Thunderbirds set 2008 Schedule

Nellis AFB, Nevada - January 3, 2007 - In 2005, Maj. Nicole Malachowski became the first woman pilot selected to fly as part of the Air Force Demonstration Team, better known as the Thunderbirds. But in 2008, Maj. Samantha Weeks, who in 2007 flew in the opposing solo slot, will become the first woman to fly lead solo. The Thunderbirds, the U.S. Air Force’s demonstration team, will perform in more than 67 shows in 25 states and Canada in 2008, in its 55th anniversary year. They have flown the F-16 for 20 years. According to Air Force News, Lt. Col. Greg Thomas will be the commander and leader for the 2008 show season. The remaining pilots for the season include Maj. Chris Austin, Thunderbird No. 2, left wing; Maj. Kirby Ensser, Thunderbird No. 3, right wing; Maj. Scott Poteet, Thunderbird No. 4, slot; and Maj. Tyrone Douglas, Thunderbird No. 6, opposing solo. "The entire team is excited to announce our schedule for 2008," Thomas said. "It is truly an honor for me to lead the team in commemorating the 55th anniversary of the Thunderbirds." The Thunderbirds will help commemorate another milestone when the team travels in June to Québec City to honor the city's 400th anniversary. The Thunderbirds, originally known as the 3600th Air Demonstration Unit, out of Luke Air Force Base, Ariz., were activated May 25, 1953, with a purpose of giving confidence to the Air Force pilots of the day. "Over the last 55 years, the mission has changed slightly to include recruiting young men and women, retaining the quality Airmen already in service today and representing the 513,000 active-duty, Guard and Reserve members serving at home and abroad," Thomas said. Besides the eight pilots, including six demonstration pilots, the Thunderbirds unit is composed of four support officers, four civilians and about 110 enlisted people performing in more than 29 Air Force specialties. 2008 schedule March 15: San Angelo, Texas 29: Tyndall AFB, Florida April 5-6: Punta Gorda, Florida 12-13: Lakeland, Florida 19-20: Wilmington, North Carolina 26: Charleston AFB, South Carolina May 3-4: March ARB, California 10-11: Langley AFB, Virginia 17-18: Fort Smith, Arkansas 24: Tinker AFB, Oklahoma 31: McGuire AFB, New Jersey June 1: McGuire AFB, New Jersey 7-8: Rockford, Illinois 14-15: Quebec City 21: Klamath Falls, Oregon 24: Eielson AFB, Alaska 28-29: Elmendorf AFB, Alaska July 4 & 6: Battle Creek, Michigan 12-13: Milwaukee, Wisconsin 19-20: McChord AFB, Washington 23: Cheyenne, Wyoming 26-27: Rochester, New York August 8 & 10: Abbotsford, Canada 16-17: Offutt AFB, Nebraska 20: Atlantic City, New Jersey 23-24: Kansas City, Missouri 30-31: Travis AFB, California September 6-7: Westover ARB, Massachusetts 12-13: Reno, Nevada 14: Mountain Home AFB, Idaho 20-21: Scott AFB, Illinois 27-28: Salinas, California October 4: Vance AFB, Oklahoma 11-12: Fort Worth, Texas 8-19: Dobbins AFB, Georgia 25-26: Houston November 1-2: Lafayette, Louisiana 8-9: Nellis AFB, Nevada

Maj. Samantha Weeks, the first woman to fly the Lead Solo slot for the Thunderbirds.

• 2008 - 08/22 - Grand Adventure breaks speed record
• 2008 - 08/21 - First Win For Arch in Red Bull
• 2008 - 08/11 - Former Young Eagles Arrive in Style
• 2008 - 08/05 - Flying around the world for a cure
• 2008 - 08/05 - Chambliss wins London Red Bull