All are pertinent to mission success, but just as important are the people who ensure pilots and maintainers have the resources necessary to fly, fight and win. Behind the scenes of the U.S. Air Force Air Demonstration Squadron, there are nearly 30 people directly supporting the Thunderbird mission.
Operations consists of seven enlisted members.
Joyce Langston, the team's air demonstration coordinator. We also have two operations specialists who ensure pilot publications and itinerarie sare updated, and schedule air space for practices. Three life support specialists are assigned to operations, and are responsible for the upkeep of all flying equipment such as helmets, masks,harnesses, and G-suits. They also inspect parachutes and survival kits in ejection seats and provide extensive training to incentive, media and orientation flyers. An officer and five enlisted specialists work in public affairs.