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Despite mishap, Thunderbirds still will be at airshow
The U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds are continuing their show schedule and are still scheduled to perform at the Gunfighter Skies 2005 airshow the weekend after AFAD, despite two aircraft "trading paint" when they touched in flight during Saturday's Chicago Air and Water Show.
It's not unusual for the Thunderbirds to be grounded for at least a month after an accident, but this time the team decided only a review of procedures was necessary.
"Safety is paramount in everything we do," said Lt. Col. Mike Chandler, Thunderbird #1 and team commander. "After our incident Saturday we reviewed our procedures and will continue the season."
The Thunderbirds are the headline event at the airshow, which will be held Sept. 17 and 18 at Mountain Home AFB. The USAF aerial demonstration team will conclude the show with their one and only performance the afternoon of Sept. 18.
Saturday's incident pointed out the dangers of the stunts flown by the team. During the last airshow on base, in 2003, one member of the team crashed.
"Every maneuver we do during our demonstration is designed and executed with safety as our first priority," said Colonel Chandler.
"After taking a deeper look at our flying procedures I have the utmost confidence in our safety for the crowd, our pilots and planes. Since we're satisfied with our procedures, we'll continue our season."
The Thunderbirds invited the public to "come out and watch a spectacular demonstration during the rest of our season."
Gunfighter Skies 2005, the region's largest air show, will feature modern military aircraft, vintage warbirds and professional aerobatic performers from across the country during the two days of activities at the base.
Admission and parking are free to the public.
In cooperation with the private non-profit Silver Wings organization, the airshow that shows off the modern USAF is held every two years.
Military aircraft are scheduled to perform and be on display.
In addition to the Thunderbirds, an F-15 demonstration team will perform, along with the Air Force Academy's "Wings of Blue" parachuting team.
Aircraft that will be on display will include that F-117A Nighthawk stealth fighter-bomber, a T-6A Texan II, and Mountain Home AFB's F-15C Eagle, F- 15E Strike Eagle and F- 16CJ Fighting Falcon aircraft.
Civilian aircraft scheduled to perform and be on display include:
* Ed Hamill and the Air Force Reserve Aerobatic Team.
* Idahoans Steve Appleton with his Hawker Hunter T7 and Greg Poe with his Edge 540.
* Eric Beard and the Russian Thunder Yak-54.
* Debbie Gary and her SIAI Marchetti, SF-260.
* Randy Harris and the Skybolt 300.
* Manfred Radius and his sailplane.
* Dan Buchanan and his "Flying Colors" hang glider.
Aircraft scheduled to be on display include:
* A-10 Thunderbolt
* EA-6B Prowler
* B-52 Stratofortress
* AH-64 Apache
* T-57 Tweet
* T-38 Talon
* Boeing 727
* C-5 Galaxy
* C-130 Hercules
* KC-135 Stratotanker
* P-40 Warhawk
* P-51 Mustang
* TBM Avenger
* Nanchang CJ6
* B-25 Mitchell Bomber
* UH-1 Huey
* LifeFlight helicopters
Other attractions include Neal Damell's 12,000 horsepower Flash Fire Jet Truck, a heritage hangar, the Air Form Academy falconer and several hands-on exhibits by the Air Force Recruiting Service.
Gates will open at 9 a.m. both days, with performances starting at 10 a.m.
The U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds will perform the weekend finale at 3.30 p.m. Sunday.
For more information, visit Mountain Home AFB's air show website at:
www.mountainhome.af.mil/airshow,
or SilverWings of Idaho's website at: