The U.S. Air Force’s “Thunderbirds” Air Demonstration Squadron is conducting winter coaching in New Mexico and Arizona this month, marking the primary off-station winter coaching session for the group.
Earlier this month, the squadron launched a two-week coaching session at Spaceport America close to Truth or Consequences, New Mexico, and is ready to start one other two-week session in Ft. Huachuca, Arizona, on January 24, based on a Thunderbirds spokesperson.
The Thunderbirds sometimes prepare from November by March. The resolution to coach off-site from their house base at Nellis Air Force Base, Nevada, was made as a way to enable the group to apply in incrementally harder situations, in addition to to extend aerospace alternative and suppleness for coaching, the Air Force stated.
“It’s crucial that we take advantage of this unique opportunity to set the tone for our 2022 show season and future training seasons,” Lt. Col. Justin Elliott, Thunderbirds commander and chief, stated in an announcement.
The two areas provide benefits in getting ready for the number of flight demonstration environments, Elliott stated.
Spaceport America, the place the Thunderbirds have been in coaching since January 10, affords 6,000 sq. miles of restricted airspace, has a 12,000-foot runway, and low inhabitants density. The New Mexico location additionally has sunshine and low humidity greater than 90 p.c of the yr.
“These favorable conditions, along with entirely dedicated airspace, allow the team to hone the demonstration before moving on to more challenging flying conditions and time constraints like they might see during the show season,” the Air Force stated.
The Ft. Huachuca location options 946 sq. miles of restricted airspace and three runways.
“This location, with many mountains close by, will challenge the demonstration team in flight with different conditions, visuals, and a more rigid flying schedule like those they’ll see during the show season,” the Air Force stated.
“These two locations are excellent training environments, each serving different purposes,” Elliott stated. “Training in new and different environments will allow the team to exercise the necessary muscles to ensure our demonstration is precise despite changing conditions.”
After the coaching journey, the Thunderbirds are set to proceed coaching with the Blue Angels, the Navy’s flight demonstration squadron, at Naval Air Facility El Centro in California.
