and do the show over the beach. As a Crew Chief with the 177th, We can bring our family and some guests but that is about it.

Forum Veteran Joined: Dec 25, 2003 - 10:03 PM Posts: 679

Maybe it's time for me to take that tour. Very Happy

Battlecreek!

A-10s + Thunderbirds = mmmmmmmmmmmm

-Aaron

TenguNoHi wrote:

Battlecreek!

A-10s + Thunderbirds = mmmmmmmmmmmm

-Aaron

I agree
Its too bad the battlecreek unit is getting BRAC'd

Active Member Joined: Apr 08, 2004 - 10:40 PM Posts: 201

The team always loves going to Battle Creek

Also the Blue Angels were recently at my base checking out when they could come down and perform at the AC Airshow. The word around the base is that both teams will be flying in this years airshow. I will post some more news as I get it but that is the rumor right now. this will be the first time the Blue Angels performed at the AC Airshow. Anyone that hasn't seen it, man you are missing one heck of a show. I will keep everyone posted on the performers of this years show when more details are released.

Vipercr8z wrote:

Also the Blue Angels were recently at my base checking out when they could come down and perform at the AC Airshow. The word around the base is that both teams will be flying in this years airshow.

That would be interesting. As far as I can remember, I've never heard the Thunderbirds and Blue Angels performed their full show at the same show. I don't know if it is a written instruction or an agreement done at the Pentagon (maybe some Thunderbird members here can give some details), but from what I understand, the two are not suppose to perform at the same show and must be spread out for maximum coverage.

Personally, I would go to any airshow that had both teams performing. Then, after they are done, the audience gets to vote who gave the better show. Maybe this Thunderbirds VS Blue Angels thing will force both teams to be more creative in their routines. Rolling Eyes

If they goto Battlecreek I'll watch them since its just a 50 min drive from here. And I can of course catch the Blue Angels in Dayton. Ahhh, I love air shows!

-Aaron

To give an answer to your question Scorpion1alpha, I don't think there is an agreement with the two teams because there has been a few, not many, but a few times where both teams have been together at a show. This year is the annivarsary of the Blue Angels so I think that is why they are performing at this show. Since the start of the AC Airshow, the Thunderbirds have been exclusive but the two teams have been alternating years at the Milville Airshow. This is going to be a great show!!! Since the pagent is not in AC in anymore there will be more money for the airshow. The Harrier demo team is coming back this year along with the F-15, A-10 demo teams. So far that is all that I know as of yet.

Actually Thunderbirds and Blue Angels had performed together once since I saw it in person. It was Air Force's 50th Anniversary and the air show was Dayton Air Show. Typically those two teams do alternate every other year but for AF 50 anniversary, both team showed up along with the snowbirds from our neighbor up north. Since it was AF's big moment, the thunderbirds was the anchor of the show; blue angels performed in late morning while the thunderbirds was in the afternoon. To be honest with you, the only thing seperated the two performance was the jets itself. Most manuvers were very similar.