Thunderbirds and Blue Angels reunite
News 11's Vanessa Gongora was at the Naval Air Facility for the grand entrance
EL CENTRO, Calif. (KYMA, KECY) - The U.S. Air Force Demonstration Sqaudron, the Thunderbirds, are in El Centro to train with the Blue Angels for the third time.
The Thunderbirds arrived yesterday morning and will be training with the Blue Angels for one week.
Both teams are training for their 2022 air show season. The Blue Angels and Air Force Thunderbirds are sharing best practices and exchanging lessons learned in preparation for an eventful year.
Captain Brian Kesselring and flight leader of the Blue Angels has been looking forward to working with the Thunderbirds again.
"It's an absolute fantastic opportunity to share trade secrets if you will, professional expertise and helps make both of our teams better. And ultimately making it more entertaining and ultimately a safer show for the American public for our teams," Kesselring said.
The Thunderbirds fly the F-16 performing precision aerial maneuvers and represent all six of the Air Force fighters.
The Commander Leader of the Thunderbirds, Lt. Col. Justin Elliott, who has been in the Air Force for 17 years just joined the Thunderbirds last December.
He says this is an extraordinary opportunity to be able to command a squadron that represents the entire Air Force and is thrilled to be working with the Blue Angels.
"I cannot be more excited for this joint training. Nothing the air force does is done independently. We fight and win as a joint force and so we're going to train as a joint force because our mission for both of these teams is very similar," said Lt. Col. Elliot. "It's to inspire the nation, to create a beacon of excellence that our nation can then unite around and push themselves to the next level in anything they do."
Elliott says this is the most inspiring job in his life and Captain Kesselring says it's satisfying to work alongside 156 Blue Angels.
"It is an absolute blessing to come here. A lot of organizations use the F-word Family a lot but right here no kidding. It is absolutely a family," Kesselring said.
The Thunderbirds first show will take place on March 26th in Mississippi and the Blue Angels first show will be on March 12th at the Navy Air Facility in El Centro. Doors open at 10 a.m.
