F-16 Fighting Falcon News

February 20, 2008 (by SSgt. Vann Miller) - Exceptional dreams require noteworthy pursuits, and one of Misawa's Airmen learns first hand that no matter how long the chase, some dreams are worth following.
Being the first in his family to ever serve in the armed forces gave this F-16 crew chief a limited knowledge of what it meant to be an Airman in today's Air Force. But, that didn't stop Senior Airman Brian Emerson from dreaming big.

Although Airman Emerson had only served the military for less than 3 years, he received a line number for staff, performed exemplary at his job and has even been on some pretty remarkable temporary duty deployments. But, when stacked up against his latest accomplishment, all of that dulls in comparison, if you ask him. Airman Emerson was recently selected to serve with the Thunderbirds.

This native of Rockledge, Fla., found himself stationed at Misawa for his first duty assignment where he served as an F-16 crew chief.

Airman Emerson said he has known early on that he wanted to work with the Thunderbirds.

"When I was in tech school at Luke Air Force Base, Ariz., the Thunderbirds came to do a weekend air show," Airman Emerson said. "While we (other students) were on the flight line, our instructor took us over to meet the Thunderbirds. I remember thinking, 'wow' they look really sharp and really cool."

This introduction was all it took to leave a lasting impression with Airman Emerson.

Over the next few years his tenacity and research into how to become a Thunderbird had really paid off.

But as luck would have it, it was during a training exercise to Nellis AFB, Nev. that Airman Emerson would actually get to sit down at a meal with some of the Thunderbird crew chiefs.

"In January last year we were TDY at Nellis and my Chief, Chief Master Sgt. Duane Slater, introduced me to a friend of his, Chief (Master Sgt.) Robert Thiel, and put in a good word for me, they let me know the process of what I needed to do in order to join."

Chief Slater said that Airman Emerson has always been a top performer here.

"He has always been mature," said Chief Slater. "For this being his first assignment, he has been recognized a lot here. When he expressed an interest in the Thunderbirds, I just pointed him in the right direction."

It took two application submissions and a request to extend here at Misawa to land the position with the aerial acrobatic show team, but in the end the news came back with an approval.

"I was fortunate enough to have a good reputation here," Airman Emerson said. "Lt. Col. Stephen Williams, 13th Fighter Squadron commander, wrote my letter of recommendation and he knows the number one Thunderbird pilot."

Finding out the news didn't hit him the way most would have expected, the Airman said. It was a bit surreal.

Prior to getting the news, Airman Emerson said he would check his e-mail two or three times per day. And, there were even moments he felt as if being select for the team was not going to happen for him.

"When I finally got it, it was not real to me," he said. "I told my OIC and she made an announcement on the loud speaker."

Airman Emerson admitted that hearing the news across the public address system that day embarrassed him since he did not want to appear to be bragging. But he knows just how fortunate he is to have made the team.

Airman Emerson has left a strong impression with his team of maintainers, according to his supervisor.

"He is the complete package and a supervisor's dream," said Master Sgt. Clarence Glascock, 35th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron, aircraft section chief. "He has consistently displayed the highest standards and his confidence, dedication, and work ethics will be a tremendous asset to the Thunderbirds."

Since 1953, the Air Force's demonstration team has impressed audiences with their performances, and now Airman Emerson can say with pride he contributes to a team that showcases some of the best talent the Air Force has.