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Thunderbird #1 Relieved Of Command Suddenly
Posted: Wed Nov 29, 2017 10:05 pm
by RyanS
Very stunning news today as TB1 Lt. Col. Jason Heard was relieved of command. It actually took place on the 20th but was announced today. Read more on our blog:
https://airshowstuff.com/v4/2017/thunde ... onfidence/
It will be interesting to see how long it will take to find a new CO. I hope it does not drag on because they need to get to winter training!
Re: Thunderbird #1 Relieved Of Command Suddenly
Posted: Thu Nov 30, 2017 1:37 am
by awal2049
Holy crap, this is incredible! I've never heard of this happening before. I wonder if this will mess up the rotation of demo pilots or if they'll have a new boss again next year. Can't wait for the announcements next week, seems early this year!
Re: Thunderbird #1 Relieved Of Command Suddenly
Posted: Thu Nov 30, 2017 1:33 pm
by MattEv14
I saw the T-birds at 3 different locations in 2017 and I honestly thought it was the sharpest, tightest, and most aggressive they have been in recent memory. I even recall them doing high shows when there were a handful of clouds in the sky. Typically that is a rarity with the Thunderbird's!
Re: Thunderbird #1 Relieved Of Command Suddenly
Posted: Thu Nov 30, 2017 7:05 pm
by awal2049
MattEv14 wrote: ↑Thu Nov 30, 2017 1:33 pm
it was the sharpest, tightest, and most aggressive they have been in recent memory. I even recall them doing high shows when there were a handful of clouds in the sky.
Hmm, maybe that's what is meant by his "risk management style"
Re: Thunderbird #1 Relieved Of Command Suddenly
Posted: Thu Dec 14, 2017 1:41 am
by RyanS
Re: Thunderbird #1 Relieved Of Command Suddenly
Posted: Thu Nov 22, 2018 7:47 pm
by Adam
This makes for incredible and very damning reading.
The gist of the report is that Heard broke the rules on numerous occasions, including flying too low over a populated area, intentionally taking the formation supersonic on a transit flight and attempting a loop when the cloud base was too low. Tensions ran high between him and other pilots, culminating with a "physical altercation" in a bar last September.
https://www.airforcetimes.com/news/your ... -argument/
Re: Thunderbird #1 Relieved Of Command Suddenly
Posted: Fri Nov 23, 2018 12:15 am
by RyanS
Adam wrote: ↑Thu Nov 22, 2018 7:47 pm
This makes for incredible and very damning reading.
The gist of the report is that Heard broke the rules on numerous occasions, including flying too low over a populated area, intentionally taking the formation supersonic on a transit flight and attempting a loop when the cloud base was too low. Tensions ran high between him and other pilots, culminating with a "physical altercation" in a bar last September.
https://www.airforcetimes.com/news/your ... -argument/
What's shocking to me is that even after the bar fight, the team still performed together for months!
I'm also quite surprised that he is apparently still flying in the USAF. This sure reads like a career ending move to me.
Re: Thunderbird #1 Relieved Of Command Suddenly
Posted: Fri Dec 07, 2018 1:27 am
by RyanD
Thanks for sharing!