Thunderbirds

This ticket has the cadet sea of blue in the background.  You can also see the 2011 USAFA Class Crest.  Each crest is loaded with symbolism.  How many items can you pick out?  Here’s what I see:  the graduation year (2011), an eagle, the US Flag, Polaris (the North Star), a sabre (worn by Firsties — fourth year cadets), the cadet chapel, their class motto in Latin (Infiniti Orbis Finientes), their graduating class number in Latin (LIII = 53; they are the 53rd graduating class from USAFA), and finally, three aircraft — an F-15, F-16 and F-22 (the numbers add up to 53 and their graduating class).

 

All of this was leading up to wearing these.  The rank of second lieutenant.

 

Ok, on with the Thunderbird’s demonstration.

 

Coming in for a big climb with the sea of blue in the foreground.

 

The classic diamond, 4-ship formation.

 

Smoke on.

 

Pass in review.

 

A mirror?  Public relations?

 

 

A high-speed pass.  It was interesting seeing the differences between the USAF and French AF demo teams.  In fact, it was similar to this year’s Women’s World Cup.  The French are all about finesse and grace.  Americans tend to be more about power, energy and explosiveness.   These two aircraft were an example of that.

 

Standing on the engine.  Demonstrating a great thrust to weight ratio.

 

 

 

This is one of my favorites.  The 4-ship was going slow with gear down.  The solo came in with a lot of closure and goes right through the center.

 

Afterburner.

 

A high-g, max performance turn. Ouch.

 

 

 

Off they go.

 

 

Col Maïni, Manu, Maggie and me after the ceremony.

 

Col Maïni with this adorable little girl who’s the niece of a classmate of mine (Sam), and also related to a graduate from 2011.  It’s a small world … and much smaller Air Force.

 

The USAFA chapel.  At one point, this was the most popular man-made tourist attraction in the state of Colorado.  I don’t know if it still is (with the new security measures), but it’s still majestic … even for non-believers.

 

This is the cadet area, inside this big square (which is about 75% visible) is where I spent most of my four years here.

 

 

Col Maïni and Manu standing in front of the chapel.

 

 

Manu and I.

 

The B-24 memorial in the Honor Court.

 

The Tuskegee Airmen memorial.

 

A final image of the chapel.

 

And that does it for the trip to the US.  It was short and packed with things to do, but I had a good time.

 

Up next will be our quick trip down to Tuscany for my birthday.

 

Until then…

 

–Jim