THE USAF THUNDERBIRDS ALUMNI ASSOCIATION NEWSLETTER 2015 THUNDERROLLS Volume 22 No. 2 Plans Firming Up for Thunderbirds Reunion Nov. 12-14 With less than six months to go plans are firming up as Thunderbirds alumni and current team members gather Nov. 12-14 to celebrate the Air Force Air Demonstration Squadron’s 62nd anniversary. “While specific times and prices still need to be worked out, the agenda is nearly com plete,” said Jeff Remington, chairman of the Thunderbirds Alumni Association Board of Directors. “We are planning a fun-filled couple of days for alumni to meet old teammates, friends and current team members and at the same time keep costs down.” To kick things off, a Las Vegas-area group of alumni have moved their monthly luncheon to Wednesday, Nov. 11 and invite all present and former Thunderbirds to meet for lunch at Boulder Station. The meeting starts at Bill Bogan (Crew Chief #1 and #3 1971-75) and Thunderbirds Maintenance Officer 11:30 a.m. For more details, email Jerry Maj. Lucas Buckley share a moment in the Thunderbirds hangar during the 2013 reunion. Jones (Ground Radio Communications Plans call for alumni to visit the Thunderbirds hangar Friday (Nov. 13) during reunion. Technician 1965-69) at [email protected]. (Photo by TK Dudley) The reunion registration desk will open registration desk will reopen that after- Remington said, “and Boss ‘Reggie’ Wednesday afternoon. That evening the noon. The Perch Party will be held early Hammond assures me the team wants hospitality suite will open and remain open Thursday evening. to do this for us. It will most likely be several each night through Saturday, Nov. 14. months before we know if the request is Alumni will visit the Thunderbirds approved and we’ll get the word out as soon Thursday (Nov. 12) activities will begin hangar Friday (Nov. 13). “We’ve asked as we know.” with golf at the Revere Golf Club. The the team to fly a demonstration for us,” Continued on page 3 10 Candidates Vie for Six TBAA Board of Director Positions Ten candidates were certified as qualified Director Shawn “Norm” Pederson (Solo To be eligible to vote, individuals must and are running for six vacancies on the 2001-02), Communications Chairman be members of TBAA and dues must be Thunderbirds Alumni Association Board Eric “Flak” Schnaible (Public Affairs current. TBAA members can vote one of of Directors. 1992-94) and Membership Chairman two ways, said Nominations/Elections Chairman Frank Howe. “You can email Voting for new directors takes place Carey “CB” Shoff (1994-97). Additionally, your six choices to me at tbaa2015vote@ in advance of the business meeting held one vacant position on the Board will gmail.com and be sure to include your during Reunion. be filled. name in the text. The other option is to On Jan. 1, 2016, turnover of the TBAA Election results will be announced mail the ballot on Page 5 to TBAA Board will include Vice Chairman Kevin at Reunion so members can speak Elections, c/o Frank Howe, 19621 E. “Joker” Mastin (Solo 2000-01), Director directly with outgoing, returning and Belleview Place, Centennial CO 80015. Lennie Coleman (Right Wing 1991-92), new Directors. Ballots must be received by July 15.” From the Chairman Elections and reunion continue to be We’ll visit the Thunderbirds hangar Friday. I’ve asked Boss the main focus of the TBAA Board “Reggie” Hammond for a demonstration by the 2015 team. of Directors as we near the midway Boss Hammond assures me he and the 2015 team want to point of 2015. make it happen but operational requirements at Nellis and the I’m pleased to report we have 10 unknowns of sequestration make it too early to get confirmation alumni who are certified as qualified of a demonstration. Rest assured, once we get the word we will and running for six positions on the let everyone know. Board. Thank you all for stepping I’m pleased Gen. Lori Robinson has accepted our invitation to be forward and being willing to serve the the guest speaker at the Fitz banquet Saturday night. Association. Information on the candi- Invitations and registrations will start six weeks earlier this year. dates is available on Pages 4 and 5 of this issue of ThunderRolls. We will mail out invitations around July 1. We’ll begin accepting A ballot is located on Page 5. registrations July 15. Once again you can either register or pay Alumni can vote one of two ways: email six choices to online with a credit card; or mail in a registration form along [email protected] and be sure to include your name in with a check. the text; or mail the ballot on Page 5 with your choices to TBAA We continue to welcome