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)
Air Force exercises in the Indo-Pacific may soon get even bigger and more robust, as lawmakers move to invest more than $620 million in such efforts. The bulk of that money, contained in a $150 billion reconciliation package currently making its way through Congress, is $532.6 million for earmarked for…