2014 Officers

Discussions about the U.S. Air Force Air Demonstration Squadron
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Tailhook
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2014 Officers

Post by Tailhook » Sat Apr 13, 2013 1:44 am

http://afthunderbirds.com/site/2013/04/ ... elections/

#1 - Lt. Col. Matthew Bradley
#3 - Maj. Scott Petz
#6 - Capt. Ryan Wick
#8 - Capt. Joshua Larsen
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Beaker
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Post by Beaker » Sat Apr 13, 2013 9:12 am

I wonder how they feel about selection with the current state of military demonstration teams in the US!
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Post by Panther » Sat Apr 13, 2013 10:13 am

I'm surprised that they even went through with new selections. Means that the formation as a whole next year will have very little flight time in formation.
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Convertible
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Post by Convertible » Mon Apr 15, 2013 12:09 am

I was thinking that it kinda sucks for those officers this year that are just starting... They will not have a chance to keep flying and will be just as rusty as the new team coming in next year. That is if they even fly next year. Kinda sucks all around.
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takeone
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Post by takeone » Wed Apr 24, 2013 9:30 pm

If they have a season next year...won't it be 'difficult' without experienced wingmen/women?

Here's what's really crazy...I emailed the team. Figured since they have all the promo materials printed...etc (btw 10s of thousands of that stuff)...I might be able to have them send me a VIP package...and MAYBE a photo signed by the team.

Ha...here's the reply.

"Sorry, but as a matter of policy, we no longer mail out promotional material on demand. If budget conditions persist and we continue to be unable to travel, we will reevaluate that policy. So, please check back with us in a couple of months. Thanks so much for your support either way."

JACOB A. RICHMOND, TSgt, USAF
Public Affairs
U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds


So...not only do they not have a season...

They've been seriously 'neutered' to do any type of promotional value for the team/Air Force.

They can't even send out materials to fans. You know what will happen with all those materials right...? Dumpster at the end of November. What a waste.

I can't even go there...as to how messed up our government is on many levels. But the truly amazing part is...if you did the REAL math...for what it costs the Blues, TBs and Golden Knights to do their promotional airshows...it's a small pittance to the ga-millions being wasted elsewhere.

PLUS...to maintain efficiency...the pilots have to keep flying right? So jet fuel is STILL being used...plus the multitude of other essentials the government pays for the team on a daily basis...whether they're flying or not. Right down to meals for the team...

Sad...sad...sad. On many levels.
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Panther
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Post by Panther » Wed Apr 24, 2013 9:38 pm

takeone wrote:PLUS...to maintain efficiency...the pilots have to keep flying right? So jet fuel is STILL being used...plus the multitude of other essentials the government pays for the team on a daily basis...whether they're flying or not. Right down to meals for the team...

Sad...sad...sad. On many levels.
They are not flying, not one flight has been in the air since they were grounded at the beginning of April.

Meals are not provided to everyone, they're only available to the low ranked airman and they must be living in provided dorms. All others have to pay for their own food. There's more to it than that, but this isn't the place to discuss the ends and outs of how the military functions.
takeone
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Post by takeone » Wed Apr 24, 2013 9:44 pm

Understand...but why does the team post Instagram photos...showing pilots going out on sortie flights?

http://t.co/g88bXKyfPQ

And on April 5. Brig. General Moore took a flight. This made me believe the team was still 'practicing' at Nellis...to keep skills honed.

Tell me if I mis-understand this.
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Post by Panther » Thu Apr 25, 2013 12:59 am

They were grounded April 8th.
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Tailhook
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Post by Tailhook » Mon May 13, 2013 10:59 am

An article on Lt. Col Matthew Bradley:
53rd Wing pilot to become lead Thunderbird
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Lawndart
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Post by Lawndart » Mon May 13, 2013 12:03 pm

I'm surprised the Tbirds aren't extending the officers' tours... (yet?)

http://www.pnj.com/article/20130509/BLU ... s-extended
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Post by Beaker » Mon May 13, 2013 6:02 pm

Yeah, I'll be interested to hear what happens in that department. Needless to say, we were all pretty excited to hear the Blues officers will be sticking around another year. It bodes well!
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Post by Teej » Wed May 15, 2013 12:22 am

Beaker wrote:Yeah, I'll be interested to hear what happens in that department. Needless to say, we were all pretty excited to hear the Blues officers will be sticking around another year. It bodes well!
Especially since open tryout week isn't going so well this year... :lol:

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Post by Beaker » Wed May 15, 2013 3:07 pm

Ah gee I saw that the other day, thought the caption said it was a Mesa RJ...?
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