Thunderbirds wrap up 2009 Far East Tour

  • Published
  • By Tech. Sgt. Randy Redman
  • U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds Public Affairs
NELLIS AIR FORCE BASE, Nev. --  The U.S. Air Force Air Demonstration Squadron left their home at Nellis Air Force Base, Nev., six weeks ago to embark on a whirlwind journey that took them halfway around the world. 

The Thunderbirds typically travel from mid-March to mid-November in the continental United States; however, this year, the 2009 Far East Tour took the team to multiple locations in the Pacific, traveling more than 22,000 miles.

With a final pass over the crowd in Seoul, Korea, the world-famous Thunderbirds waved goodbye to their fans and completed the last performance of the tour. 

t was a bittersweet moment for the team because while it may be over, the bonds formed during the tour will last for generations to come.

"I expect the ROK-U.S. relationship to develop further in the future," said Lt. Col. Lee Chul-Hee, Republic of Korea air force Black Eagle commander. "The Thunderbirds symbolize this relationship, and I am confident that the two air forces will have strengthened this alliance in the future." 

The Black Eagles aerobatic team is the flight display team of the ROKAF. The team was disbanded after the 2007 Seoul Air Show, but re-formed with the arrival of their new T-50 Golden Eagle aircraft.

"Personally, I am honored to be here with the Thunderbirds," Colonel Chul-Hee said. "The Black Eagles were reborn this year with T-50s, and it was a personal honor to have joint performances here at Seoul Air Base with the Thunderbirds at this meaningful occasion. I expect this to be a new step in the direction of the relationship between the two forces."

That kind of feedback was exactly what the Thunderbirds were hoping to achieve -- in Korea as well as Hawaii, Guam, Australia, Malaysia, Thailand and Japan. 

Lt. Col. Greg Thomas, USAFADS commander and leader, said the team went abroad to represent the United States and to build on the strong ties America has with its allies.

"America has an unbelievable relationship with many countries in the Far East, and our tour over the last six weeks representing America's Airmen has been a great success and a humbling opportunity for the entire Thunderbird team," Colonel Thomas said.

"The greatest thing about this job is to be able to see the immediate impact that we have," he continued. "We see that very often in the United States, but to see that impact overseas was a phenomenal opportunity."

Maj. Brian Henderson was the Pacific Air Forces project officer for the Thunderbirds' Far East Tour. He said the crowd reactions were highly energetic, especially when the team signed autographs after each performance.

"They're generally excited to meet an American, but more particularly, they're excited to meet an Airman in one of the best air forces in the world," said Major Henderson.

Now the team is heading out once again for the Wings Over Homestead Air Show scheduled for Nov. 7 and 8, at Homestead Air Reserve Base, Fla. 

The team's final air show this year will be at Nellis Nov. 14 and 15. 

For more information about the Thunderbirds, log onto www.airforce.com/thunderbirds.