Thunderbirds’ announce 2007 officers

  • Published
  • Thunderbirds Public Affairs
NELLIS AIR FORCE BASE, Nev. (ACCNS) --  The U.S. Air Force Air Demonstration Squadron, “Thunderbirds,” have announced their new officers for the 2007 demonstration season – the 54th in the team’s history. 

Joining the team on the left wing position at Thunderbird no. 2 will be Maj. Chris Austin, currently assigned to the 57th Wing, Nellis AFB, Nev. 

The slot pilot, Thunderbird no. 4, will be Maj. William Poteet, currently assigned to the 422nd Test and Evaluation Squadron, Nellis. 

The 2007 no. 6 pilot, flying the opposing solo position, will be Capt. Samantha Weeks, currently assigned to the 12th Fighter Squadron, Elmendorf AFB, Alaska. 

The operations officer, Thunderbird no. 7, the team’s second in command, will be Maj. Robert Skelton, currently assigned to Headquarters U.S. Air Forces Europe, Ramstein Air Base, Germany. 

The team’s newest executive officer, Thunderbird no. 10, will be Capt. Amy Glisson, currently assigned to Air Force District of Washington at Bolling Air Force Base, Washington, D.C. 

Joining the team as the maintenance officer, Thunderbird no. 11, is Capt. Charles Ploetz, currently assigned at 52nd Aircraft Maintenance Squadron, Spangdahlem Air Base, Germany. 

Rounding out the newest 2007 officers is the public affairs officer, Thunderbird no. 12, Capt. Elizabeth Kreft, currently stationed at the 1st Fighter Wing, Langley Air Force Base, Va. 

Returning to lead the team for a second season as commander/leader is Lt. Col. Kevin Robbins, Thunderbird no. 1. The other returning members of the 2006 team who will complete the 2007 team include: Maj. Nicole Malachowski, Thunderbird no. 3, right wing; Maj. Ed Casey, Thunderbird no. 5, lead solo; Maj. Tad Clark, Thunderbird no. 8, advance pilot and narrator; and Maj. (Dr.) Dan Mirski, Thunderbird no. 9, the team’s flight surgeon. 

The U.S. Air Force Air Demonstration Squadron is an Air Combat Command unit comprised of eight pilots (including six demonstration pilots), four support officers, four civilians and about 120 enlisted Airmen performing in more than 29 career specialties. 

A Thunderbirds’ demonstration is a mix of six aircraft, performing formation flying and solo routines. The four-aircraft diamond formation demonstrates the training and precision of Air Force pilots, while the solos highlight the maximum capabilities of the Lockheed Martin F-16 Fighting Falcon. 

The team's first performance was June 8, 1953 at Luke AFB, Ariz. Since then, the Thunderbirds have flown before 310 million-plus people at more than 4,000 air demonstrations in all 50 states and more than 60 foreign countries. 

Background information on the Thunderbirds is available on the Internet at: www.airforce.com/thunderbirds. 

For more information, contact a member of the Thunderbirds’ Public Affairs staff at (702)652-9902; (702)652-7200 or (702)378-7951.