The 12th Fighter Squadron at Elmendorf AFB, Alaska, will be sending a second pilot for the second year in a row to the Air Force Thunderbirds Aerial Demonstration Team. Second Lt. Erin Slaughter reports that USAF has selected Lt. Col. Gregory Thomas to fill the T-Birds No. 1 position for the 2008 and 2009 air show seasons. Thomas will command the Thunderbird’s 120-person squadron.
F-15E Aviator Missing in Iran Rescued by US Forces
April 5, 2026
The second crew member of the F-15E shot down April 3 has been rescued from Iran. U.S. forces recovered the aviator alive and all American forces involved in the operation are believed to be safe, U.S. officials told Air & Space Forces Magazine.