Thunderbirds thrill thousands at Aviation Nation, wrapping up 2011 show season

  • Published
  • By Tech. Sgt. Jake Richmond
  • USAFADS/PA
NELLIS AIR FORCE BASE, Nev. --  As the Thunderbirds demonstration pilots landed their F-16s and rendered a synchronized salute to tens of thousands of spectators on the flightline atNellis Air Force Base, Nev., it signaled the finale of a busy and historic 2011 show season.

The team traditionally concludes each eight-month season as the headlining performance at "Aviation Nation," the annual Nellis Open House and largest free public event in Nevada.

This year, the Nellis show took place Nov. 12-13 and celebrated 70 years of U.S. airpower in Las Vegas. It featured more than 100 aircraft, covering the earliest days of aviation to some of the nation's newest military aircraft, and attracted more than 100,000 attendees.

"I've never been before, so this is pretty incredible," said James Johnson, a Henderson, Nev., resident, as he stared skyward. "I've always known the Thunderbirds were stationed here, but I've never seen them perform. Just amazing."

For the Thunderbirds, the 2011 show schedule featured more than 60 demonstrations at 37 locations, which included a six-week, eight-stop European tour.

The team kicked off its Europe trip with a show at Cigli Air Base, Turkey, where several international demo teams came together to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the Turkish air force. The Thunderbirds were but one of many awe-inspiring performances, including those by Italy's Frecce Tricolori, France's Patrouille de France, the United Kingdom's Red Arrows, Poland's Bialo Czerwone Iskry, Croatia's Krila Aluje, Spain's Patrulla Aguila and Turkey's own Turkish Stars.

The European tour also featured shows in Constanta, Romania; Jesolo, Italy; Karup AB, Denmark; Turku, Finland; Graf Ignatievo AB, Bulgaria; Royal Air Force Waddington, United Kingdom; and Koksijde AB, Belgium.

The Turku performance was historic, marking the first time the Thunderbirds had ever performed in Finland. The team was then able to add the country's blue-and-white standard to the colorful, square panels on each F-16, which displays the flags of all the countries in the world where the Thunderbirds have performed.

"It has been an absolute honor and privilege to serve alongside some of the most dedicated professionals in the Air Force," said Lt. Col. Case Cunningham, the Thunderbirds outgoing commander and lead pilot. "And there's no better way to end a great season than performing in front of our awesome 'home crowd' here at Aviation Nation."

This year was the Thunderbirds' 58th season as the Air Force's "Ambassadors in Blue." The team - officially known as the U.S. Air Force Air Demonstration Squadron - travels to dozens of air show sites between mid-March and early November, representing the integrity, selfless service and excellence embodied by American Airmen everywhere.