{"id":25738,"date":"2017-12-13T18:58:45","date_gmt":"2017-12-13T18:58:45","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/airforcetimes\/uncategorized\/2017\/12\/13\/air-force-thunderbirds-pick-new-commander\/"},"modified":"2026-08-07T20:41:52","modified_gmt":"2026-08-07T20:41:52","slug":"air-force-thunderbirds-pick-new-commander","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/airforcetimes\/news\/your-air-force\/2017\/12\/13\/air-force-thunderbirds-pick-new-commander\/","title":{"rendered":"Air Force Thunderbirds pick new commander"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

The Thunderbirds announced who will become the squadron\u2019s commander and lead pilot after the previous commander was relieved last month.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Lt. Col. Kevin Walsh will become Thunderbird No. 1, the Thunderbirds announced on Wednesday.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Walsh, a 2002 Air Force Academy graduate, will lead more than 130 enlisted personnel and 11 officers assigned to the squadron, along with all demonstration flights.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He just completed his second season wtih the team as Thunderbird No. 7, the squadron\u2019s operations officer, according to the news release.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cKevin\u2019s extensive flying experience and rapport within the Thunderbirds makes him a perfect fit to command the team,\u201d Brig. Gen. Jeannie Leavitt, 57th Wing Commander, said in the release. \u201cI have full faith he will lead the team through a successful 2018 show season.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Walsh is also a graduate of the Air Force Weapons School and has logged more than 2,000 flying hours, including more than 500 hours of combat pilot experience.<\/p>\n\n\n\t