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5/19/2025 7:52:54 PM
 
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Section 22: Military Topics Subject: Thunderbirds June 2009 Msg# 1225493
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The Thunderbirds and the Blue Angels have always impressed me as the cream of the military aviation crop and I have seen both units perform many times over the years. 
My only U-2 experience happened when one made an emergency landing at Amarillo AFB. I don't know how they got him down but I remember the plane being followed by a couple of trucks full of armed Combat Defense Force guys from the runway to a hangar where it was sealed up until it left. |
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For reference, the above message is a reply to a message where: The Thunderbird pilots are considered some of the best in the Air Force. We had one come into our Wing in 1960, he was transitioning into the U-2, considered the most difficult plane to fly. In addition to it's ability to fly higher than anything else with wings it was the ONLY airplane in which the pilot could NOT see the runway when landing, he had to be talked down by another pilot in a chase car. The guy, in spite of his experience and skills couldn't land the plane, not seeing the runway really freaked him out. When they finally got him back on the ground he was gone three days later. Image below from Allan Tarvid - Image Title: Thunderbirds June 2009 Image Info: Thunderbirds at a Helena MT air show in June of 2009. Larger image available! Click image to see it.  |
