2016 Teak Air Show Guide Now Available

Every year, from March through November, millions of people hit the road to watch the excitement and thrills as military and civilian flight demonstration teams put their high performance aircraft through the paces to entertain the crowds and perform at air shows all over the world. Anyone who has attended one of these events will tell you it is thrilling to watch the close quarter flying of the Blue Angels delta formation or the hair-splitting maneuvers of the Thunderbird opposing solos.

 

While attending the show and enjoying the sights and sounds is an exciting experience that is only half the fun. You can add another whole dimension to that visual experience by monitoring the performing teams’ radio communications.

 

With a radio scanner in hand you will experience a whole new perspective of the show that few of the attendees will ever experience – pilot audio from the aircraft cockpit. While everyone else at the air show is just watching and listening to the public address system narrator, you’ll be able to hear what’s happening inside the cockpit, up in the tower and on the ground with the hundreds of players that keep these screaming, state of-the-art air machines thundering through the skies.

 

But you can’t tell the players without a program, and to indulge in the craft of monitoring the air show experience you need a current and well researched list of frequencies that the various performers may use during their performances.

 

In our new expanded 2016 Teak Air Show Guide e-Book, former Monitoring Times Editor and Milcom columnist Larry Van Horn - N5FPW, delivers the hundreds of frequencies you’ll need to monitor the action if you’re within receiving distance of any air show in 2016.

 

From the Blue Angels and Thunderbirds, military parachute and search and rescue demonstration teams, to a wide variety of other military and civilian demonstration teams from the U.S. and abroad, Larry has updated the list of frequencies each unit has used. Now you can bring the excitement you see at the show to your ears. Listening to the nonstop action at the air show on dozens of radio frequencies is part of the real fun of being there.

 

But wait, there’s more! Larry also tells you which scanners work best at the air shows, what features you’ll need and which models can cover the military as well as civilian frequencies used at these events. There is also a chapter on tips for enjoying a great day at the air show.

 

You will also get frequency lists for other possible frequencies that may be used at the air show including GMRS, Family Radio Service (FRS), DoD Intra-Squad Radio frequencies, and even Civil Air Patrol VHF/UHF frequencies and updated call signs. We also include in this eBook an up-to-date air show Internet resource guide and new frequencies/ listings for overseas military and civilian aeronautical demonstrations teams.

 

Finally you will get the latest air show schedules for the Navy Blue Angels, Air Force Thunderbirds, Canadian Forces Snowbirds, and the Army Golden Knight Parachute Teams. We include with each show location, the Internet link for each show, and the latest aero frequencies for each facility hosting a show, when known. This schedule information only covers the United States and Canada.

 

This is the 17th edition of this popular frequency monitoring guide published by the author. The first fourteen editions appeared annually each March in the pages of the former Monitoring Times magazine and were one of the most popular features carried in the magazine. This edition of the Teak Air Show Guide is now weighs-in at 197 pages and it is the most comprehensive collection of air show information and frequencies ever published for the radio listening hobbyist.

 

The 2016 Teak Air Show Guide is now available for purchase worldwide from Amazon.com at http://www.amazon.com/dp/B01AVLCGU4. The price for this third e-Book edition is still only US$3.99. Since this book is being released internationally, Amazon customers in the United Kingdom, Germany, France Spain, Italy, Japan, India, Canada, Brazil, Mexico and Australia can order this e-Book from Amazon websites directly servicing these countries. All other countries can use the regular Amazon.com website.

 

When the T-Birds, Blue Angels, and all the other precision flight teams are in the air, Larry has all the frequencies you need to hear them on the air in this new e-Book from Teak Publishing!

 

Here are a couple of the 5-Star Amazon reviews on the 2015 Teak Air Show Guide.

 

Totally thrilled to prep with the latest edition By Edward Sikora

Whether you're new to this hobby (as I was 2 years ago) or experienced you need reliable resources of information and frequencies. When I started, I was sure I could find my answers on the internet. I didn't think a book would be very useful or up to date. Five air shows later, I'm totally sold on this book. I'm delighted and excited to have the latest copy to prep for upcoming shows. It's a highly detailed road map to where the good stuff is. I haven't found any other resource that even comes close. What a masterpiece of organization and reliable information. This book provides so many answers where the rest of the internet gives you too little, too late. This book is totally awesome! - KB2OB Ed NJ

 

Air Show scanner GO TO GUIDE By Kevin Burke

Larry has been THE go to guy when it comes to air show frequencies for years, but you need more than just a bunch of numbers to enter into a scanner. No problem if you have this book, Larry tells you what your scanner has to be capable of, in order to open your ears to all there is to hear at an air show

 

Frequency updates, correction and late additions between editions of this e-Book will be posted on his Milcom Monitoring Post blog at http://mt-milcom.blogspot.com/.

 

For a complete list of all the authors books, go to his Amazon authors page at http://www.amazon.com/-/e/B00G1QMO4C.

 

You do not even need to own a Kindle reader to read Amazon e-book publications. You can read any Kindle book with Amazon’s free reading apps. There are free Kindle reading apps for the Kindle Cloud Reader, Smartphones (iPhone, iTouch, Android, Windows Phone and Blackberry); computer platforms (Windows XP, Vista, 7 and 8 and Mac); Tablets (iPad, Android and Windows 8), and, of course, all of the Kindle family of readers including the Kindle Fire series. A Kindle e-book allows you to buy your book once and read it anywhere. You can find additional details on these apps by checking out this link to the Amazon website at http://www.amazon.com/gp/feature.html?ie=UTF8&docId=1000493771.

 

For additional information on this and other Teak Publishing radio hobby books, monitor the company sponsored Internet blogs – the Milcom Monitoring Post blog(http://mt-milcom.blogspot.com/), the Btown Monitor Post blog (http://monitor-post.blogspot.com/), and the Shortwave Central blog (http://mt-shortwave.blogspot.com/) for availability of additional e-books that are currently in production.

 

You can learn more about the author by going to his author page on Amazon at http://www.amazon.com/-/e/B00G1QMO4C.

