Attachment 1 - 2024 TBirds Support Manual - See Page 15 for Smoke Oil Requirements.pdf

2024 Support Manual

United States Air Force

Air Demonstration Squadron

Thunderbirds

Summary of Changes

- Added Page Numbers

- Updated Thunderbird POC contact information.

- Excel Project Officer Timeline Checklist will be emailed once Airshow Information Sheet provided to Events Coordinator

- Added clarification on when aerobatic box needs to be sanitized

- Cable divert distance calculations clarified

- Military show sites now required to provide offsite gym option

- Oil barrel numbers updated for 3 day shows

- Considerations for parasailers & banner towers added

- Clarified vehicle makeup (compact/midsize SUV vs Full-Size SUVs) and updated numbers required

- Updated planned practice times on Friday morning if West to East coast travel happens day prior

- Cable certification and considerations added

- ACC A3/A3TA Contact info added for cable coordination

- Ground radio requirements deleted

- “Public Relations” (aka: PR) events now referred to as “Community Outreach Events” (COEs)

- Guidance added regarding proximity of hangar ‘community outreach events” to jet parking for noise considerations

- Drive In show discussion added

- Hometown Hero/Media Flights now target integration with the Delta practice on Friday PM using the same TFR

- Thunderbird Pitch and deconfliction discussion added

- Attachments re-ordered

- Attachment 12 Clarified forklift options (straight mast vs Tele-hander, 10k vs 8k), no chalk or puffy spray paint

- Attachment 24 Updated Digital Ticket examples

Table of Contents

KEYS TO SUCCESS

CHAPTER 1 GETTING STARTED

CHAPTER 2 HOUSING/GYM

CHAPTER 3 TRANSPORTATION

CHAPTER 4 MAINTENANCE

CHAPTER 5 SECURITY

CHAPTER 6 PUBLIC ADDRESS SYSTEM

CHAPTER 7 AIRFIELD SET UP

CHAPTER 8 OPERATIONS

CHAPTER 9 ADVANCE PILOT MEETING

CHAPTER 10 FAA WAIVERS / NOTAMS

CHAPTER 11 PUBLICITY

CHAPTER 12 COMMUNITY OUTREACH

CHAPTER 13 HOMETOWN HERO AND MEDIA FLIGHTS

CHAPTER 14 AIR FORCE RECRUITING

CHAPTER 15 POST-SHOW REPORT

CHAPTER 16 PUBLIC AFFAIRS/RECRUITING CHECKLIST

CHAPTER 17 TIMETABLES

ATTACHMENTS:

Attachment 1 Thunderbird Project Officer’s Checklist

Attachment 2 Military Air Show Information Sheet

Attachment 3 Civilian Air Show Information Sheet

Attachment 4 Sample Air show Schedule of Events

Attachment 5 Example Aerobatic Box Diagram Attachment 6 Example Parking Plan Attachment 7 Example Overwater Show Site Diagram

Attachment 8 Example Weight Bearing Waiver

Attachment 9 Sample FAA Waiver Application for Arrival Maneuvers

Attachment 10 Sample FAA Waiver Application for Aerial Demonstration

Attachment 11 Sample Memo-TFR Request

Attachment 12 Quick Reference Table of Maintenance Requirements

Attachment 13 Community Outreach Request Form

Attachment 14 Media/Hometown Hero Measurement Guidance Sheet

Attachment 14-1 Media/Hometown Hero Medical Evaluation Form

Attachment 14-2 Media/Hometown Hero Nomination Information Sheet

Attachment 14-3 Media/Hometown Hero Measurement Sheet Attachment 14-4 Media/Hometown Hero Hold Harmless Agreement Attachment 15 Lithograph Request Form

Attachment 16 Fallen Warrior Nomination Form

Attachment 17 Public Affairs Post-Show Report

Attachment 18 Execution Checklist

Attachment 19 Memorandum of Agreement for Arresting Gear

Attachment 20 Memorandum of Understanding for AGE Equipment

Attachment 21 Support Manual Compliance Certificate

Attachment 22 Thunderbird Evaluation Form

Attachment 23 Google Earth Example Map

Attachment 24 Digital Ticket Example

GLOSSARY

Keys to Success

1. Read this support manual thoroughly! We realize it is a lengthy document and even if you have recently hosted the team, our requirements evolve yearly as we fine tune our operation. Please do not assume you already know the current requirements as there have been many changes. After reading this manual, sign, scan and email the

Support Manual Compliance Certificate (Attachment 21) to the Thunderbird Air Show Events Coordinator

(michael.rux@us.af.mil) no later than 31 Jan 2023 or when your first ‘deliverable’ is due, whichever occurs first.

