Elmendorf pilot selected to lead Thunderbirds

  • Published
  • By 2nd Lt. Erin Slaughter
  • 3rd Wing Public Affairs
ELMENDORF AIR FORCE BASE, Alaska --  For two years running, Elmendorf's 12th Fighter Squadron has had the honor of one of its fliers being chosen to represent the Air Force in the Thunderbird's Air Demonstration Squadron. 

Lt. Col. Gregory Thomas was selected to the No. 1 position for the 2008 and 2009 air show seasons. 

As the commander/leader, he will not only command the 120-person squadron, but will also fly the lead jet in all air demonstrations. 

This career change was not something Colonel Thomas had expected; his main goal was always to become an operational squadron commander. 

Despite that, he says he welcomes the change of plans. 

"I'm excited to go and do something different. This really is an awesome opportunity to represent the 500,000 plus Airmen engaged around the world," he said. 

He fully recognizes the level of responsibility that comes with being a member of the Thunderbirds and is ready for the challenge. 

"The Thunderbirds might be the only tangible piece of the military some communities see," he said. 

Colonel Thomas knows this from firsthand experience. When he was 9 years old, he attended his first air show and saw the Thunderbirds perform. That cemented his desire to become a fighter pilot. 

The application process to become a Thunderbird is lengthy. The first applications were due at the end of January. From those applications, they select the semi-finalists. For the No. 1 position, they selected four individuals who were then narrowed down to two, and then Colonel Thomas was chosen. 

The process is fairly long because it's important they choose individuals that are a good fit for the team. 

He hasn't even been at Elmendorf a full year, but he will leave here soon en-route to Langley AFB, Va. for squadron commander's school. Then in July he will begin F-16 training at Luke AFB, Ariz. 

"The flying is not all that different; I'm not necessarily worried about switching jets, I just want to make sure I'm prepared," said the colonel. 

This November, when the air show season is over, he will begin his Thunderbird-specific training. The outgoing commander/leader will train him during the off-season before moving on and leaving the reins in Colonel Thomas' hands for the next two years.