Beyond the flightline

Braden Peiser, son of Erica Peiser, gets pinned by Maj. (Dr.) Charla Quayle during a Thunderbirds visit to San Angelo Community Medical Center in San Angelo, Texas. Dr. Qualye, flight surgeon for the entire Thunderbirds team, and several enlisted personnel spent time with patients, employees and family members as part of the teams visit to San Angelo for Air Fiesta ‘08. (U.S. Air Force Photo by Master Sgt Randy Mallard)

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Beyond the flightline

Kristin Clark, an anchor with KLST News in San Angelo, waves prior to her media flight March 13. Mrs. Clark was instructed in proper entry, exit and safety procedures for the F-16 Fighting Falcon prior to her flight, which helped the news anchor better tell the Air Fiesta ‘08 story. (U.S. Air Force photo by Master Sgt. Randy Mallard)

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Beyond the flightline

Major Samantha Weeks, Thunderbird lead solo pilot, talks with children from the Make-a-Wish Foundation and their families after the Thunderbirds’ practice performance March 14. Children and families from the Make-a-Wish Foundation were special guests of the Thunderbirds. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. John Barton)

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Beyond the flightline

Technical Sergeant Matthew Alfreno, specialist section chief with the Thunderbirds, steps back after helping Molly Flynn, Central High School junior, don g-force gear March 14. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Kamaile Chan)

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Beyond the flightline

Lieutenant Colonel Greg Thomas, Thunderbird 1, leads a group of Delayed Entry Program participants as they swear “...to support and defend the Constitution of the United States.” The Thunderbirds conducted both an enlistment ceremony and a re-enlistment ceremony during their visit to San Angelo. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Kamaile Chan)

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Beyond the flightline

Published March 26, 2008
By Senior Airman Stephen Musal
17th Training Wing Public Affairs

SAN ANGELO, Texas -- The United States Air Force Thunderbirds did more during their visit to San Angelo than their aerial acrobatics during Air Fiesta '08.

The air demonstration team visited patients and staff at both Shannon Medical Center and Community Medical Center, spoke to students at Central and Lake View High Schools and conducted both a re-enlistment ceremony and a Delayed Entry Program enlistment ceremony.

Additionally, two members of the local media, KLST's Kristin Clark and West Texas Broadcasting's John Kerr, braved the high-g-force environment of the Thunderbird cockpits to better cover the show.

Finally, the Thunderbirds opened their practice show to the children and families of the Make-a-Wish Foundation March 14, bringing joy to the hearts of ill children.