 

 

2015 Air Show Guide Now Available

Every year, from March through November, millions of people hit the road to watch the excitement and thrills as military and civilian flight demonstration teams put their high performance aircraft through the paces to entertain the crowds and perform at air shows all over the world. Anyone who has attended one of these events will tell you it is thrilling to watch the close quarter flying of the Blue Angels delta formation or the hair-splitting maneuvers of the Thunderbird opposing solos.

While attending the show and enjoying the sights and sounds is an exciting experience that is only half the fun. You can add another whole dimension to that visual experience by monitoring the performing teams’ radio communications.

With a radio scanner in hand you will experience a whole new perspective of the show that few of the attendees will ever experience – pilot audio from the aircraft cockpit. While everyone else at the air show is just watching and listening to the public address system narrator, you’ll be able to hear what’s happening inside the cockpit, up in the tower and on the ground with the hundreds of players that keep these screaming, state of-the-art air machines thundering through the skies.

But you can’t tell the players without a program, and to indulge in the craft of monitoring the air show experience you need a current and well researched list of frequencies that the various performers may use during their performances.

In our new Teak Publishing 2015 Air Show Guide eBook, former Monitoring Times Editor and Milcom columnist Larry Van Horn - N5FPW, delivers the hundreds of frequencies you’ll need to monitor the action if you’re within receiving distance of any air show in 2015.

From the Blue Angels and Thunderbirds, military parachute and search and rescue demonstration teams, to a wide variety of other military and civilian demonstration teams from the U.S. and abroad, Larry has the list of frequencies each unit has used. Now you can bring the excitement you see at the show to your ears. Listening to the nonstop action at the air show on dozens of radio frequencies is part of the real fun of being there.

But wait, there’s more! Larry also tells you which scanners work best at the air shows, what features you’ll need and which models can cover the military as well as civilian frequencies used at these events. There is also a chapter on tips for enjoying a great day at the air show.

You will also get frequency lists for other possible frequencies that may be used at the air show including GMRS, Family Radio Service (FRS), DoD Intra-Squad Radio frequencies, and even Civil Air Patrol VHF/UHF frequencies and call signs. We also include in this eBook an up-to-date air show Internet resource guide and frequency listings for overseas military and civilian aeronautical demonstrations teams.

Finally you will get the latest air show schedules for the Navy Blue Angels, Air Force Thunderbirds, Canadian Forces Snowbirds and the Army Golden Knight Parachute Teams. We include with each show location, the latest air traffic control frequencies for each facility hosting a show, when known. This schedule information only covers the United States and Canada.

This is the 16th edition of this popular frequency monitoring guide published by the author. The first fourteen editions appeared annually each March in the pages of the former Monitoring Times magazine and were one of the most popular features carried in the magazine. This edition of the Teak Publishing Air Show Guide is the most comprehensive collection of air show information and frequencies currently published for the radio listening hobbyist.

The Teak Publishing 2015 Air Show Guide is now available for purchase worldwide from Amazon.com at http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00R6QG7GW/. The price for this second eBook edition is US$3.99. Since this book is being released internationally, Amazon customers in the United Kingdom, Germany, France Spain, Italy, Japan, India, Canada, Brazil, Mexico and Australia can order this e-Book from Amazon websites directly servicing these countries. All other countries can use the regular Amazon.com website.

When the T-Birds, Blue Angels, and all the other precision flight teams are in the air, Larry has all the frequencies you need to hear them on the air in this new eBook from Teak Publishing!

Frequency updates, correction and late additions between editions of this e-Book will be posted on his Milcom Monitoring Post blog at: http://mt-milcom.blogspot.com/.

You do not even need to own a Kindle reader to read Amazon e-book publications. You can read any Kindle book with Amazon’s free reading apps. There are free Kindle reading apps for the Kindle Cloud Reader, Smartphones (iPhone, iTouch, Android, Windows Phone and Blackberry); computer platforms (Windows XP, Vista, 7 and 8 and Mac); Tablets (iPad, Android and Windows 8), and, of course, all of the Kindle family of readers including the Kindle Fire series. A Kindle e-book allows you to buy your book once and read it anywhere. You can find additional details on these apps by checking out this link to the Amazon website at www.amazon.com/gp/feature.html?ie=UTF8&docId=1000493771.

For additional information on this and other Teak Publishing radio hobby books, monitor the company sponsored Internet blogs – The Military Monitoring Post (http://mt-milcom.blogspot.com/), The Btown Monitor Post (http://monitor-post.blogspot.com/) and The Shortwave Central (http://mt-shortwave.blogspot.com/) for availability of additional e-books that are currently in production.
You can learn more about the author by going to his author page on Amazon at http://www.amazon.com/-/e/B00G1QMO4C.

US Air Force Thunderbirds Release 2014 Schedule

 

The Thunderbirds have the privilege and responsibility to perform for people all around the world, displaying the pride, precision and professionalism of American Airmen. In every hour-long demonstration, the team combines years of training and experience with an attitude of excellence to showcase what the Air Force is all about.
The sharply choreographed, drill-style ground ceremony kicks off the demonstration by showcasing the attention to detail and esprit de corps that defines our enlisted members. As the jets take to the skies and fly only a few feet from wingtip to wingtip, the crowd gets a glimpse of the awesome skills and capabilities that all fighter pilots must possess. The solo pilots integrate their own loud and proud routine, exhibiting some of the maximum capabilities of the F-16 Fighting Falcon – the Air Force’s premier multi-role fighter jet.

