USA Patriotism! ... "Showcasing Pride of America"USA Store! ... American / Patriotic themed gift products at USA Patriotism!

Home - Articles - Heroes - Photos - Poems - Stories - Students - Music - Videos
Quotes - Speeches - References - Great Patriots - Honor Halls - Stars for Troops
USA's Birth - New Content
- About - Contact - Press
- CureNow - Donate
- Privacy

Click To Google Search USA Patriotism!
USA Patriotism! YouTube ChannelJoin / Like the USA Patriotism! Facebook pagePinterestLinkedInUSA Patriotism! Instagram ChannelUSA Patriotism! On TwitterUSA Patriotism! at Flickr

Patriotic Article
Troops and Veterans
By USAF TSgt. Randy Redman

Collectibles, apparel, and other gifts ... for Marines, Soldiers, Airmen, Sailors, and veterans! Checks with USA, military, and other patriotic designs Free Gifts from The Bradford Exchange Online
 
USA Flag

Thunderbirds Take Show Down Under
(October 5, 2009)

USA, military, and other patriotic themed pullover and button down Polo shirts

TOWNSVILLE, Australia (9/29/2009 - AFNS) -- The U.S. Air Force Aerial Demonstration Team, the Thunderbirds, took to the Australian sky Sept. 26 showcasing the power and precision that embodies Air Force Airmen worldwide.
The Air Force Thunderbirds flying in F-16 Fighting Falcons make their way to Townsville, Australia, Sept. 21, 2009, from Hickam Air Force Base Hawaii.
The Air Force Thunderbirds flying in F-16 Fighting Falcons make their way to Townsville, Australia, Sept. 21, 2009, from Hickam Air Force Base Hawaii. U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Kristi Machado
Flying wingtip-to-wingtip formations and in solo maneuvers, the Thunderbirds put on a show for a crowd of more than 70,000 spectators lining the beach in Townsville and filling the balconies of hotels for miles around.

"When I was 12, I actually had a Thunderbirds replica model," said Jason Bitossi, a local man who enjoyed the Thunderbirds' recent visit "down under" with his son, Kyle.

The Thunderbirds typically travel from mid-March to Mid-November in the continental United States, and only travel overseas semi-annually. It's been more than a decade since the Thunderbirds performed in Australia; however, the airshow was about much more than the aerial demonstration. While hundreds of man-hours went into the planning and execution of the show, the relationship between America and Australia goes back much further.

"Many people don't realize that Australia is the only ally that has stood shoulder-to-shoulder with America in every conflict dating back to World War I," said Maj. Tony Mulhare, the Thunderbirds advance pilot/narrator. "This airshow is an opportunity to strengthen bonds that date back nearly a century."

Indeed, right now there are Australian soldiers, sailors and airmen deployed to locations throughout the Middle East in support of coalition forces. The Royal Australian Air Force has provided fighter jets as well as combat airlift capability during operations in Southwest Asia. The RAAF also provided a location in Australia for the Thunderbirds to park the jets and perform scheduled maintenance.

Townsville Air Force Base officials welcomed the public with an open house Sept. 27, giving locals and tourists alike an up-close experience of the Thunderbirds. In addition to the Thunderbirds, RAAF aircraft on static display included the F-111, F-18, and the DHC-4 Caribou.

"It's such a thrill to be able to meet the pilots we saw flying yesterday," said Miranda Ryan, a camp counselor who brought more than 20 children out to the base to get up close and personal with the pilots and support personnel.

The Townsville Air Show is the second stop on the Thunderbirds' Far East tour following two performances in Hawaii. The six-week tour also includes stops scheduled for Malaysia, Thailand, Japan and South Korea.

By USAF TSgt. Randy Redman
U.S. Air Force Aerial Demonstration Team Public Affairs
Copyright 2009

Reprinted from Air Force News Service

Comment on this article

USA Gifts Store! ... over 1,000 American / Patriotic themed products at USA Patriotism! USA / Americana theme ... polo shirts, t-shirts, shorts, hats, caps, swimwear, sweatshirts, hoodies, hats, jackets, under garments, and other apparel items American Pride: Poems Honoring America and Her Patriots! by David G. Bancroft