Thunderbirds’ LV show to aid laid-off workers

Friday, Oct. 19, 2001 | 9:13 a.m.

Officers and enlisted airmen for the Thunderbirds, the Air Force's aerial demonstration squadron, are happy to be performing, but they say they are especially excited about this weekend's show above a hometown crowd.

The cancellation of the team's Pacific tour, which included performances in Australia and Japan, has left a void in the Thunderbirds' schedule. But the cancellations, due to the terrorist attacks, opened a spot that allowed the demonstration team, based at Nellis Air Force Base, to perform during the second annual Las Vegas Air Show Saturday and Sunday in Jean.

"It's really great when you get a chance to put on a show before a hometown crowd and give them a thrill of a lifetime," said Maj. Jonathan "Jon" Greene, who pilots the No. 3 F-16 that flies to the right of the lead jet in the team's diamond formation.

"And it feels especially good to know we will be helping a lot of people who have lost their jobs because of the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11."

It will be the Thunderbirds' first performance since a show in Midland, Texas, two weeks ago.

Profits from the show at the Jean Sports Aviation Center, 25 miles south of Las Vegas, will benefit the United Way of Southern Nevada's Displaced Workers Response Fund, designed to assist thousands of workers laid off in the wake of the terrorist attacks.

The fund will receive 10 percent of the profits, along with 75 percent of the contributions collected during the event, which will feature aerial performances from noon-4 p.m. both days, with the Thunderbirds making their appearances during the final 30 minutes of the event.

Sgt. Jason Ownes, 29, the crew chief of the Thunderbird's No. 3 red, white and blue F-16, echoes Greene's sentiments about helping Las Vegans who are suffering because of the economic crunch.

"It definitely feels good to help the community out this way," said Owens, an Indiana native. "I feel for the people who are out of work because almost anyone can be trained to do what I do, like a lot of hard-working people who lost their jobs."

Greene, 35, a father of two from Tampa, Fla., who served in Saudi Arabia patrolling Middle East no-fly zones before joining the Thunderbirds two years ago, said he would relish the chance to see action.

"I definitely would love to be over there -- I admire them (front-line pilots) because they are the true heroes," Greene said. "However, the job we do demonstrating the equipment and what we have learned is our mission, and it is an important one."

Owens said it would be "definitely awesome" to join his colleagues in battling terrorism overseas. But, he said, "We play an important role in encouraging patriotism and pride here. And it shows the American public that it's not all about dropping bombs."

The air show also will feature appearances by the Air Force Special Forces, the A-10 Thunderbolt, an F-117 stealth fighter and a B-1B bomber, among other aircraft. Also, a carnival featuring food, exhibits and live entertainment will be held from 9 a.m.-9 p.m. The event will open with a parade in Jean at 11 a.m. Saturday.

Tickets are $12 at the gate. Children 10 and younger will be admitted free when accompanied by an adult. Tickets may be purchased in advance for $10 at any Ticketmaster outlet, or by calling 474-4000.