The flying unit, officially known as the U.S. Air Force Air Demonstration Squadron, will perform its first public flyover of 2014 at the opening of the Tournament of Roses Parade in Pasadena, Calif., on Jan. 1. The remainder of the schedule is as follows:

Feb. 23: Daytona International Speedway, Daytona Beach, Fla.
March 9: Las Vegas Motor Speedway, Las Vegas, Nev.
March 15-16: Luke AFB, Ariz.
March 22-23: MacDill AFB, Fla.
March 29-30: Punta Gorda, Fla.
April 5-6: Columbus AFB, Miss.
April 12-13: Davis-Monthan AFB, Ariz.
April 26-27: Barksdale AFB, La.
May 3-4: Travis AFB, Calif.
May 10-11: Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, N.J.
May 17-18: Youngstown Air Reserve Base, Ohio
May 24-25: Cannon AFB, N.M.
May 28: U.S. Air Force Academy, Colo.
May 31 – June 1: Fairchild AFB, Wash.
June 7-8: Rockford, Ill.
June 14-15: Ocean City, Md.
June 21-22: Tinker AFB, Okla.
June 28-29: Hill AFB, Utah
July 5-6: Battle Creek, Mich.
July 12-13: Fair Oaks, In.
July 15: Target Field, Minneapolis, Minn.
July 23: Cheyenne, Wyo.
July 26-27: JB Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska
Aug. 2-3: Oshkosh, Wis.
Aug. 9-10: Ypsilanti, Mich.
Aug. 13: Atlantic City, N.J.
Aug. 16-17: Rochester, N.Y.
Aug. 23-24: Waterloo, Iowa
Aug. 30-31: Kalispell, Mont.
Sep. 13-14: Altus AFB, Okla.
Sep. 20-21: Mountain Home AFB, Idaho
Sep. 27-28: Salinas, Calif.
Oct. 4-5: Melbourne, Fla.
Oct. 11-12: Daytona Beach, Fla.
Oct. 18-19: Rome, Ga.
Oct. 25-26: Ft. Worth, Texas
Nov. 1-2: Santa Teresa, N.M.
Nov. 9-10: Nellis AFB, Nev.

USAF Thunderbirds to resume limited training flights

NELLIS AIR FORCE BASE, Nev. -- Temporary funding for flying hours has been restored, allowing the U.S. Air Force Air Demonstration Squadron to resume training flights again through the end of fiscal year 2013.

The team will not resume aerial demonstrations previously scheduled for the 2013 calendar year.

Gen. Mike Hostage, Air Combat Command commander, announced July 15 the temporary restoration of flying hours that will be allocated to combat aircraft and crews across the command's operational and test units, including the Thunderbirds. Due to sequestration, the team cancelled participation in air shows and stopped flying in April.

While the return to the skies means a return to crucial training and development for Thunderbirds pilots and maintainers, the leader of the Combat Air Forces' fleet cautions that this is the beginning of the process, not the end.

"Since April, we've been in a precipitous decline with regard to combat readiness," Hostage said. "Returning to flying is an important first step, but what we have ahead of us is a measured climb to recovery."

The restoration of flying hours only addresses the next two and half months of flying up until Oct. 1. Lt.Col. Greg Moseley, commander and leader of the Thunderbirds, clarifies that the return to flying does not mean the team has been cleared to resume performing demonstrations. The team will resume training flights with the anticipation that it may be able to resume a limited number of aerial demonstrations next calendar year.

"We have a long road ahead of us and will take it one day at a time," Moseley said. "This is the first step in safely returning the squadron to a mission-ready status."

In an effort to maximize training while anticipating limited 2014 funding, ACC has also announced an extension of the tour length for officers currently serving with the Thunderbirds.
Moseley says the decision was difficult but necessary.

"It takes a significant amount of training to get our pilots qualified to safely execute with the team," Moseley said. "Faced with limited funding in the future, we have to take every opportunity to ensure we put on a safe demonstration. Capitalizing on the experience we currently have is the right thing to do from a safety perspective, and it's the right thing to do from a fiscal perspective."

The 12 officer positions on the team are two-year tours of duty. By design, the position openings are staggered, allowing the squadron to maintain continuity of experience and leadership. This year, Thunderbirds 1,3, 6 and 8 were hired. The Thunderbirds announced the selection of these new officers in April. The decision to keep the current team rescinds this hiring announcement; the officers currently serving on the team will serve a third year.

Thunderbirds fans in the Las Vegas area should see the red, white and blue jets take to the sky in the next few days.

DoD Military Air Show Participation Cnx Rest of 2013

 

Courtesy of FoxNews.com via a story By Perry Chiaramonte

The Blue Angels, the Navy's revered aerial acrobats, have been grounded for the rest of the year due to sequestration cuts.

The Navy announced the cancellation Tuesday of over 30 shows for the stunt-flying team that were planned through November, citing budget cuts imposed by the Department of Defense.

“The Navy has cancelled the remaining 2013 performances of its Flight Demonstration Squadron, the Blue Angels. The Squadron will continue to train to maintain flying proficiency until further notice at its home station in Pensacola,” a statement from Navy officials said. “Recognizing budget realities, current Defense policy states that outreach events can only be supported with local assets at no cost to the government.”

The Navy is following in the steps of the Air Force, which last month cancelled all remaining shows for its stunt team, the Thunderbirds, and the Army, which cancelled remaining 2013 shows for its parachute skydiving team, the Golden Knights.
Navy officials add that the cancellation is not only due in part to the sequester, but also from a DOD policy to prioritize funding for Armed Forces.
The cancellation of the Blue Angels season, the first since the Korean War, will save the Department of Defense between $20 million and $25 million.

Read more: http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2013/04/09/blue-angels-will-soar-no-more-in-2013-due-to-sequester/#ixzz2Q9MurcDy

Blue and TBirds Grounded Due to Sequestration

With $85 billion in automatic cuts that took effect on Friday, millions of fans across the country will likely miss out on the precision flying team's thrilling shows this year.

Blue Angels shows scheduled in more than two dozen cities between April and September are expected to be canceled as part of the cuts, said the team's spokeswoman, Lieutenant Katie Kelly. Some shows featuring the Blue Angels already have been called off in the face of budget uncertainties.

Air shows scheduled for May at Seymour Johnson Air Force Base in North Carolina, and for June in Indianapolis, already have been canceled, organizers and U.S. Air Force officials announced in recent weeks.

The Air Force said its Thunderbirds exhibition flying team is expected to be grounded if the so-called sequestration cuts happen.

Another T-Bird Frequency Update

As folks attend air shows this season we continue to receive frequency reports from the field on frequencies that have been heard or uncovered by the various air show performers. We use these reports, including reports that verify the frequencies in our annual MT Air Show Guide, to compile the next guide that will be released in the March 2013 MT.

This latest report comes from another north easterner Brian Topolski. During the Atlantic City air show, “Thunder Over The Boardwalk.” According to Brian "the Thunderbirds were providing a live video feed from inside the jet cockpit to a huge video screen on the Atlantic City boardwalk. Their comm-cart was set up directly on the boardwalk and I was able to get a close look at it. I noticed a rack mounted receiver, and a screen readout of: (CH-3) 4845.0 MHz."

