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U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds arrive in Fort Smith, prepare for upcoming air show

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class John Hillier
  • 188th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
FORT SMITH, Ark. --  The U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds Air Demonstration Squadron arrived at the 188th Fighter Wing Sept. 29 to prepare for its performance in the Fort Smith Air Show scheduled for Oct. 1-2.

The pilots conducted an aerial site survey of the base and airport facilities before landing to greet 188th Fighter Wing officials and members of the local media.

"We hope folks come out to have a lot of fun," said Capt. Ryan Riley, left wing pilot. "The demonstration is choreographed to patriotic music, and includes lots of smoke, and even some cockpit chatter,"

The Thunderbirds have added two new maneuvers to their repertoire, Capt. Riley said.

The Warrior Loop, which is to honor servicemembers deployed overseas, and the Delta Burst, in which the jets fly over the crowd and fan out leaving behind trails of red, white and blue smoke. He said the Delta Burst is quickly becoming a crowd favorite.

The team performs about 70 shows per year throughout the United States and Europe, said Maj. Aaron Jelinek, lead solo pilot.

The Thunderbirds are the headlining act at this year's Fort Smith Air Show. For more information about the show, visit www.airshowfortsmith.com or find us on Facebook.

U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds arrive in Fort Smith, prepare for upcoming air show

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class John Hillier
  • 188th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
FORT SMITH, Ark. --  The U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds Air Demonstration Squadron arrived at the 188th Fighter Wing Sept. 29 to prepare for its performance in the Fort Smith Air Show scheduled for Oct. 1-2.

The pilots conducted an aerial site survey of the base and airport facilities before landing to greet 188th Fighter Wing officials and members of the local media.

"We hope folks come out to have a lot of fun," said Capt. Ryan Riley, left wing pilot. "The demonstration is choreographed to patriotic music, and includes lots of smoke, and even some cockpit chatter,"

The Thunderbirds have added two new maneuvers to their repertoire, Capt. Riley said.

The Warrior Loop, which is to honor servicemembers deployed overseas, and the Delta Burst, in which the jets fly over the crowd and fan out leaving behind trails of red, white and blue smoke. He said the Delta Burst is quickly becoming a crowd favorite.

The team performs about 70 shows per year throughout the United States and Europe, said Maj. Aaron Jelinek, lead solo pilot.

The Thunderbirds are the headlining act at this year's Fort Smith Air Show. For more information about the show, visit www.airshowfortsmith.com or find us on Facebook.