Thunderbirds announce 2010 officer selections

by United States Air Force Air Demonstration Squadron Public Affairs

6/10/2009 - NELLIS AIR FORCE BASE, Nev. -- The United States Air Force Air Demonstration Squadron, commonly known as the 'Thunderbirds,' announced incoming officer selections for the 2010 demonstration season.

They are:

- Lt. Col. Case Cunningham, serving at Tyndall Air Force Base, Fla., will join the team as the 33rd Commander/Leader of the "Ambassadors in Blue."

- Capt. Chad Shenk, stationed at Seymour Johnson AFB, N.C., will serve as the Right Wing for the squadron as Thunderbird No. 3.

- Capt. Paul Jelinek, stationed at Luke AFB, Ariz., will take over as the Opposing Solo, Thunderbird No. 6.

- Maj. John Gallemore, serving at Hill AFB, Utah, will join the team as the Advance Pilot/Narrator, Thunderbird No. 8.

- Capt. Thomas Bowden, currently stationed at Little Rock AFB, Ark., will become the new Flight Surgeon, as Thunderbird No. 9.

"All Thunderbirds are hand-selected based on a proven record of service, capabilities in their field and a demonstrated commitment to excellence that matches the nearly 700,000 Airmen we strive to represent daily," said Lt Col. Greg Thomas, squadron commander/leader and Thunderbird No. 1.

The 2010 selection of Colonel Cunningham, an F-22 pilot, marks the first time in history that a Raptor pilot has been chosen to join the Thunderbirds. Pilots selected for the team flying different airframes will undergo several months of F-16 familiarization training before they begin practicing the aerial demonstrations the Thunderbirds are known for.

"Each year many great Airmen apply to serve with the Thunderbirds," Colonel Thomas said. "We select the most qualified individuals to join the team based on their overall capabilities and ability to represent all Airmen."

The Thunderbirds are currently touring in their 56th year as the Air Force's premier jet demonstration team. The 130-person squadron represents 700,000 active duty, Guard, Reserve and civil service Airmen serving at home and abroad. Visit www.airforce.com/thunderbirds to learn more about the Thunderbirds.