Once the Support Manual Compliance Certificate has been emailed and received by our Thunderbird Air Show

Events Coordinator, you will be given access to a Microsoft Excel Timeline Tracker. This document will auto-populate all your due out deadlines, in chronological order, for easy visibility and tracking.

2. Ensure that the TFR and waivers are in effect and no aircraft (commuters, other demo teams, civilian traffic, etc.)

enter into the airspace during arrival, practice and demonstration aerial work. Make sure the center of TFR and

Waivers are based off of Show Center as opposed to the airfield center of mass. At times this can be up to a mile off and could be a potential show stopper.

3. If your show is a remote deployed show, ensure the airfield that our jets are operating from is no greater than 50 nautical miles from Show Center.

4. Arrange for snow/FOD fencing for the entire crowd line with no gaps below the fence and ensure distance from

Thunderbirds’ jets nose tires to crowd line is ≥300’.

5. Ensure that Thunderbirds maintenance hangar is available for Thunderbirds use upon Advance Pilot arrival.

Ensure there is enough room for all 8 aircraft to be stored in the hangar in the case of inclement weather.

6. Attempt to have jet parking in the same location from arrival until departure. Ensure your ground parking plan takes into account the Thunderbirds aircraft and how that will affect your static aircraft arrival and parking.

7. Provide access to tow jets from hangar to jet parking location during duration of stay without towing through the crowd line.

8. Ensure all required AGE and vehicles are in place and ready for inspection at the designated time on the team’s arrival day. Give yourself adequate time to collect and position all of the vehicles. In many cases, this will require you to place them the night before the team’s arrival.

9. Ensure highly-visible show center and bomb burst markers are in place with accurate GPS coordinates in DD

MM.MMM format prior to Advance Pilot’s arrival. Accurate placement of the markers cannot be stressed enough. Thunderbird 1 will use these markers as his primary visual references. Please make every attempt to have them in place prior to Thunderbird 8’s arrival. It is highly recommended that the individual placing the marker utilize GPS equipment for correct placement.

10. Ensure the airfield is swept for debris before the first F-16 arrives to ensure all taxiways, parking areas and runways are clear of debris that could damage the F-16’s engine. Please note, even small pebbles or loose asphalt can cause engine damage.

11. Please contact us with any questions you might have. We are willing to discuss options to ensure your airshow is a success!

Chapter 1

Getting Started

1. IN GENERAL: We make operational and management decisions based upon the information you provide us.

Ensure you keep our Thunderbird Air Show Events Coordinator informed and meet the planning checklist requirements and timeline.

2. THUNDERBIRD PROJECT OFFICER: Name one individual as your Thunderbird Project Officer and allow that person to be the sole source of contact with the Thunderbird Air Show Events Coordinator and Thunderbird 8.

a. The Thunderbird Project Officer must read this manual and be acquainted with the respective areas of responsibility. He or she should be able to discuss all details of your air show and our operational requirements. Details will include, but are not limited to, your schedule of events, FAA waivers, airfield/show site diagrams, housing and transportation requirements, community engagement requests, etc.

b. The Thunderbird Project Officer must be readily available for direct coordination at least 60 days prior to the air show. Please do not send your project officer on temporary duty (TDY) during this time, or assign additional duties that could conflict with air show requirements.

c. The Thunderbird Project Officer needs to meet the Advance Pilot upon his or her arrival. For deployed sites, the Project Officer needs to be available at the Thunderbird aircraft parking location.

3. AIR FORCE RECRUITER: Recruiting quality candidates for military service is the heart of the Thunderbird mission. It is essential that local recruiters take an active role in coordinating activities that enhance recruiting.

Recruiters must work closely with your Public Affairs or Publicity representative for maximum benefit from our visit. Please keep them involved during your planning as they are a valuable resource.

4. PUBLIC AFFAIRS: An effective publicity campaign is crucial to a successful air show. The Public Affairs representative is a critical role and he/she must be extremely proactive in efforts to distribute all pre-show publicity, arrange for media interviews, community engagement commitments, and live coverage of the air show.

