The Thunderbirds continue to represent all Airmen across the globe. The Team is made up of over 140 personnel. The primary Thunderbird mission is to represent the Pride, Precision and Professionalism all Airmen demonstrate. From the ground show to the breathtaking aerial maneuvers, the Thunderbirds continue to represent America's Airmen.

In 1959 13 men joined together to form the Strategic Army Corps Sport Parachute Team, to compete in the then communist dominated sport of skydiving. The team performed so well that on June 1, 1961 the Army officially recognized, designated and activated the team as the U.S. Army Parachute Team now known as the Golden Knights.

Tim Weber discovered aviation at the age of 13, and first flew solo in a glider at 14 years old. Within a short time, he had soloed in several different types of gliders and had begun exploring aerobatics. As time went by, Tim moved into flying powered aircraft while continuing to perfect his aerobatic skills. As a result of his aggressive flying style and natural ability, Tim is one of the top airshow performers in the United States today. A self-taught musician, Tim is also the only full-time airshow pilot that performs to music he wrote and recorded himself. You won’t want to miss his high-energy, hard-core aerobatic show in the GEICO Extra 300S.

Greg is a native of Boise, Idaho and has spent most of his life there. He started his flying career at an early age and earned his pilots license while still a teenager, flying out of the old Strawberry Glen airport along side the Boise River.


His flight instructor, John Chambers, introduced him to aerobatics early on and it quickly turned into a passion that continues to this day.

Greg's early flying was done in a variety of tail wheel type aircraft and he spent many hours at Idaho back country airstrips. After earning commercial and instrument ratings Greg became a flight instructor and has specialized in tail wheel training, aerobatics (from basic to unlimited) and has earned a reputation as one of the most knowledgeable advanced spin instructors in the country.

As a child growing up, Major John Klatt dreamed of learning to fly. And thanks to the Air National Guard, he's now living the dream as one of the top aerobatic pilots in the country, for the ANG's "Guarding America, Defending Freedom". Each day John will perform fast paced, hardcore, high energy aerobatics in the Staudacher S300-D that include such maneuvers as seven snap rolls on a forty-five down line with multiple linked rolls in the opposite direction.

The Aerial Events Branch is responsible for scheduling the public display of ACC aircraft, specifically, the six Single-Ship Demonstration Teams, the B-2 and the F-117A. We also coordinate static display and flyover support of other ACC aircraft to air shows worldwide. In addition, we manage the Heritage Flight program, which consists of vintage World War II and Korean-era aircraft flying in close formation with the ACC Single-Ship Demonstration Teams at air shows.

PAUL STENDER and SPEED FOR HIRE -- with the "Skool Time" jet powered school bus will leave you shocked and amazed as it races down the runway!

The "Sons (and daughter) of Legends" have partnered up to bring people a little taste of the type of aviation that they were privileged enough to experience growing up. Kyle, with the help of his lovely bride, will be performing the ever popular PIRATED SKIES WINGWALKING ACT.

Many enthusiasts refer to the Staggerwing as "the Lear Jet of the 1940's." This Staggerwing owned by Patty and Alan Russell was previously owned by the late Malcolm McGregor. McGregor was a well-recognized El Paso attorney who owned the airplane for more than 30 of its 60 year history. In honor of McGregor, the Staggerwing was renamed "Lady McGregor." "We recognize the responsibility we have to maintain, protect and preserve this important piece of aviation history." Alan Russell said. The Staggerwing has been on display and has participated in many air shows.

The mission of CBP's Office of Air and Marine, the world's largest aviation and maritime law enforcement organization, is to protect the American people and the nation's critical infrastructure through the coordinated use of integrated air and marine forces to detect, interdict and prevent acts of terrorism and the unlawful movement of people, illegal drugs and other contraband toward or across U.S. borders. The Sho will feature the startup and demo of the UH-1 helicopter used by the El Paso Sector of the US Border Patrol, a division of the Department of Homeland Security. The helicopters are used to help cover the vast and often barren terrain in the desert southwest that would take too long to get to by truck or ATV. Agents can fast rope into any location and secure it, make arrests or provide backup until ground support arrives.

The A-10 West Demonstration Team is a select group of professionals dedicated to showing the extreme capabilities of the A-10 aircraft through exceptional aerial maneuvers. Our mission is to demonstrate the capabilities of the A-10 Thunderbolt II and the professional competence of the U.S. Air Force personnel, to positively affect USAF recruiting and retention efforts, and to promote community and international relations.

Larry Strain spent 35 years with American Airlines in flying and management positions. He earned his pilot's license at the age of 16 and holds type rating in many different makes and models of jets and warbirds. Strain has been involved with Airshows for nearly 30 years in a wide variety of positions, including planning, production, narrating, air bossing, management, construction, and flying. Strain is a member of the Royal Aeronautical Society of Great Britain and has been a faculty member for International Council of Air Shows (ICAS) seminars during the past several years. Strain is currently a member of the ICAS Ethics Committee and was most recently elected to the ICAS board of directors.