Thunderbirds practice for graduation

Published May 18, 2012
By 030512

U.S. AIR FORCE ACADEMY, Colo. -- The U.S. Air Force Air Demonstration Squadron, the Thunderbirds, will turn heads skyward during several flights over the Colorado Springs area May 21-23.

The Thunderbirds are scheduled to arrive at Peterson Air Force Base Monday. Before landing, the team will conduct aerial surveys of the Air Force Academy from 11:30 a.m. to 12:10 p.m., and conduct an introductory flight to Denver Broncos head coach, John Fox, at 5 p.m.

The Thunderbirds will practice flyovers of the Air Force Academy Stadium Tuesday starting at 1:45 p.m. as a rehearsal for the graduation day hat toss, weather permitting.

Directly following the Air Force Academy graduation Wednesday, the team will perform the hat toss flyover and its aerial performance, starting approximately 12:15 p.m.

For the safety of the general public certain roads will be closed around Falcon Stadium during performance practices and the performance. These closures are mandated by the Federal Aviation Administration to ensure the performance area is free of all personnel.

The general public is reminded not to stop along Interstate 25 to watch the performances.

For more information about the Thunderbirds, visit www.afthunderbirds.com. For information about the Academy's graduation, go to www.usafa.edu/superintendent/graduation/.

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