The representative is also responsible for coordinating with local recruiters, and coordinating all receptions, dinners, and community outreach engagements. They should consider using established communication channels to collaborate with organizations that represent the diversity of the local community. They should also inform the Thunderbirds as to which events are spouse/children friendly for Thunderbird families who have traveled to the show site. He or she will not commit the Thunderbirds to any engagements until they receive authorization from

Thunderbird 12, our Public Affairs Officer.

5. MEDICAL REPRESENTATIVE: The Medical representative serves as a liaison between the Thunderbird Flight

Surgeon and the nearest medical facility. The representative need not be on call and does not need to attend the

Advance Pilot meeting. He or she simply acts as a liaison and provides information to our doctor.

6. MAILING ADDRESS

a. When corresponding with the Thunderbirds, send all letters and packages to:

(NAME)

USAFADS “Thunderbirds” 4445 Tyndall Ave

Nellis AFB NV 89191-6079

b. Send important information by priority mail, in sufficient time to reach us before the suspense date.

7. TELEPHONE NUMBERS

a. Thunderbird Air Show Events Coordinator – Mr. Michael “Teddy” Rux Comm (702) 679-2222

Cell (702) 378-7956

E-mail: michael.rux@us.af.mil

b. Thunderbird 8, Advance Pilot/Narrator – Major Bryce “Triple” Turner Comm (702) 679-2222

Cell (702) 271-6628

E-mail: Bryce.Turner.3@us.af.mil / afthunderbird8@gmail.com

c. Thunderbird Maintenance Coordinators - (TB#8 Dedicated Crew Chiefs…Please CC both when emailing)

TSgt Chase Bradovich - Email: Chase.Bradovich@us.af.mil

SSgt Khari Coleman - Email: Khari.Coleman@us.af.mil

d. Thunderbird 12, Public Affairs Officer – Captain Krystal Jimenez Cell (702) 378-7950 Email: krystal.jimenez.1@us.af.mil / afthunderbirds@gmail.com

e. Thunderbird 5, Lead Solo and Show Site Map/Aerobatic Box Coordinator – Major Eric “Miami” Tise E-mail: afthunderbirdfive@gmail.com

f. Thunderbirds Recruiter – MSgt Andrew Burdette

Cell (702) 538-4232

E-mail: andrew.burdette@us.af.mil

8. AIR SHOW INFORMATION SHEET

a. The Air Show Information Sheet (Attachment 2 for military show locations or Attachment 3 for civilian show locations) contains essential information needed to prepare our itinerary. Please send as much information as possible immediately after ICAS so that we can begin the coordination process. The final version is due to the

Thunderbird Air Show Events Coordinator no later than 60 days prior to your air show.

b. When filling out the information sheet, be sure to include the full name and rank (if applicable) of all individuals, and commercial, DSN, and cell phone numbers.

c. Correct spelling is extremely important, as some individuals will receive personalized lithographs derived from the information sheet. For military members, please verify what the individual’s rank will be at the time of our visit.

9. SCHEDULE OF EVENTS

a. As soon as possible, please provide the Thunderbird Air Show Events Coordinator with a detailed schedule of your air show. It needs to list every event or flight where Thunderbird participation is expected (See Sample

Air Show Schedule of Events at Attachment 4).

mailto:michael.rux@us.af.mil mailto:afthunderbird8@gmail.com

GETTING STARTED CHECKLIST

Have you:

YES

N/A

1. Sent your Support Manual Compliance Certificate (Attachment 21) and received the Excel Timeline Tracker?

2. Sent your Air Show Information Sheet (Attachment 2 or 3)?

3. Sent your Schedule of Events?

Chapter 2

Housing/Gym

1. HOUSING

a. Thunderbird Commander’s Support Staff will work to obtain suitable lodging facilities for our team at your location soon after the season’s schedule is approved and released to the public. Recommendations are always welcome, but the Thunderbird Commander Support Staff will determine the final choice of location.

b. During our show season we bring 65-70 personnel with us. Efficiency is critical to maintaining timeliness in our scheduled itinerary. We request the Thunderbird Project Officer make contact with our chosen hotel to coordinate our arrival and departure. It’s critical to coordinate the check-in/check-out process to maximize efficiency, allow the hotel to schedule appropriate staff to accommodate our large group processing, and determine if there are any other requirements necessary that can only be addressed from being on-site.