Brian confirmed with one of the team members that the frequency listed above on the comm-cart was providing the video feed.

So this will be an interesting frequency range to explore. Wonder whether the frequency is analog NTSC or the newer digital standard video used by US television stations these days?

That is it for this report. If you attend an air show this season we want to hear from you. Even if the freqs you monitored are in our guide, your report is still valuable to us to confirm and verify the current frequencies being used by the various air show performers. You can reach us in the address in the masthead.

73 and good hunting de Larry

New USAF Thunderbird VHF Frequency

Our good friend in the Northeast and MT contributor US Kevin Burke has uncovered and confirmed a new USAF Thunderbird Flight Demonstration Team VHF frequency - 141.175 MHz.

Here are some other VHF Air frequencies that you should have programmed in that scanner of you are a milair monitor:

138.4375 138.550 138.600 138.625 138.750 138.950 139.000 139.300* 139.600 139.700** 139.900 140.200 140.500 141.175 142.300* 142.600 142.700 142.800 142.900 143.000 143.600 143.725 143.750 MHz

* indicates a PTD freq
** indicated a Air Def freq

USAF Thunderbirds 2012 Official Airshow Schedule Update 2

by Tech. Sgt. Jake Richmond
U.S. Air Force Air Demonstration Squadron Public Affairs

NELLIS AIR FORCE BASE, Nev. (AFNS) -- The U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds announced their 2012 show schedule Dec. 7.

The team is set to perform more than 60 demonstrations in 33 locations, including two shows in Canada.

The team, officially known as the U.S. Air Force Air Demonstration Squadron, will again kick-off their season by performing a flyover for the 54th running of NASCAR's Daytona 500 on Feb. 26. The remainder of the schedule is listed below:

Please note that the air show schedules posted to this blog are subject to change without notice and shows are conducted weather permitting, for everyones safety.

Stay tuned to the MMP blog and check the "Milcom Blog Guide to Airshows" section on the right hand side of this blog for links to other schedules and field reports from readers during the airshow season.

Don't forget to checkout our 13th annual Air Show Guide that will appear in the March 2012 issue of Monitoring Times magazine. It will be loaded with the latest frequencies (for US and foreign teams), combined schedules, and radio equipment recommendations to make your air show experience an enjoyable and pleasurable one.

The web version of our March guide won't be posted to the MT website until mid to late April. This is done as a courtesy to our subscribers and readers who pay the freight. So get your copy of the March issue before it sells out when it is released in the last week of February. Better yet, get a subscription and don't miss a single exciting issue of Monitoring Times magazine.

Ed Blog Note: If you attend any of these events with your scanner in hand, I could use your field reports on the frequencies that the team is using. See my latest MT Airshow Guide (link in air show reference sidebar) for what we have reported in the past. If you have anything to share, please contact me at the email address in the masthead of this blog. Your field reports are important to us to keep the annual MT Air Show Guide current.

2012 Show Schedule

February 2012
Feb 26 Daytona 500 Flyover, Daytona Beach, FL

March 2012
Mar 8 Nellis AFB, NV
Mar 17 MCAS Yuma, AZ
Mar 24-25 TBD
Mar 31 Sun ‘n Fun, Lakeland, FL

April 2012
Apr 1 Sun ‘n Fun, Lakeland, FL
Apr 14-15 Davis Monthan AFB, AZ
Apr 21-22 Barksdale AFB, LA
Apr 28-29 Fort Lauderdale, FL

May 2012
May 5-6 Shaw AFB, SC
May 12-13 Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, NJ
May 19-20 March ARB, CA
May 23 Colorado Springs, CO (U.S. Air Force Academy graduation flyover)
May 26-27 Hill AFB, UT

June 2012
Jun 2-3 Rockford, IL
Jun 9-10 Ocean City, MD
Jun 16-17 North Kingstown, RI
Jun 23-24 Indianapolis, IN
Jun 30 Battle Creek, MI

July 2012
Jul 1 Battle Creek, MI
Jul 7-8 Gary, IN
Jul 21-22 Joint Base Lewis-McChord, WA
Jul 25 Cheyenne, WY
Jul 28-29 Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, AK

August 2012
Aug 4-5 Hillsboro, OR
Aug 11-12 Abbotsford, ON
Aug 17 Atlantic City, NJ
Aug 25-26 Brunswick, ME

September 2012
Sep 1-2 Davenport, IA
Sep 8-9 Sacramento, CA
Sep 15-16 Scott AFB, IL
Sep 22-23 Salinas, CA
Sep 29-30 McConnell AFB, KS

October 2012
Oct 6-7 Fort Worth, TX
Oct 13-14 Daytona Beach, FL
Oct 20-21 El Paso, TX
Oct 27-28 Moody AFB, GA

November 2012
Nov 3-4 Homestead ARB, FL
Nov 10-11 Nellis AFB, NV

"We are excited about the upcoming season and representing our fellow American Airmen," said Lt. Col. Greg Moseley, who will command and lead the team in the 2012 show season. "We feel honored to tell the story of U.S. Air Force Airmen serving on the front lines of freedom around the world. We will proudly represent each Airmen with the same pride, precision and professionalism in which they perform their duties each and every day."

As of 2012, the Thunderbirds will have been in existence for 59 years, dating back to 1953 when the team flew the straight-winged F-84G Thunderjets. This season will mark the 30th season the squadron has performed in the F-16 Fighting Falcon, the Air Force's premier multi-role fighter aircraft.

The Thunderbirds team is an Air Combat Command unit composed of eight pilots, including six demonstration pilots, four support officers, four civilians and more than 100 enlisted people serving in about 30 Air Force job specialties.

A Thunderbirds aerial demonstration is a mix of formation flying and solo routines. The pilots perform approximately 40 maneuvers in a demonstration. The entire show, including the beginning ground ceremony, lasts about one hour. The air show season lasts roughly from March to November, with the winter months primarily used to train new team members.

