Sneak Peek at the Thunderbirds
Being a member of Angelo State’s AFROTC Detachment 847 requires extra effort and dedication from students, but it can also provide them some exciting perks.
About a dozen ROTC cadets and faculty were treated to an exclusive visit with the Air Force Thunderbirds precision flight team while they were in San Angelo for the 2008 Air Fiesta air show at Mathis Field Airport. The visit included a presentation by maintenance and public affairs crew members and a sneak peek at the F-16C “Fighting Falcon” airplanes.
“The really unique thing about it is they got to have an up-close look at the aircraft,” said Col. Mike Buck, Detachment 847 commander. “They also got to meet some of the pilots and crew members to see what kind of effort it takes to put on a show. It wasn’t easy for them to squeeze us in, so we truly appreciate them taking a little bit of time out for us.”
One particularly interested observer was Cadet Col. Matt Sevey, a senior from Midland. Sevey leaves in June for Air Force flight training at Vance AFB in Oklahoma.
“It’s interesting seeing how really complex some of these machines are and how much time and effort it takes to get them in the air,” Sevey said. “Also, to see how powerful our Air Force can be when it wants to be. I can’t wait to get up there.”
Following the presentation, Thunderbirds crew members distributed their new logo patches to the students and a signed copy of the team’s new 2008 lithograph for display in the detachment office.
However, the ROTC members were not the only Angelo State representatives at the airport. ASU alum Maj. Mike Schultz flew in an A-10 “Warthog” fighter/bomber that will be on display at the air show. He gave the cadets a tour of the aircraft and will be spending more time with them at the show. Schultz is currently serving in the Air Force Reserves at Barksdale AFB in Bossier City, La.
Lt. David Mitchell, a 2004 ASU graduate, is also flying in a T-37 trainer aircraft for display at the air show. Mitchell is currently a flight instructor for the EURO/NATO Joint Jet Pilot Training Program at Sheppard AFB near Wichita Falls.
