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IN THE MILITARY

Air show daredevils
may perform in autumn

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By Gregg K. Kakesako
Star-Bulletin

The Air Force Thunderbirds may return to the islands for the first time since 1994 later this year as part of a Pacific tour.

Staff Sgt. Jason Haag, spokesman for the aerial demonstration squadron, said Hickam Air Force Base is one of the sites being considered as part of the team's Pacific tour, which will take place Sept. 20-Oct. 28.

"We are still working on the schedule," Haag said. "We hope to finalize it in March after we come out for a site survey."

Between March and November, the Thunderbirds average 70 demonstrations.

Their signature formation is the "diamond maneuver," in which the red, white and blue F-16C "Fighting Falcons" at times fly as close as 18 inches to each other.

Eight pilots, four support officers, four civilians and more than 100 enlisted specialists in 27 career fields make up the demonstration team.

Air demonstrations are planned at Osan Air Base in Seoul, and in Australia and Malaysia.

Other possible stops include Japan, Guam, the Philippines, Thailand and Singapore.

The show at Osan will commemorate the 50th anniversary of the Korean War.

Since its debut in 1953, the Thunderbirds have performed for more than 310 million people at 3,500 air demonstrations in 50 states and 59 countries.