Thunderbirds host the Blue Angels

Staff Sgt. Brian Emerson marshals in Navy Blue Angels #5, Lt. Ben Walborn, and #4, Rob Kurrle, as they arrive Feb. 23, 2011, at Nellis Air Force Base, Nev. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Richard Rose Jr.)

by Staff Sgt. Alice Moore, U.S. Air Force Air Demonstration Squadron Public Affairs

NELLIS AIR FORCE BASE, Nev. (AFNS) -- The Thunderbirds hosted three members of the Navy Blue Angels team here Feb. 23 as part of a traditional exchange program between the two units.

Blue Angel No. 2, Lt. Cmdr. Jim Tomaszeski, right wing; and Blue Angel No. 4, Lt. Rob Kurrle, slot; had the chance to fly in the back seat of a Thunderbirds F-16D Fighting Falcon model with Thunderbird No. 3, Maj. John Gallemore, right wing. Blue Angel No. 5, Lt. Ben Walborn, lead solo, flew with Thunderbird No. 5, Maj. Aaron Jelinek, lead solo.

The exchange program allows for both demonstration units with similar missions to have the opportunity to share ideas and learn from each other, Major Jelinek said.

"I can't tell you how many times on the road we get asked if we're better than the Blue Angels," Major Jelinek said. "To me, this (exchange program) is more (about) camaraderie between the two teams, rather than a chance to compete with one another other. Bringing their jet here to Nellis (Air Force Base) and flying with us is awesome, because we learn from them. We can see firsthand the good things they're doing with their operation and implement them into our own Thunderbirds mission. And hopefully they can do the same, so both teams become better."

Prior to takeoff, the Blue Angels participated in a pre-flight briefing. From there, they took off into the air with the Thunderbirds and debriefed after the flight.

"It's always exciting to fly someone in the back seat and showcase what you're doing during the various maneuvers," Major Jelinek said. "The opportunity to fly the Blue Angels makes things a little more special, being that they're out accomplishing the same mission on a daily basis."

Majors Gallemore and Jelinek will head down to the Blue Angels' training base at Naval Air Facility El Centro, Calif., to shadow their counterparts for a day next week.

Lieutenant Walborn, who is in his third season with the Blue Angels, said the exchange program was definitely beneficial.

"It was really cool to see how you set up for a show and how it's different from the way we do it," Lieutenant Walborn said. "I think this experience will really come full-circle next week when we have (the Thunderbirds) come down to visit."

Both demonstration units are currently scheduled to begin their 2011 show seasons in March. The Thunderbirds will travel to perform at 39 show sites in the U.S. and Europe, and the Blue Angels will travel to 37 show sites in the U.S.

Capt. Ryan Riley (left) greets Lt. Cmdr. Jim Tomaszeski Feb. 23, 2011, at Nellis Air Force Base, Nev. Captain Riley is the Thunderbirds left wing. Commander Tomaszeski is the Navy Blue Angels right wing. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Larry E. Reid Jr.)

Complete USAF Thunderbirds Air Show Video Performance

If you have never attended a United States Air Force Thunderbirds air show performance and wonder what one is like, check out the one hour long You Tube video below. It was shot at the 2009 AirPower Over Hampton Roads air show performance by the team. It is excellent and very well done by airshowfansh.



I will also place a link to this video in the air show reference section of this blog for future reference.

Thunderbirds airshow practice with publicity camera plane following

L. Champion has posted some interesting photos of the T-Birds practicing for the upcoming air show season at http://panoramio.com/photo/46685742




Remember that the new Monitoring Times air show guide will be on the newstands in a little over a month. Better yet, if you want to assure your copy of this popular annual guide get your own subscription in either print or electronic format. This year's guide has been completely revamped and new frequency information will be published for the first time ever. This is a must not miss issue of MT.

Go to the Monitoring Times website for more details.

USAF Thunderbirds 2011 Official Airshow Schedule Update 2

NELLIS AIR FORCE BASE, NV - The U.S. Air Force Air Demonstration Squadron, "Thunderbirds," publicly announced their 2011 air show schedule. The team is scheduled to perform nearly 70 shows in 25 states, 1 U.S. territory and 10 European countries. They will kickoff the 2011 season by performing a flyover for the 53rd running of the Daytona 500, Feb. 20.

"The entire team is excited to announce our schedule for 2011," said Lt. Col. Case Cunningham, Thunderbird No. 1, Commander/Leader. "Our team is anxious to get on the road to represent the nearly 700,000 Airmen serving today. We take pride in all they do, and the manner in which they are doing it, with integrity and excellence, while placing service before self, time and time again."

The second year commander says it will be an awesome opportunity to engage with our Allies across the Atlantic. "We look forward to illustrating the selfless commitment and visible pride America's Airmen have in what they are doing, and what they stand for, both at home and overseas," said Cunningham.

The U.S. Air Force Air Demonstration Squadron is an Air Combat Command unit composed of eight pilots (including six demonstration pilots), four support officers, four civilians and about 110 enlisted people performing in more than 29 Air Force specialties.

A Thunderbirds' aerial demonstration is a mix of formation flying and solo routines. The pilots perform approximately 40 maneuvers in a demonstration. The entire show, including ground and air, runs about one hour. The air show season lasts from March to November, with the winter months used to train new members.

For more information about the Thunderbirds, visit www.airforce.com/thunderbirds or follow us on Facebook (U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds) and Twitter (USAFThunderbird).

The schedule posted to this blog is subject to change without notice and is weather permitting, for everyones safety.

Stay tuned to the MMP blog and check the "Milcom Blog Guide to Airshows" section on the right hand side of this blog for links to other schedules and field reports from readers during the airshow season.

Don't forget to checkout our 12th annual Air Show Guide that will appear in the March 2011 issue of Monitoring Times magazine. It will be loaded with the latest frequencies (for US and foreign teams), combined schedules, and radio equipment recommendations to make your air show experience an enjoyable and pleasurable one.

The web version of our March guide won't be posted to the MT website until mid to late April. This is done as a courtesy to our subscribers and readers who pay the freight. So get your copy of the March issue before it sells out when it is released in the last week of February. Better yet, get a subscription and don't miss a single exciting issue of Monitoring Times magazine.