a number of new annual and lifetime Elections, c/o Frank Howe, 19621 E. Belleview Place, Centennial members. Your help is needed to recruit our teammates and CO 80015. Ballots must be received by July 15. Only alumni who convince them that the $30 annual fee or $300 lifetime member- are current in their dues may vote. ship is worth the money. The idea of continuing our belief that With less than six months to go, plans are being finalized for “Once a Thunderbird, Always a Thunderbird” is something to Reunion 2015 at the South Point Hotel, Casino and Spa. We are be proud of. In addition, we do have a lot of fun getting together working to put together a fun-filled couple of days reminiscing with as members of certain year teams, or collectively, at reunion. friends, meeting the current team while keeping prices minimal. Golfers will be pleased to know the golf outing will return to the Revere Golf Club Thursday (Nov. 12) morning. We’ve moved the Perch Party to Thursday night, which will leave Friday night Jeff Remington open for mini-reunions or to just get together with friends. Solo (1988-89) Chairman (2014-17) The Thunderbirds mission has always been comprised of three main focus From the Boss areas – recruit, retain and represent. While the Team strives to find better ways of doing business, an improvement we have made this season is an Fellow Thunderbirds, effort to more adequately represent the specialties and job opportunities Last quarter the Team saw the kickoff available in the U. S. Air Force. of the 2015 show season! We success- Traditionally, the focus has disproportionately been on the Thunderbirds fully completed a safe training season that are most visible at the show sites, which are the demonstration pilots leading to a double “thumbs up” from the and the maintainers on the show line. However, we all know it takes much Commander of Air Combat Command more to successfully train, deploy, support media flights and perform at our certification. You saw the meticu- each weekend for nine months straight each year. lously kept jets soar over the Super Bowl, The pilot and maintainer specialties represent only a part of the Team Daytona 500 and Kobalt 400. Then we hit composition and a much smaller part of what the Air Force needs to the road to California and the Southeast Fly, Fight and Win in air, space and cyberspace. Hence, the Team is before a hard-earned break. making a strong push to advertise all of the Air Force Specialty Codes Some of you may have also heard of our non-standard performance at present on the Team through inclusion of those Airmen in our high Louisville, Ky., providing only a two-ship flyby presence due to an unsafe school visits and introduction during the show sequence. Not only is it aerobatic box layout. While the change was unfortunate, it illustrated necessary that the Team represents all of the Airmen, veterans and their our commitment to doing things the right way . the Thunderbirds way! families as completely as possible, but more importantly, we need to fully The second quarter of 2015 finds the Team in full swing! One of the advertise all the Air Force has to offer as we strive to recruit and inspire highlights associated with each airshow is the opportunity to meet and tomorrow’s Airmen! hear the stories of those who have built the foundation from which we The 2015 show season is off to a strong start and has the potential to be a now operate. To hear the stories of former Thunderbirds is awe-inspiring great season! We look forward to bridging the growing gap between the and renews our commitment to representing those who have gone before public and our military and inspiring future Airmen and Thunderbirds. us. Those stories show that throughout decades of change in the Team Thank you for your continued support of the USAF Thunderbirds! and the USAF, one constant remains – Thunderbirds’ pride and their See you on the road. undeniable commitment to excellence. I hope we have the opportunity to meet you either on the road, at the hangar or at November’s Thunderbird Reunion so we may continue the dialogue. Lt. Col. Christopher B. “Reggie” Hammond USAFADS Commander/Leader (2015-16) 2 Plans Firming Up for Thunderbirds Reunion Nov. 12-14 Continued from page 1 Friday (Nov. 13) evening is open left wing in 1987 and was start accepting registrations online (with a credit card as a time for mini-reunions by the slot pilot and operations beginning July 15, six weeks payment) through the TBAA specific era or simply gathering officer in 1988. earlier than in the past. Once website (www.tbaa.org) or by with friends.