Children of all ages enjoy T-bird practice show April 9

  • Published
  • By Samuel King Jr.
  • Team Eglin Public Affairs
EGLIN AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. --  Children of all ages received a visual treat here April 9, when they received a special invitation to the Air Force Thunderbirds practice show.

The show was for children's special needs programs around the communities, but was also attended by many local Bob Hope Villagers.

"This is such a great opportunity," Lt. Col. John Wilbourne, 58th Fighter Squadron commander, said. "Many in our local communities have heard about the base, know about it, and this is a chance for them to come out and actually see with their own eyes. It lets them see a slice of what Air Force life is like."

Upon arrival, kids and adults were greeted by smiling faces of enlisted and officers alike. Airmen made sure the guests had ear plugs and water as needed. Eglin Airmen also sat and talked with children and villagers prior to and during the show.

The kids scrambled for stickers, pins and souvenirs from the F-22 pilots and T-Bird maintainers. A few asked for autographs from their new heroes.

"This is a great occasion for these kids and being able to interact with the military," said Beth Walthall, principal of Davidson Middle School. "It really brings the concept of the Air Force into concrete terms for them."

The 'oohs' and 'aahs' started as soon as the Thunderbirds F-16s fired up. But when they took to the sky it was quiet. The T-birds dazzled their new fans with aerial acrobatics and brought smiles to the 300 in attendance.

"This is great!" said Tim, a student from Davidson Middle School, letting everyone know he enjoyed the show.