General Mike Hostage III, commander of Air Combat Command, released the names of the officers who will be joining the Thunderbirds in October 2014, to begin preparations for the 2015 demonstration season.
Lt. Col. Christopher Hammond, the director of operations for the 16th Weapons Squadron at the USAF Weapons School here at Nellis AFB, Nev., will become Thunderbird No. 1, the squadron's commander and lead pilot. Hammond will replace Lt. Col. Greg Moseley.
Capt. Alexander Goldfein, a F-15C pilot stationed at Kadena Air Base, Japan, will become Thunderbird No. 3, the squadron's right wing pilot. Goldfein will replace Maj. Caroline Jensen.
Capt. Nicholas Eberling, a F-15E pilot currently stationed at Seymour-Johnson AFB, N.C., will become Thunderbird No. 6, the squadron's opposing solo pilot. Capt. Jason Curtis, the current opposing solo pilot, will transition to the lead solo position in 2014, replacing Maj. Blaine Jones.
Maj. Scott Petz, a F-16C pilot currently stationed here at Nellis AFB, Nev., will become Thunderbird No. 8, the squadron's advance pilot and narrator. His duties will include advancing to show sites ahead of the team, coordinating logistical details with the local show organizers, and narrating to the crowd during performances. Petz will replace Maj. Michael Fisher.
Capt. Christopher Scheibler, a flight surgeon stationed at Aviano AB, Italy, will become Thunderbird 9, the team's flight surgeon. He will manage the health needs of the entire squadron while advising the commander on medical issues.
