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Thunderbirds scheduled for Charleston Air Expo 2011

  • Published
  • By 315th Airlift Wing Public Affairs
JOINT BASE CHARLESTON, S.C. --  The U.S. Air Force Demonstration Squadron "Thunderbirds", members of the 57th Wing at Nellis Air Force Base, Las Vegas, Nev., released their 2011 schedule of appearances to include the Charleston Air Expo April 9.  

The squadron is an Air Combat Command unit composed of eight pilots (including six demonstration pilots), four support officers, four civilians and approximately 110 enlisted Airmen performing in more than 29 Air Force specialties.

America's "Ambassadors in Blue" promise a memorable show featuring their new, uniquely designed 2010 Thunderbirds emblem paying tribute to the wing and warfighter.

Last year's Charleston Air Expo was canceled because of increased operations and personnel tempos in support of Operation Enduring Freedom.

This year's schedule includes 73 performances across the United States and Canada, providing spectators a first-hand view of what their Airmen are accomplishing around the world every day.

The Thunderbirds continue to carry on the tradition of displaying the Air Force's air superiority since their formation in 1953. 

Stay up to date with the 315th Airlift Wing at http://www.315aw.afrc.af.mil/ and visit often for more details about the 2011 Charleston Air Expo.  The event is free and open to the general public.  Follow the 315 AW on Facebook and Twitter.

The 2011 schedule is as follows:

Mar 19 - 20 Luke Air Force Base, Ariz.
Mar 26 - 27 Tyndall AFB, Fla.

April 2 - 3 Cieba, Puerto Rico
April 14 - 15 Eglin AFB, Fla.
April 9 Charleston AFB, S.C.
April 16 - 17 Seymour Johnson AFB, N.C.
April 30-May 1 Beale AFB, Calif

May 7 - 8 Smyrna, Tenn.
May 14 - 15 Langley AFB, Va
May 21 - 22 Andrews AFB, Md.
May 25 U.S. Air Force Academy, Colo.
(Invitation Only)

European Tour
June 4 -5 Cigli Air Base, Turkey
June 8 TBD.
June 11 - 12 Jesolo AB, Italy
June 15 Karup AB, Denmark
June 18 -19 Turku AB, Finland
June 21 Baltic's Flyover
June 25 Graf Ignatievo AB, Bulgaria
June 29 TBD

July 2 - 3 RAF Waddington, United Kingdom
July 6 - 7 Koksijde, Belgium
July 23 - 24 Dayton, Ohio
July 27 Cheyenne, Wyo.
July 30 - 31 Travis AFB, Calif.

Aug 6 - 7 Milwaukee, Wis.
Aug 13 -14 Portsmouth, N.H.
Aug 17 Atlantic City, N.J.
Aug 20 - 21 Chicago, Ill.
Aug 27 - 28 Waterloo, Iowa

Sept 3 - 5 Cleveland, Ohio
Sept 10 - 11 Niagara Falls, N.Y.
Sept 15 Reno, Nev.
Sept 17 - 18 Mountain Home AFB, Idaho
Sept 24 - 25 Hill AFB, Utah

Oct. 1 - 2 Fort Smith, Ark
Oct. 8 Holloman AFB, N.M.
Oct. 15 - 16 Laughlin AFB, Texas
Oct. 22 - 23 Fort Worth, Texas
Oct. 29 - 30 Lafayette, La.

Nov. 5 - 6 MacDill AFB, Fla
Nov. 12 - 13 Nellis AFB, Nev.