Thunderbirds, the United States air force aerobatic display unit, are to perform at the Salthill, Co Galway air show next month - its first engagement in Ireland and first outside the US since the 2001 9/11 attacks on New York and Washington.
Capt Elizabeth Kreft said the pilots and support crews were particularly excited about the visit, given that many had strong Irish family connections. Most of the unit's members have passed through Shannon airport in recent years on their way to operational assignments in the Middle East and Afghanistan.
Thunderbirds Squadron has performed aerobatic manoeuvres worldwide since its inception in 1953. It consists of six F-16 C fighter jets flown by experienced combat pilots chosen from among the US air force's top operational combat squadrons.
Speaking to The Irish Times from their home base at Nellis air force base outside Las Vegas, Capt Kreft, said the core mission was to "perform precision aerial manoeuvres that demonstrate the combat capabilities of the aircraft".
For the squadron's lead solo pilot, Maj Ed Casey (33) from Sparta, New Jersey, the Thunderbirds' visit to Ireland is a homecoming of sorts. His mother, Ailis Casey from Schull, Co Cork, emigrated to the US in 1974. Relatives are still living in Ireland.
Maj Casey echoed Capt Kreft's views on the Irish trip and said the unit plans to put the Tricolour on the flag panels of its aircraft during and after the Irish visit. Two of the squadron's top combat pilots are women, including Maj Nicole Malachowski, whose grandparents come from Mallow, Co Cork.
According to Maj Casey: "All of our pilots have combat experience over Iraq and many have been operational in Afghanistan." He described the logistics involved in getting the squadron's F-16s from Las Vegas to Shannon airport. "We will fly direct from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania to Shannon, crossing the north Atlantic with an escort of two KC 10 Extender refuelling jets." These large aircrafts will refuel each of the team's eight F-16s with approximately 4,000 litres of aviation fuel at least three times during the transatlantic flight. The squadron's support team of approximately 80 personnel will travel to Ireland aboard two US airforce C-17 transport aircraft.
Maj Casey described three previous trips through Shannon airport while serving as a combat pilot in various operational units of the US air force on his way to deployments in Iraq and elsewhere. He emphasised the "incredible hospitality and the warm welcome of the Irish" during the stopover.
Dr Tom Clonan is The Irish Times security analyst. He lectures in the School of Media, DIT
