Part 3: Flying With The Thunderbirds - Curtis Tucker

ENID, OK – The mission of the United State Air Force Thunderbirds is to inspire tomorrow’s airmen by presenting a precision aerial demonstration that has young dreamers yearning to become pilots. Part of that mission includes the Ambassadors in Blue giving rides to local media and celebrities. I was lucky beyond belief to be chosen as the one person in Enid that was honored to fly with this elite team.

Since 1953, the Thunderbirds have been spreading the word about the United States Air Force. The hope is that the public will learn about the skill and precision of the brave aviators, maintenance and support Airmen who deploy abroad to defend our freedoms. The Ambassadors in Blue support recruitment, reinforce public confidence, strengthen morale, promote Air Force community relations and project international goodwill.

I started my Thursday morning as normal as possible going for a 6am run and shooting a few sunrise photos. Out of the norm I was drinking lots of water trying to stay hydrated. Hydration is a big key to not getting airsick. I normally do not eat breakfast but chose to eat a couple of peanut butter granola bars for energy. I did my normal radio and updates for Enid Buzz.

The big question for the day was how to not get airsick. I decided to run to the store and buy some Dramamine. While there a gentleman reminded me that ginger might help so I bought some ginger snaps not knowing if that was strong enough or not. I skipped my normal lunch and opted for a few more granola bars and ginger snaps. I decided not to take Dramamine until I talked to the Thunderbirds Flight Surgeon.

I made my way to Vance, AFB around 12:30pm and met my video crew. We met up with Public Affairs and I was on my way to meet the Thunderbirds. Everyone was running behind so it was almost an hour before we actually met some of the Thunderbird crew. After introductions my first task was to meet with the Flight Surgeon, Maj. Christopher Scheibler. He asked me questions and explained the breathing techniques for pulling G’s and gave me tips on reducing the chances pf getting airsick. He recommended not taking Dramamine.

I then met with TSgt. Paul Rosales who fitted me with a flight suit, a G-suit, boots, helmet and oxygen mask. One of the highlights of getting dressed was having the patches put on my flight suit including the Thunderbirds patch. Rosales spent some time explaining ejecting from the jet, parachuting and landing safely without breaking my legs. I tested opening and closing latches and breathing in my oxygen mask.

It was then time to meet my pilot, Maj. Kevin Walsh. Just like all of the others he had a great big smile and we made introductions. Walsh was from New York but has lost most of his accent. He spent a good deal of time explaining what we would be doing, why we would be doing it and how to do it as safely as possible.

I was then chauffeured to the flight line by Maj. Walsh who was driving a Prius loner vehicle. On the runway I got to put on all of my gear once more with the help of the crew. They snapped some great Top Gun shots and I climbed into the F16. Getting into a jet with all of that gear on is tricky. I made my way in and was surprised at how comfortable it actually was. It was also a little bigger than I had imagined. I was strapped in and triple checked. Walsh climbed in and we were ready to fire engines.

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It was such a rush taxiing down the runway with everyone watching. At the end of the runway we stopped completely and Walsh asked for permission to climb to 16,000 feet on takeoff. He received the okay and we were off. Take off was actually really quick and we stay level so we could reach about 450 miles per hour. Walsh then pulled back and we shot almost straight up into the air pulling 5 G’s. Once the G’s subsided it was time to spin and we eventually leveled off for the ride to our designated area.

The ride begins with two easy G maneuvers to get your body prepared for what is about to come. Both moves went smooth and I had no problem so we were set to go. During the entire ride you have complete communication with your pilot. He described each move before we completed it and gave me a signal that we were about to begin. It was a beautiful blue sky day with no clouds. Temps were above 100.

I have to say that the F16 has a pretty good AC system that blows right on you. The problem is all of the gear blocks the cool air from reaching you. Due to the stress of the G’s, the altitude and the queasy feelings you tend to sweat a lot while flying even though it’s not from the temperature in the jet. I removed my mask several times, which is perfectly fine to do, and caught some cool air which really felt great. Flying in an F16 while it’s cruising felt much like being in an airliner.

The first set of maneuvers that we performed were the big movements that usually include several jets at one time during the show. We did some loops and large rolls. During this part of the ride we were not pulling many G’s. It was then time to move on to the maneuvers performed by the solo pilots. These were faster and some had us pulling 6-7 G’s. Before each move that would require me to squeeze, Maj. Walsh would say, “Here come the G’s.”

As far as how I was feeling I had been great up until we got to the barrel rolls. He started out with a single barrel roll and asked if I’d like to try two, of course I said yes. After two he explained that they actually perform four in the show. So of course I had to go for the four roll after catching my breath a minute. Things were a little queasy after that but not bad enough that I ever thought I would throw up.

He took me through every move they perform in the show and would ask me after every maneuver if I was good. Each time I was good and made sure we went through all of the show maneuvers. Flying upside down was interesting because you literally are falling out of your seat while dust and little particles fall past you onto the canopy. The view is gorgeous!

Once all of the maneuvers were out of the way Walsh asked me if I was ready to pull the ever mystical 9G maneuver. It’s basically taking the jet, turning it on it’s side, pulling back the stick and changing direction as quickly as possible. The force of the turn causes the body to endure 9G’s equivalent to having your body weigh about 1800 lbs. You are locked into place and cannot lift your head or arms.

I told Maj. Walsh I was ready! I assumed the 9G position, took a deep breath and hung on. The F16 tilted and turned and then the afterburners kicked in and we were screaming. I immediately began squeezing every muscle below my shoulders beginning with my legs and buttocks. Once I had those locked tight I squeezed abdomen and started my “hick” breathing technique that forces air into your lungs to ehlp force blood to your brain so you don’t pass out.

Many people will begin to have tunnel vision and will see gray coming into their vision. At that point you just need to squeeze harder. I must have done okay because I did not pass out and never say gray. It was actually over before I could even concentrate on my breathing. It was over! I had just pulled 9.3G’s a pretty big deal! I had heard you get a 9G pin if you don’t pass out. I did not get a pin but I received a certificate indicating my ride and my G’s signed by my pilot.

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After that it was smooth sailing. We had about 20 minutes left to cruise the skies. Walsh let me fly the jet. I wiggled it a little and then made a wide turn. He then talked me into doing a roll which was very cool. Flying an F16 is a top Bucket List thing to do! We then spent the reminder of the ride sight seeing. We buzzed the beach at Canton Lake with smoke on. We flew over the Glass Mountains and Walsh turned smoke on so I could get a photo of our shadow on the mountains.

We eventually made our way to the Great Salt Plains which actually only took a minute or two and buzzed it. We were then off to let downtown Enid know the Thunderbirds were in town! Thunderbird 7 circled downtown with smoke on while I snapped lots of photos. We ended the ride with a circle around the base where we pulled our last couple of G’s. My ride was officially over and I had accomplished my four goals, no puking, no passing out, having fun and getting a selfie while riding in a USAF Thunderbird F16.

We landed and parked in line with all of the other Thunderbirds. The Thunderbird 7 crew came out to meet us and unhook us from the jet. I was presented with a signed picture and given my official 9.3G certificate. I thanked the crew for everything they do to keep our pilots in the air and for the duties that they perform keeping us safe. I then shook hands with every member of the team and thanked my pilot, Maj. Kevin Walsh, for the ride of my life!

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