2011 Show Schedule

February 2011
February 20 Daytona Beach, Florida - NASCAR Daytona 500 Fly-By

March 2011
March 19-20 Luke AFB, Arizona - Thunder in the Desert - Luke AFB 70th Anniversary Airshow
March 26-27 Tyndall AFB, Florida - Tyndall AFB Era of Airpower Airshow 2011

April 2011
April 2-3 Ceiba, Puerto Rico - Ceiba Air Show 2011
April 9 Charleston AFB, South Carolina - Charleston Air Expo 2011
April 16-17 Seymour Johnson AFB, North Carolina - Wings Over Wayne Airshow 2011
April 30 Beale AFB, California - 2011 Beale Air Show and Open House

May 2011
May 1 Beale AFB, California - 2011 Beale Air Show and Open House
May 7-8 Smyrna, Tennessee - The Great Tennessee Air Show
May 14-15 Langley AFB, Virginia - Air Power Over Hampton Roads
May 21-22 Andrews AFB, Maryland - Joint Service Open House Andrews 2011 Air Show - The Blue Angel/Thunderbird Reunion Air Show, Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/AndrewsAirshow
May 25 USAF Academy, Colorado (Invitation Only Event) http://www.usafa.af.mil/

June 2011
European Tour
June 4-5 Çiğli Air Base, Izmir, Turkey - Çiğli-İzmir Air Show: 100th Anniversary Turkish Air Force
June 8 Baneasa Airport (Aurel Vlaicu International Airport), Bucharest, Romania
June 11-12 Jesolo AB, Venezia Province, Italy - Seafront Air Show
June 15 Karup AB, Denmark - Thunderbirds Display
June 18-19 Turku AB, Finland - Turku Air Show
June 21 Baltic's Flyover
June 25 Graf Ignatievo AB, Bulgaria - Thunderbirds Display

July 2011
European Tour (continues)
July 2-3 RAF, Waddington, UK - RAF Waddington International Airshow
July 6-7 Koksijde AB, Belgium - Belgian Air Component 65th Anniversary Airshow
July 9-10 Off Weekend for the Team
July 16-17 Off Weekend for the Team
July 23-24 Dayton, Ohio - Vectren Dayton Air Show
July 27 Cheyenne, Wyoming - Cheyenne Frontier Days Air Show 2011
July 30-31 Travis AFB, California - http://www.travis.af.mil/

August 2011
August 6-7 Milwaukee, Wisconsin - Milwaukee Air & Water Show, Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Milwaukee-Air-Water-Show/44556696911
August 13-14 Portsmouth, New Hampshire - Boston-Portsmouth Air Show
August 17 Atlantic City, New Jersey - Thunder Over The Boardwalk, Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Thunder-Over-The-Boardwalk/262040578472
August 20-21 Chicago, Ilinois - Chicago Air & Water Show
August 27-28 Waterloo, Iowa - Waterloo Aviation Expo & Air Show

September 2011
September 3-5 Cleveland, Ohio - Cleveland National Air Show
September 10-11 Niagara Falls, New York - Thunder of Niagara Air Show
September 15 Reno, Nevada - National Championship Air Races and Air Show
September 17-18 Mountain Home AFB, Idaho - Silver Wings of Idaho
September 24-25 Hill AFB, Utah - 2011 Hill AFB Open House and Air Show

October 2011
October 1-2 Fort Smith, Arkansas - Fort Smith Air Show
October 8 Holloman AFB, New Mexico - Holloman AFB Open House 2011
October 15-16 Laughlin AFB, Texas - http://www.laughlin.af.mil/
October 22-23 Ft Worth, Texas - 2011 Fort Worth Alliance Air Show
October 29-30 Lafayette, Louisiana - Sertoma Cajun Air Festival 2011

November 2011
November 5-6 MacDill AFB, Florida - MacDill Airfest 2011
November 12-13 Nellis AFB, Nevada - Aviation Nation 2011

USAF Thunderbirds 2010 Official Show Schedule Update 1

Officials from the U.S. Air Force Air Demonstration Squadron, "Thunderbirds," have announced its 2010 airshow schedule.

The team's 57th show season is scheduled to take them to more than 65 shows in 27 states and Canada.

Lt. Col. Case Cunningham will join the team as commander and leader for the team and fly the No. 1 position.

Other officers beginning their first season with the team are Thunderbird No. 3, Capt. Chad Shenk, right wing; Thunderbird No. 6, Capt. Aaron Jelinek, opposing solo; Thunderbird No. 8, Maj. John Gallemore, advance pilot and narrator; Thunderbird No. 9, Capt Thom Bowden, flight surgeon.

The new team members will join returning officers Thunderbird No. 2, Maj. John Baum, left wing; Thunderbird No. 4, Maj. Sean Gustafson, slot; Thunderbird No. 5, Maj. Rick Goodman, lead solo; Thunderbird No. 7, Lt. Col. Derek Routt, operations officer; Thunderbird No. 10, Capt. Petrina Hanson, executive officer; Thunderbird No. 11, Maj. David Lemery, maintenance officer; Thunderbird No. 12, Capt. Jason McCree.

The Thunderbirds, originally known as the 3600th Air Demonstration Unit out of Luke Air Force Base, Ariz., was activated May 25, 1953.

The demonstration squadron is an Air Combat Command unit composed of eight pilots, including six demonstration pilots, four support officers, four civilians and about 110 enlisted people performing in more than 29 Air Force specialties.

The Thunderbirds' aerial demonstration is a mix of formation flying and solo routines. The pilots perform about 40 maneuvers in a demonstration. The entire show, including ground and air, runs about one hour. The airshow season lasts from March to November, with the winter months used to train new members.

"We are humbled to have the opportunity to travel the U.S and Canada this year, representing the 700,000 Airmen in America's Air Force," Captain McCree said.

Stay tuned to the MMP blog and check the Milcom Blog Guide to Airshows section on the right hand side of this blog for links to other schedules and field reports from readers during the airshow season.

This schedule is subject to change without notice and is weather permitting, for everyone's safety.