2. WORKOUT FACILITIES

a. The Thunderbirds are required to maintain a rigorous physical conditioning program during the show season.

Please ensure that the Thunderbirds have access to a facility with a complete weight training area as well as a cardio training area. It must be available during the team’s entire stay and near the billeting location with fees waived. The team does not need exclusive use of the facility, but rather access during normal business hours.

Typical exercise facilities in hotels are not sufficient. Please work with Thunderbird #8 if you have any questions or require assistance.

b. Military show sites are still required to coordinate access to an off-base gym during the Team’s stay due to traffic jams that often prevent timely access to the installation on show days. Certain bases have unique layouts (i.e., multiple sides to a joint base, or the team is already staying on base) that may still permit easy access to the gym. In this case, request approval with Thunderbird 8 to use a base gym as your primary game plan and ensure the gym will remain open throughout the weekend and/or holiday from 0600-2200. If base gym access is provided to the team, many military show sites in the past have provided 24-hr access cards to the base gym to accommodate our swing shift personnel. We will leave access cards inside rental vehicle cup holders when we return the rental vehicles prior to the departure of the team.

c. While the Thunderbirds travel with between 65-70 personnel, a realistic expectation for the number of team members utilizing gym facilities each day is closer to 25-30 personnel. We request approval for all

Thunderbird members to utilize gym facilities, however the reduced actual usage figure may help gym management approve your request for access at non-military facilities.

HOUSING/GYM CHECKLIST

N/A

1. For a military show site, have you coordinated off-base gym access? If not, have you received approval to provide only base gym use and have you ensured normal business hours of operation for the duration of our stay?

2. For a civilian show site, have you coordinated for a gym for use by the team for the duration of our stay?

3. Are the fees waived? [ ] [ ]

Chapter 3

Transportation

1. GENERAL

a. The host Transportation representative must ensure vehicle requirements are met. Our Thunderbird Air Show

Events Coordinator needs a written status report at least 60 days prior to your show date.

b. Funding for vehicles, to include insurance, is the responsibility of the show site. In case of accidental damage, the show site must be prepared to cover the deductible.

c. Thunderbird personnel do not provide rental contract information to show sites. It is the show site’s responsibility to provide vehicles for Thunderbird use. Please fill out all the rental contract paperwork prior to the arrival of the Advance Pilot. If you run into any issues, please contact our Events Coordinator or Advance

Pilot immediately.

d. Regardless of the type of vehicles provided (rentals, courtesy, etc.) we will not accept vehicles with ANY type of advertisement, dealership stickers, etc., as this could be interpreted as an implied endorsement by the USAF or the Thunderbirds.

e. Unique situations, such as show site provided transit of Thunderbird personnel to/from hotel and airport, may drive changes to the team’s transportation requirements. Any changes must be specifically coordinated in writing with the Thunderbird Events Coordinator and agreed upon 30 days prior to the show.

2. VEHICLES

a. The host transportation representative must ensure:

(1) Host personnel are briefed to release all required vehicles. We will ensure our people are qualified to operate rental, courtesy, or military vehicles.

(2) All vehicles assigned for team use must be available for the duration of our stay including early arrivals, late departures, or extended stay due to aircraft maintenance problems.

(3) Please attempt to place all vehicles on the flight line side and in the vicinity of the Thunderbird support aircraft arrival parking area. Please do not mix Thunderbird vehicles with any other air show vehicles.

(4) All vehicles assigned for Thunderbird use are authorized for the flight line as well as for use on and off base.

(5) All vehicles are in place, fully serviced and fueled with keys above the visor. The Advance Pilot and/or

Crew Chief will inventory and inspect the vehicles. The transportation representative must be present during the inspection. Make every effort to have the vehicles ready for inspection on the day Thunderbird 8 arrives, but NO LATER THAN 2 hours prior to the STAR arrival.

(6) All vehicles are in good mechanical condition and dependable with adequate seating and seat belts.

(7) Provide contact information to the Advance Pilot for 24-hour assistance in case of vehicle problems.

(8) All cars must be non-smoking cars and cannot have been previously smoked-in vehicles (due to allergic and medical concerns for military members). Further, show sites must check to ensure the interior of all cars are clean (i.e.: trash from previous renters removed, seats cleaned of pet hair, etc.)

