Demo teams receive 2010 certification

  • Published
  • By Harry J. Lundy
  • Air Combat Command Public Affairs
LANGLEY AIR FORCE BASE, Va. (AFNS) --  Two teams of aerial demonstration pilots received their certification Feb. 4, from Gen. William Fraser III, the commander of the Air Combat Command, for the 2010 air show season.

"Certification is a chance for us to fly the show profile in front of General Fraser," said Maj. Mike Maeder, the newest pilot in the Strike Eagle demo team. "He will sign off on us being ready to fly the air show season."

Certification requires approval at the wing and numbered air force levels before the final endorsement is given from the commander of the ACC.

"It's a humbling feeling," said Capt. Ryan Corrigan, an F-16 Viper east demo team pilot. "So many folks work hard to generate a flight of 15 minutes."

Although the public sees a show that lasts just minutes in the sky, they don't get to see what goes on behind the scenes. In addition to the pilot prepping for his flight, there's a team of maintainers who work to keep each jet fully mission capable at every location.

"It takes hours and hours to make that sortie," Captain Corrigan said. "A lot of people work very hard to make this happen."

ACC certification also provides an opportunity to get several demonstration teams together. It gives pilots a chance to share knowledge of what it's like on the road and allows everyone to see each other's show.

To Captain Corrigan, receiving the ACC stamp of approval means the teams have performances worthy of representing the command and the Air Force.

"Everyone is on the same page, knows the job and executes it to a T," said Captain Corrigan.

The 2010 air show season is scheduled to run from March to November.