Page 5 - Desert Lightning News, Nellis-Creech AFB Edition, January 21, 2022

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556th TES helped organize, clean up Nellis USO Thunderbirds, from Page 1 _________ Lt. Col. Justin “Astro” Elliott U.S.
Air Force Air Demonstration
low humidity. These favorable conditions, along
with entirely dedicated airspace, allow the team to Squadron “Thunderbirds”
commander and leader, leads
by Stuart Ibberson hone the demonstration before moving on to more the diamond formation during
editor challenging flying conditions and time constraints the team’s first winter training
like they might see during the show season. trip practice Jan. 11, 2022 at
On Dec. 30, 2021, the United Ser- Spaceport America, Truth or
After two weeks the team will move on to Fort
vice Organizations (USO) at Nellis Huachuca, Ariz., home to the U.S. Army Intelligence Consequences, N.M. This trip
Air Force Base, Nev., received help Center of Excellence, the U.S. Army Network Enter- provides dedicated airspace the
and support from members of the prise Technology Command (NETCOM)/9th Army team can use to practice for the
556th Test and Evaluation Squadron. Signal Command and more than 48 supported ten- upcoming airshow season.
Airmen with the 556th TES, based
at both Creech and Nellis Air Force ants. Fort Huachuca is comprised of 946 square miles
Bases, took the opportunity to give of restricted airspace and three runways, as well as
back and clean and help reorganize a mild winter and low humidity. This location, with
the Nellis USO. Known as the Crows, many mountains close by, will challenge the dem-
a team of more than 20 active duty onstration team in flight with different conditions,
military members from the squad- visuals, and a more rigid flying schedule like those RIGHT: Maj. Kyle “Gumbo”
ron volunteered their time and effort they’ll see during the show season. Oliver and Capt. Daniel
to refresh the Nellis USO and set the “We are extremely thankful for our hosts and “Thunder” Katz, United
USO team up for the New Year. counterparts at Spaceport America and Fort Hua- States Air Force Air
“After countless events and sup- chuca. This is a first for the Thunderbirds and it Demonstration Squadron
port given to the military commu- wouldn’t be possible without their partnership and “Thunderbirds” solo pilots,
nity, especially throughout these support.” perform a crossover break
trying times, the amazing, steadfast, After the inaugural training trip the team will during practice Jan. 11,
and dedicated Nellis USO team were continue on to train with the U.S. Navy Flight 2022 at Spaceport America,
rightfully on the opposite end of Demonstration Squadron, the Blue Angels, at Na- Truth or Consequences,
support they typically provide,” said val Air Facility El Centro, Calif., to exchange best N.M. Maj. Oliver has
a spokesperson for the Nellis USO. practices and lessons learned in preparation for the stepped into the lead solo
Nellis USO is located at Bldg. 2022 show season. position and Capt. Katz
324, and is open daily from 10 a.m.- For more information on the Thunderbirds, visit is filling Oliver’s previous
2 p.m. For more information, call air force.com/thunderbirds or follow us on social position as the team’s
725-210-2210. Courtesy photos media @afthunderbirds. opposing solo. Air Force photographs by Tech. Sgt. Nicolas A. Meyers

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