2010 Show Schedule

March 2010
March 20-21 Aerospace and Arizona Days - Davis Monthan AFB, AZ http://www.dm.af.mil/
March 27-28 Maxwell-Gunter Open House & Airshow - Maxwell AFB, AL http://www.maxwell.af.mil/

April 2010
April 10-11 Eglin AFB Open House and Air Show - Eglin AFB, FL http://www.eglin.af.mil/airshow2010.asp
April 17-18 Sun'n Fun Fly-In - Lakeland, FL http://www.sun-n-fun.org/
April 24-25 Barksdale AFB Open House and Air Show - Barksdale AFB, LA http://www.barksdaleairshow.org/

May 2010
May 01 Dyess AFB Open House & Air Show - Dyess AFB, TX http://www.dyess.af.mil/
May 02 Altus AFB Airshow - Altus AFB, OK http://www.altus.af.mil/
May 08-09 Shaw Fest '10 - Shaw AFB, SC http://www.shaw.af.mil/
May 15-16 Columbus AFB, MS http://www.columbus.af.mil/
May 22 Thunder Over the River - Grand Forks AFB, ND http://www.grandforks.af.mil/
May 26 US Air Force Academy, CO http://www.usafa.af.mil/
May 29-30 Southern Wisconsin Air Fest - Janesville, WI http://www.swairfest.org/

June 2010
June 05-06 OC Air Show 2010 - Ocean City, MD - http://ocairshow.com/
June 12-13 Québec International Air Show - Québec City, PQ Canada
June 19-20 Star Spangled Salute - Tinker AFB, OK http://www.starspangledsalute.com/
June 26-27 Rhode Island Open House and Air Show - North Kingston, RI http://www.riairshow.com/

July 2010
July 10-11 Gary's South Shore Air Show - Gary, IN http://www.garyairshow.com/
July 17-18 Duluth Air & Aviation Expo - Duluth, MN http://www.duluthairshow.com/2010/index.html
July 21 Cheyenne Frontier Days - Cheyenne, WY http://www.cfdrodeo.com/
July 24-25 Fairchild AFB Air Show - Fairchild AFB, WA http://www.fairchild.af.mil/
July 31 Rockford Airfest 2010 - Rockford, IL http://www.flyrfd.com/

August 2010
August 01 Rockford Airfest 2010 - Rockford, IL http://www.flyrfd.com/
August 07-08 Moffett Field Air Show - Moffett Field, CA
August 14-15 Abbotsford International Airshow - Abbotsford, Canada http://www.abbotsfordairshow.com/
August 21-22 Westfield International Airshow = Westfield (Barnes Air National Guard Base Open House), MA http://www.barnesairport.com/news/events-archives/77-westfield-international-airshow-returns-in-2010
August 25 Atlantic City Air Show - Thunder over the Boardwalk - Atlantic City, NJ http://www.atlanticcitynj.com/acairshow.aspx
August 28-29 Coney Island Air Show - Brooklyn (Coney Island), NY

September 2010
September 04-05 Thunder over the Blue Ridge Airshow - Martinsburg, WV http://www.martinsburgairshow.com/
September 11-12 Wings Over Pittsburgh - Coraopolis (Pittsburgh), PA http://www.wingsoverpittsburgh.com/
September 18-19 Wings over Whiteman - Whiteman AFB, MO http://www.wingsoverwhiteman.com/
September 25-26 McConnell AFB Open House 2010 - McConnell AFB, KS http://www.mcconnell.af.mil/

October 2010
October 02-03 California International Airshow - Salinas, CA http://www.salinasairshow.com/
October 09-10 Airpower Arkansas - Little Rock AFB, AR http://www.littlerock.af.mil/
October 16-17 Amigo Airsho - El Paso, TX http://www.amigoairsho.org/
October 23-24 Wings Over Houston Air Show - Houston, TX http://www.wingsoverhouston.com/
October 30-31 Cocoa Beach Air Show - Cocoa Beach, FL http://www.cocoabeachairshow.com/

November 2010
November 06-07 Lackland AirFest '10 - Lackland AFB, TX http://www.lackland.af.mil/airshow/index.asp
November 13-14 Aviation Nation 2010 - Las Vegas Air Show - Nellis AFB, NV http://www.nellis.af.mil/

Don't forget to checkout our eleventh annual MT Air Show Guide that will appear in the March 2010 issue of Monitoring Times magazine. It will be loaded with the latest frequencies (for U.S. and foreign teams), combined schedules, and radio equipment recommendations to make your air show experience an enjoyable and pleasurable one.

We are also running special issues throughout the season with aero and LMR frequency profiles at each military base the team will perform at. The first of those base profiles will be in the February issue of MT in our monthly Milcom columm.

The electronic web version of our March Air Show Guide won't be posted to the Monitoring Times website until late April to early May. This is done as a courtesy to our subscribers and readers who pay the freight. So get your copy of the March issue before it sells out when it is released in the last week of February. Better yet, get a year's subscription (available in print and electronic versions) and don't miss a single issue of Monitoring Times magazine.

Thunderbirds in South Korea

Members of the Air Force Thunderbirds showed off their skills in the Republic of Korea.

USAF Thunderbirds Far East Tour Schedule - Update

For my readers in the Far East, the USAF Thunderbirds are conducting an extensive airshow tour in the Far East. Here is an updated complete schedule of all the stops that they have made or will make shortly, including the last two airshow dates of the year here in the United States.

Sep 26 Townsville, Australia
Sep 30 Andersen AFB, Guam
Oct 3 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Oct 10 Bangkok, Thailand
Oct 15 Chitose, Japan
Oct 17 Hamamatsu, Japan
Oct 18 Misawa AB, Japan
Oct 21 Osan AB, Korea
Oct 23-25 Seoul AB, Korea

And the last two shows of the year

Nov 7-8 Homestead ARB, Florida
Nov 14-14 Nellis AFB, Nevada

Thunderbirds perform for Malaysian audience

by Tech. Sgt. Randy Redman, Thunderbirds Public Affairs

SUBANG AIR BASE, Malaysia (AFNS) -- Royalty, foreign diplomats, senior military members and civilians alike welcomed the members of the U.S. Air Force Air Demonstration Squadron with open arms as the Thunderbirds arrived at Subang Air Base Sept. 30 for the third stop on their Far East Tour.

Lt. Col. Derek Routt, the Thunderbirds' operations officer, said the team was in Malaysia to represent the Air Force and America and strengthen the partnership with Malaysia and its military.

