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Show if r j Air Force Tech. Sgt. Jim Goodman Local airman assigned with Thunderbirds' If there is a single word to describe the U.S. Air Force Air Demonstration Squadron, the Thunderbirds, it would have to be "precision." Everything about the "T-Birds" is precise, from their aerial maneuvers to the actions of the supporting ground crews and administrative ad-ministrative personnel. This precision, along with teamwork and pride, accompanies them around the world. After ten years of travel, to more than 45 countries, they have been ordained ordain-ed as "Ambassadors in Blue." Air Force Tech. Sgt. Jim Goodman, 35, son of Mr. and Mrs. Barney Goodman, 1370 W. 2000 North, Vernal, is a member of the Thunderbirds and spends long hours in preparation for training flights and shows. Goodman is an aircrew life support supervisor assigned to the Air Demonstration Squadron at Nellis Air Force Base, Nevada. "It's very rewarding being part of the finest unit in the Air Force," Goodman noted. "It's long hours and hard work, but it's an exciting assignment I would recommend highly to any dedicated Air Force person." More than 200 days a year are spent "on the road" by the squadron to fulfill the Thunderbird's mission, which consists con-sists of aerial demonstrations, exhibits of air power, and reinforcement of public confidence in the U.S. Air Force's fighting ability. "My job involves maintaining the parachutes, survival kits, helmets and oxygen masks," Goodman explained. "I also teach ejection, parachuting and survival sur-vival procedures." "I joined the Air Force to avoid being drafted and now plan to retire with twenty twen-ty years of service in 1986," Goodman pointed out. The Air Demonstration Squadron was formed at Luke Air Force Base, Ariz., in May 1953. Selection of the name was virtually vir-tually inevitable, since there already were the "Sky-Blazers," "Blue Angles" and "Acrojets." The name chosen "Thunderbirds" comes from Indian culture and folklore in the southwestern U.S. Although the legend of the Thunder-bird Thunder-bird varies among tribes, it is traditionally tradi-tionally credited with the power to grant success in war. "Since enlisting, I've had excitement and travel, along with education and special training," Goodman said. "I've really enjoyed my career in the Air Force." Goodman is a 1966 graduate of Uintah High School, and has traveled overseas to Taiwan and Japan. The Thunderbirds replaced the T-38 in June 1982 with the newer F-16 Fighting Falcon. Although many changes, including in-cluding the red, white and blue paint scheme, were made to the Thunderbirds' F-16's to adapt them for aerial demonstrations, the fighters can be ready for combat within 72 hours. The Thunderbirds will be performing more than 67 shows throughout the U.S. during 1983, one of which will be at Hill Air Force Base, Utah, on Sept. 17. |