The Thunderbirds air demonstration squadron has returned home to Nellis AFB, Nev., after a six-week tour of the Pacific Far East that started in late September. The team capped its Pacific tour by performing at the Seoul air show from Oct. 23-25 after shows in Australia, Guam, Hawaii, Japan, Malaysia, and Thailand. “America has an unbelievable relationship with many countries in the Far East, and our tour over the last six weeks representing America’s airmen has been a great success and a humbling opportunity for the entire Thunderbird team,” said Lt. Col. Greg Thomas, Thunderbirds commander. The squadron will perform at the Wings Over Homestead air show Nov. 7-8 at Homestead ARB, Fla., and then conclude its 2009 season with performances at Nellis Nov. 14-15. (Nellis report by TSgt. Randy Redman)
Secretary of Defense Austin Lloyd III met with his counterparts from Australia, Japan and the Philippines to discuss bolstering defense ties on May 2. The discussion included plans for joint F-35 exercises with Japan and Australia in the coming years.