Page 1 - Desert Lightning News, Nellis-Creech AFB Edition, January 21, 2022

vol. 5, no. 2 Serving Southern Nevada’s military community, including Nellis, Creech and NTTR Jan 21, 2022

An Aerotech news And review publicAtion • www.Aerotechnews.com

Thunderbirds

kick-off

inaugural

Training Trip

Air Force photograph by Tech. Sgt. Nicolas A. Meyers
The U.S. Air Force Air Demonstration Squadron “Thunderbirds” takeoff for their first
flight during this year’s winter training trip Jan. 11, 2022 at Spaceport America, Truth or
Consequences, N.M. This is the team’s first winter training trip in its history and time will
be split between Spaceport America, N.M., and Fort Huachuca, Ariz.

by Staff Sgt. Laurel Richards multiple locations based on aerospace
Truth or Consequences, N.M. availability, geographical location, and
site surveys. In previous years, the Thun-
The U.S. Air Force Air Demonstra- derbirds hosted training at their home
tion Squadron “Thunderbirds” kicked base, Nellis Air Force Base, Nev.
off their first ever winter training trip in “This is our top priority for the 2022 Air Force photograph by Tech. Sgt. Nicolas A. Meyers
Truth or Consequences, New Mexico, training season. It’s crucial that we take Lt. Col. Justin “Astro” Elliott, U.S. Air Force Air Demonstration Squadron “Thunderbirds”
Jan. 10. advantage of this unique opportunity commander and leader, prepares to debrief after the team’s maiden winter training
The Thunderbirds’ training season, to set the tone for our 2022 show season trip flight Jan. 11, 2022 at Spaceport America, Truth or Consequences, N.M. This winter
ranging from November through March, and future training seasons,” said Lt. Col. training trip is the first in the team’s history and provides an opportunity for the team
is a time to integrate and synchronize as Justin Elliott, Thunderbirds commander to practice in different environments.
a team and practice the demonstration. and leader.
This year, the month-long winter train- The move was made to increase aero- “The show season subjects the team to The team’s first training site is Space-
ing trip will take place in two locations: space opportunity and flexibility for the difficult and ever-changing environ- port America, located just outside of Truth
Truth or Consequences, N.M., and Fort team’s training needs, while also allow- ments both in the air and on the ground. or Consequences, N.M. The location
Huachuca, Ariz. ing them to practice in conditions of Training in new and different environ- boasts 6,000 square miles of restricted
Leadership from the Thunderbirds increasing difficulty. ments will allow the team to exercise airspace, low population density, a 12,000-
and the 57th Fighter Wing made the “These two locations are excellent the necessary muscles to ensure our foot runway, and 340 days of sunshine and
landmark decision to have an off-station training environments, each serving demonstration is precise despite chang- _
winter training trip after assessing different purposes,” said Lt. Col. Elliott. ing conditions.” See Thunderbirds, on Page 5