Hickam eyes to rise for Thunderbirds
By William Cole
Advertiser Military Writer
The Air Force's red, white and blue Thunderbirds will be showing off their close-quarters acrobatic skills at Hickam Air Force Base's Friends and Neighbors Weekend Aug. 9 and 10.
U.S. Air Force photo
The event could draw the biggest turnout ever at the base, with 100,000 people expected during the two-day show.
The two solo pilots perform a "Blue Out" from the six-jet formation in the opening "act" of the Thunderbird show. The jets will scream over Hickam Aug. 9 and 10.
It will be the first time since 1995 — the show was over Waikiki that year — that the six-jet team will appear in Hawai'i and the first time the unit will demonstrate maneuvers such as the split "S," diamond cloverloop, and smoke-filled crossover break in the skies above Hickam.
Among the crowd wowzers to expect: a formation of four jets nearly wingtip to wingtip, one flying inverted just above another, and a .98-Mach low-altitude "sneak pass" that's practically a blur.
Base officials are using the draw of the Thunderbirds, now in their 50th year, to stage static aircraft displays, bands ranging from Jeff Said No! to the Air Force Band of the Pacific, and youth hula, gymnastics and cheerleading demonstrations.
"Friends and Neighbors Weekend — the true intent is basically giving back to the community," said base spokesman Lt. Paradon Silpasornprasit. "We're part of the community, and it's giving back so the community can get an idea of what we have here, and what we do here."
Hickam scheduled the Thunderbirds for a 2001 show, but the 9-11 terrorist attacks cancelled that one.
Among the dozens of aircraft and helicopters that will be on display are the black F-117A stealth fighter, B-1B Lancer and B-52 bombers, and a complete representation of Air Force transport, including a C-130, a C-141B, C-5, and C-17A Globemaster III.
Hickam is to get its first squadron of the latest-generation C-17 jet transports in 2005, and ground crew and pilots will answer questions about the aircraft.
Silpasornprasit said a "tent city" at the show area will give the public "an idea of what deployed personnel actually live out of, what the conditions are they may encounter," he said.
The Air Force's air demonstration team, designated the 3600th Air Demonstration Unit, was activated on May 25, 1953 at Luke Air Force Base in Arizona.
The name Thunderbirds was adopted based on Indian culture and folklore of the Southwest.
Thunderbirds first flew the F-84G straight-wing Thunderjet, and now use the F-16C Fighting Falcon, which has the 20 mm cannon and ammo drum removed for a smoke system. The aircraft can be returned to combat status within 72 hours, the Air Force said.
The Thunderbirds will perform from about 4 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. on Aug. 9 and 10.
It's free. The base gates will open to the public at 10 a.m. and close at 6 p.m.
On-base parking is available, but very limited, and base officials urge car-pooling.
For a list of events and other information, visit http://www2.hickam.af.mil/cs/fnw.htm.
Reach William Cole at wcole@honoluluadvertiser.com or 525-5459.
