Thunderbirds release 2015 show schedule

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  • U.S. Air Force Air Demonstration Squadron Public Affairs
NELLIS AIR FORCE BASE, Nev. (AFNS) --  The U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds have finalized their 2015 show schedule. In its 62nd season, the team is slated to perform 71 demonstrations at 39 locations.

The flying unit, officially known as the U.S. Air Force Air Demonstration Squadron, will perform its first public flyover of 2015 at the opening of Super Bowl XLIX in Phoenix, Feb. 1.

The remainder of the schedule is as follows:

Feb. 22: Daytona International Speedway, Daytona Beach, Florida
March 8: Las Vegas Motor Speedway, Las Vegas
March 14-15: Titusville, Florida
March 21-22: Lancaster, California
March 28-29: Keesler Air Force Base, Mississippi
March 31- April 5: Easter Break
April 11-12: Tyndall AFB, Florida
April 18: Louisville, Kentucky
April 25-26: Lakeland, Florida
May 2-3: Dyess AFB, Texas
May 9-10: Millville, New Jersey
May 16-17: Seymour Johnson AFB, North Carolina
May 23-24: Wantagh (Jones Beach), New York
May 28: U.S. Air Force Academy, Colorado
May 30-31: Aurora, Colorado
June 6-7: Waco, Texas
June 13-14: Whiteman AFB, Missouri
June 20-21: Dayton, Ohio
June 27-28: Mankato, Minnesota
July 4-5: Traverse City, Michigan
July 11-12: Gary, Indiana
July 18-19: Niagara Falls, New York
July 22: Cheyenne, Wyoming
July 25-26: Milwaukee
July 28 - August 2: Mid-Season Break
Aug. 8-9: La Crosse, Wisconsin
Aug. 15-16: Ellsworth AFB, South Dakota
Aug. 22-23: Open Date
Aug. 29-30: Midland, Texas
Sept. 5-7: Cleveland
Sept. 12-13: Owensboro, Kentucky
Sept. 19-20: Joint Base Andrews, Maryland
Sept. 26-27: Millington, Tennessee
Oct. 3-4: Mather (Sacramento), California
Oct. 10-11: Grand Junction, Colorado
Oct. 17-18: Houston, Texas
Oct. 24-25: Lake Charles, Louisiana
Oct. 31-1 Nov.: Joint Base San Antonio, Texas
Nov. 7-8: Moody AFB, Georgia

The squadron's Airmen normally spend up to 220 days a year traveling. Aside from performing impressive aerial demonstrations, Thunderbird Airmen visit with local schools and hospitals, hold enlistment ceremonies and conduct media engagements to speak with people about the Air Force.

"We are extremely excited to represent the Air Force during the upcoming season" said Lt. Col. Greg Moseley, the U.S. Air Force Air Demonstration Squadron commander and lead pilot. "Our newest team members have been training rigorously to ensure we execute our mission safely while showing the public what their Airmen can do."

Moseley is expected to depart the squadron after a change of command ceremony scheduled to occur Jan. 7, 2015. Lt. Col. Christopher Hammond, an experienced fighter pilot with more than 2,000 flight hours, will assume command of the squadron for the 2015 and 2016 demonstration seasons.

"It's an honor to share the story of U.S. Airmen serving at locations around the globe," Hammond said. "We hope these stories inspire others to learn more about aviation and opportunities to serve."

The Thunderbirds were formed in 1953, and since have been charged with demonstrating the professionalism of Airmen and the capabilities of modern airpower. The 2015 season marks the 33rd year the squadron has performed in the F-16 Fighting Falcon.

Assigned to Air Combat Command, the squadron is composed of nearly 130 Airmen serving in more than two dozen Air Force job specialties.

The primary product of that teamwork is a Thunderbirds aerial demonstration, which includes approximately 40 maneuvers, featuring formation flying and solo routines. The entire show, including the beginning ground ceremony, lasts about one hour. A typical air show travel season extends from March to November.

Visit the Thunderbirds’ website to learn more.