SPORTS>>02-02-07

NELLIS AIR FORCE BASE, Nev. (AFNEWS) — The U.S. Air Force Air Demonstration Squadron, the Thunderbirds, is scheduled to perform a flyby of Dolphin Stadium during Super Bowl XLI Feb. 4 over Miami.

The team’s red, white and blue F-16 Fighting Falcons will roar over in their signature six-ship Delta formation at the conclusion of the national anthem flying at approximately 500 feet and 450 mph. “We are honored to participate in the Super Bowl, especially this year, as the United States Air Force commemorates our 60th Anniversary,” said Lt. Col. Kevin Robbins, the Thunderbirds commander and leader.

The Super Bowl is the nation’s highest-rated TV program annually. According to the NFL, more than 141 million viewers in the U.S. tuned into last year’s game. Super Bowl XLI will be broadcast to a potential worldwide audience of 1 billion in more than 230 countries and territories. Flying over the Super Bowl is just one of many events the Thunderbirds will participate in during 2007 to commemorate the Air Force’s six decades of air and space power.”

The Thunderbirds are an Air Combat Command unit composed of eight pilots (including six demonstration pilots), four support officers, four civilians and approximately 120 enlisted Airmen performing in more than 25 career specialties. “Our job is to represent the thousands of Airmen who serve their country on a daily basis, including more than 35,000 of those fighting on the front lines in the war on terrorism,” Colonel Robbins said.