The Thunderbirds fighter-jet precision flying team will perform over Waikiki in September as part of a week of festivities celebrating the Air Force's 60th birthday.

Gen. Paul V. Hester, the Air Force's top commander in the Pacific, told Honolulu civic leaders yesterday that the elite flying squadron would be visiting the Islands for the first time in about a decade.

"We're going to bring the Thunderbirds to you," Hester said. "We don't want you to take off that bathing suit to come and see the Thunderbirds; we just want you to roll over and have your eyes looking up on the beach at Waikiki."

The Thunderbirds are scheduled to perform Sept. 15.

Also as part of the celebrations, the Air Force plans to send more than 1,000 airmen from Hickam Air Force Base to O'ahu public schools to read to children and meet students.

It will later bring to Hickam about 1,200 students taking Advanced Placement math and science courses at O'ahu public high schools so they can see the practical applications of their studies.