An official website of the United States government
A .mil website belongs to an official U.S. Department of Defense organization in the United States.
A lock (lock ) or https:// means you’ve safely connected to the .mil website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.

Home : News : Article View
NEWS | June 5, 2008

Air Guard pilot to join AF Thunderbirds

By Master Sgt. Mike R. Smith National Guard Bureau

ARLINGTON, Va. - A Nevada Air National Guard pilot currently assigned to the 232nd Operations Squadron at Nellis Air Force Base in Las Vegas has been selected as the operations officer for the U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds.

As operations officer, Air Guard Maj. Derek Routt, 38, will serve in the position for two years starting in 2009 and will be the squadron's second in command as "Thunderbird No. 7," officials said.

The squadron announced its incoming officer selections on June 2.

"This is a tremendous opportunity for both me and the National Guard," said Routt in a Nevada press release from Gov. Jim Gibbons office. "I can't begin to explain the feeling of pride I have in my selection as a Thunderbird. I'd like to thank the entire leadership of the National Guard for all their support."

The selection is the first time an Air Guard pilot will fly with the elite squadron.

The governor's office reported that Routt started his career in the active duty Air Force as a nuclear missile launch officer in Air Force Space Command. Then, he cross-trained to aviation where he has had tours in Japan, Florida, Texas and Nevada as an F-15 Eagle and F-16 Falcon fighter pilot. Routt transitioned to the Nevada Air National Guard in 2006 and is currently a flight examiner for the 232nd. Routt also works with the 65th Aggressor Squadron at Nellis.

The Thunderbirds include 12 officers and more than 120 enlisted Airmen who operate the F-16C. They have been flying as an air demonstration team since 1953.

"Each year we have dozens of highly capable Airmen apply for each position," said Lt. Col. Greg Thomas, the squadron commander, in a June 4 Air Force news article. "We select the most qualified individuals to join the team based on their overall capabilities and ability to represent all Airmen."

Note: The Air Force News Agency contributed to this report.

 

 

Related Articles
Staff Sgt. Ashley Renye perform during a culminating training event to medically evacuate soldiers at Fort Cavazos, Texas, May 14, 2025. This training scenario had units from the 3-238th General Support Aviation Battalion (Michigan), the 101st Public Affairs Detachment (Delaware) and the 328th Military Police Platoon (New Jersey) work together to respond to a vehicle rollover accident with multiple casualties.
Louisana Guard Medical Evacuation Training Turns Real
By Capt. Shy Garden, | May 21, 2025
FORT CAVAZOS, Texas - Soldiers of the Louisiana Army National Guard’s 256th Infantry Brigade Combat Team and its assigned units were conducting a training exercise May 14 for an emergency medical evacuation when a Soldier...

Col. Boone Caldon, commander of the 153rd Medical Group, briefs Tunisian armed forces of medical capabilities during a Tunisian NCO development presentation at Cheyenne, Wyoming, on May 12, 2025. The Wyoming National Guard hosted a delegation from the Tunisian Armed Forces for a weeklong noncommissioned officer (NCO) development exchange, strengthening a long-standing partnership through the State Partnership Program.
Wyoming Guard Hosts Tunisian Noncommissioned Officer Development Exchange
By Staff Sgt. Cesar Rivas, | May 21, 2025
CHEYENNE, Wyo. – The Wyoming National Guard hosted a delegation from the Tunisian Armed Forces for a weeklong noncommissioned officer (NCO) development exchange, strengthening a long-standing partnership through the...

U.S. Army National Guard units assigned to Task Force Tiger perform their culminating training event to medically evacuate Soldiers on Fort Cavazos, Texas, May 14, 2025. This training scenario had units from the 3-238th General Support Aviation Battalion (Michigan), the 101st Public Affairs Detachment (Delaware) and the 328th Military Police Platoon (New Jersey) work together to respond to a vehicle rollover accident with multiple casualties.
Army Guard Soldiers Train for Kosovo Deployment
By Staff Sgt. Alyssa Lisenbe,  | May 20, 2025
FORT CAVAZOS, Texas – More than 500 Army National Guard Soldiers under Task Force Tiger are conducting a culminating training event at Fort Cavazos in preparation for an upcoming deployment to support a NATO-led peacekeeping...