The city itself has a cosmopolitan air with bustling streets and shining modern office towers that project an unbounded spirit of progress and symbolize Malaysia's unhesitating leap into the future. Kuala Lumpur is home to the Petronas Towers, the tallest twin buildings in the world. Kuala Lumpur boasts an estimated population of 1.6 million, and the surrounding greater Klang Valley metropolitan area is pushing the 5 million mark and is the fastest growing metropolitan area in Malaysia.

"I've been to the region before to places like Thailand and (South) Korea, and Malaysia was exactly what I expected," Colonel Routt said. "The technological advancements of Kuala Lumpur rival that of any global city."

However, the locals had something much different to see in the sky over the city Oct. 3, when more than 45,000 people converged on the Royal Malaysian Air Force Base to see the Thunderbirds performance.

Distinguished visitors in attendance included the sultan of Selangor, the secretary general of the ministry of defence, the chief of defence forces and the host for the airshow the new chief of the Royal Malaysian Air Force, General Dato'Rodzali bin Daud. American Ambassador to Malaysia James Keith traveled to the airshow site to personally welcome the team.

The Thunderbirds' airshow represented skill, precision and airpower; however, Colonel Routt said the team's visit to Malaysia was about much more than an airshow. He explained that he felt his role as an ambassador was to continue fostering friendship in the region to help promote security and stability in the Pacific.

"It's about interacting and getting to know the people; that lets you truly experience what a place has to offer," he said.

The Thunderbirds presence in Malaysia is very timely, said Brig. Gen. Dato' Ansar Ali Majeth, Royal Malaysian air force director general operations and exercises. At a time when efforts are being made to enhance country-to-country and air force-to-air force relations, the airshow and interaction with the local community was perfect.

"Although I've been in the service many years, it was the first time I've seen (the show) live," General Ansar said. "I've no doubt they are some of the best demo pilots in the world. As a pilot, I can appreciate the skills it takes to perform such a show."

He also added that it was about much more than an aerial performance.

"Seeing the way (the Thunderbirds) interact with the crowd and seeing the crowd response, it's obvious they are doing a good job," the general said.

"It is truly an honor and a humbling experience for me to be here, and I hope to represent Americans well in every country we visit," said Colonel Routt, referring to the upcoming stops on the Thunderbirds' Far East tour.

In the next few weeks, the team will also visit Guam, Thailand, Japan and South Korea.

Ellsworth AFB 2009 Airshow Report

From a MNP gang up north, here is a report on the Ellsworth AFB 2009 Airshow. Thanks guys.

Just as the Thunderbirds started flying, they used 141.0750 (AM), 235.2500, and 216.9750 MHz (audio from planes).

Also had traffic on 139.8000 MHz, ref: "5 and 6 are on the deck," but not sure if TB maintenance or whomever. Possibly had 413.1000 (one hit) and 416.7250 MHz (very weak).

Hill AFB 2009 Airshow Report

Byron on the SoCalMilcom filed the following report for last weekend's airshow at Hill AFB:

"The Thunderbirds Preformed at Hill AFB Utah last weekend. There seemed to be some new frequencies used. The following frequencies were heard:

141.075 MHz for diamond formation during show and during departure for cross
country Air to Air back to Nellis. (AM)

235.250 MHz Solo aircraft during show (AM)

363.500 MHz was also heard weakly. Maybe announcer?"

As followers of this blog know 141.075 MHz was originally posted here at the beginning of the season. As for the 363.500 MHz frequency, it is a Utah Test and Training Range (UTTR) freq: Range Control (Clover): R-6402A/B, DPG, R-6405, R-6406A/B, R-6407, Sevier MOA, Gandy MOA, Gandy ATCAA, AR-642E, AR-659. It is definitely not a TBird assignment.

Remember if you have a report from one of the airshows, we can use your help. Remember, even if we have a freq you heard, pass it along as that verifies and keeps our list up-to-date. Please pass your report along to the email address above and you can remain anonymous if you want or need to.

If you need frequencies remember the 2009 MT Airshow Guide has been posted to the net at http://www.monitoringtimes.com/MT_Air_Show_Guide_2009.pdf.

Also remember to check out the links on the Milcom Blog Guide to Airshows in the strip to the right of this post for late breaking info and frequency updates.

And this weekend the flight demo teams will be performing at the following shows:

USAF Thunderbirds and US Army Golden Knights
June 13-14 Ocean City, MD - OC Air Show http://www.ocairshow.com/

US Navy Blue Angels
June 13-14 Denver, CO - Front Range Air Show '09 http://www.rmrfi.org/airshow.htm

Canadian Forces Snowbirds
June 13-14 CFB Bagotville, PQ - Bagotville International Air Show

Air Force Academy Graduation Demo Report -Update

Adam, out in the Colorado Springs area, monitored the US Air Force Academy graduation on Tuesday and confirmed that the Thunderbirds used their 141.0750 MHz (designated Victor-1) during their demonstration.

Dale, W5ACP, also attended the event and reported the solos using their normal 235.2500 MHz.

Thanks to Adam and Dale for their reports, and remember if you have a report from one of the airshows, we can use your help. Remember, even if we have a freq you heard, pass it along as that verifies and keeps our list up-to-date. Please pass your report along to the email address above and you can remain anonymous if you want or need to.

If you need frequencies remember the 2009 MT Airshow Guide has been posted to the net at http://www.monitoringtimes.com/MT_Air_Show_Guide_2009.pdf.

Also remember to check out the links on the Milcom Blog Guide to Airshows in the strip to the right of this post for late breaking info and frequency updates.

And this weekend the flight demo teams will be performing at the following shows:

AF Thunderbirds: Ellsworth AFB, SD - Dakota Thunder http://www.ellsworth.af.mil/ and http://www.dakotathunder.com/index.html

Navy Blue Angels: Janesville, WI - Southern Wisconsin AirFEST http://www.swairfest.org/

Golden Knights: Janesville, WI - Southern Wisconsin AirFEST http://www.swairfest.org/ and Rochester, NY - Rochester International Air Show

Canadian Snowbirds: Rochester, NY - Rochester International Air Show