Thunderbirds ready for 57th season

  • Published
  • By Airman Cynthia A. Haughton
  • 99th Air Base Wing Public Affairs
NELLIS AIR FORCE BASE, Nev. --  The U.S. Air Force Air Demonstration Squadron "Thunderbirds" flew their acceptance show March 11 and were approved by Gen. William M. Fraser III, commander of Air Combat Command, to start their 2010 show season.

"The acceptance show is the culmination of the hard work and dedication by our entire team throughout the training season, from November to March," said Lt. Col. Case Cunningham, who is beginning his first year as the Thunderbirds commander and leader. "It is an opportunity for us to demonstrate a safe air show for General Fraser as we prepare for the 2010 air show season."

The ground and air show lasted one hour.  Immediately after, General Fraser greeted the Thunderbird officers on the flightline and later addressed the entire Thunderbirds squadron in the unit's auditorium.

"The Thunderbirds are absolutely looking forward to the 2010 season and the opportunity to represent nearly 700,000 Airmen," said Capt. Jason McCree, Thunderbirds public affairs officer.

The Thunderbirds are scheduled to fly 73 shows throughout the United States and Canada and will be on the road approximately 250 days from March to November. Their season ends with the homecoming show at Nellis AFB open house in November.

The Thunderbirds' 2010 schedule is as follows:

March
20 and 21: Davis Monthan AFB, Ariz.
27 and 28: Maxwell AFB, Ala.

April
10 and 11: Eglin AFB, Fla.
17 and 18: Lakeland, Fla.
24 and 25: Barksdale AFB, La.

May
1: Dyess AFB, Texas
2: Altus AFB, Okla.
8 and 9: Shaw AFB, S.C.
15 and 16: Columbus AFB, Miss.
22: Grand Forks AFB, N.D.
26: U.S. Air Force Academy, Colo.
29 and 30: Janesville, Wis.

June
5 and 6: Ocean City, Md.
12 and 13: Quebec City, Canada
19 and 20: Tinker AFB, Okla.
26 and 27: North Kingstown, R.I.

July
10 and 11: Gary, Ind.
17 and 18: Duluth, Minn.
24 and 25: Fairchild AFB, Wash.
28: Cheyenne, Wyo.
Jul 31 and Aug 1: Rockford, Ill.

August
7 and 8: TBD
14 and 15: Abbotsford, Canada
21 and 22: Westfield, Mass.
25: Atlantic City, N.J.
28 and 29: Brooklyn (Coney Island), N.Y.

September
4 and 5: Martinsburg, W.V.
11 and 12: Coraopolis (Pittsburgh), Pa.
18 and 19: Whiteman AFB, Mo.
25 and 26: McConnell AFB, Kan.

October
2 and 3: Salinas, Calif.
9 and 10: Little Rock AFB, Ark.
16 and 17: El Paso, Texas
23 and 24: Houston
30 and 31: Cocoa Beach, Fla.

November
6 and 7: Lackland AFB, Texas
13 and 14: Nellis AFB, Nev.