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.