(9) Please consider how toll roads in your local area may affect team operations/movements and address this with the Aerial Events Coordinator or Thunderbird 8.

3. COURTESY CARS

a. Please ensure those groups providing courtesy vehicles understand they will be used on and around the flight lines, outdoors, and in some cases off paved roads. The vehicles will be used to transport equipment required to service the aircraft to include use of the truck beds. We will make EVERY effort to keep the vehicles in the condition they were given to us, but they are work vehicles during our stay.

4. REQUIRED VEHICLES

a. Minimum vehicle requirements are:

Total vehicles required = 35 + 3 Golf Carts

19 Sedans (compact/mid-size SUVs are acceptable options. If able, two of these 19 vehicles are requested to be compact/midsize SUVs) 13 Mini-vans or Large SUVs (e.g. Nissan Armada/Chevy Suburban…compact/mid-size SUVs NOT substitutable) 1* Full-size (15 passenger) van WITH SEATING FOR 15 PASSENGERS. If this is difficult to attain, alternatives can be arranged. (If your show is a deployed show, please contact the Thunderbird Events Coordinator before reserving this vehicle as it may not be required) 1 Standard size 4-passenger truck with hitch receiver capable of towing 4,500 lbs., trailer lights wiring with

4 doors and air conditioning (Please ensure the trailer lights wiring is in good working condition)

1 12’-long (minimum) flat-bed (or stake-bed) truck (1 or 1½ ton) (with smoke oil loaded)

3 Golf carts for Public Affairs, Recruiter and Communication Personnel (request one 4-6 passenger golf cart if available)

NOTE: The number of vehicles required may change depending on the length of our trip, show type, distinguished visitors traveling with the team, etc. Please contact Thunderbird Air Show Events

Coordinator prior to making vehicle arrangements to get an updated list of required vehicles.

* Contact us with any questions or concerns about the 15-pax van requirement as it may not be needed to execute our operations

b. The flatbed truck may be substituted for a trailer with low sides capable of holding six 55-gallon drums of smoke oil.

5. FLIGHT LINE ACCESSIBILITY

a. The host Transportation representative must ensure that all vehicles assigned to the Thunderbird team have access to the flight line starting with the arrival of the advance team through the team’s departure. Please make every attempt to work with ramp security to accomplish this regardless of military or civilian show site. The vehicles provided are mission critical and are essential to the movement of our equipment on a daily basis.

b. All Thunderbirds are required to possess an airfield driver’s license at Nellis AFB. We drive around nearly every type of aircraft in the Air Force inventory on one of the busiest flight lines. Due to the time constraints, we do not have time to receive an Airfield Driving briefing from each site we go to. Please work with the Air

Show Coordinator if your airfield management insists on providing a brief.

c. Vehicle access to and from the support aircraft, Thunderbird jets, and the designated hangar should be coordinated with the Airboss and/or control tower so that minimal communication is required for the vehicles.

Experience has shown that requiring clearance across or down active taxiways can create unacceptable delays. We request active taxiways be placed in uncontrolled status to allow vehicles to cross without requiring a clearance from ground control – the Thunderbirds will give way to any taxiing aircraft. If such a situation is unavoidable, please provide escorts on both sides of the affected taxiway to facilitate vehicle travel from the arrival of the morning shift until all aircraft maintenance is completed each day.

d. We will place a Thunderbird placard on the dash of each vehicle assigned for our use as the primary means of identification. Please ensure security and traffic-control personnel are briefed.

e. Due to the dynamic nature of our show schedule, the Thunderbirds are unable to provide an EAL. However, we will provide a passenger manifest NLT 24 hours prior to the team’s arrival. This manifest includes all official Thunderbird personnel.

6. VEHICLE TURN-IN

a. Thunderbird personnel will return all vehicles near the support aircraft parking location. All vehicles will be returned with fuel remaining only.

TRANSPORTATION CHECKLIST

Have you: YES N/A

1. Provided a written status report 60 days prior? [ ] [ ]

2. Cleared all Thunderbird vehicles for flight line use? [ ] [ ]

3. Ensured all 34 vehicles and 3 Golf Carts will be available for the duration of our stay?

4. Notified the rental car representative of the time and location of the

Advance Pilot’s Meeting?

5. Arranged to park the vehicles near the support aircraft? [ ] [ ]

6. Fueled and serviced all vehicles? [ ] [ ]

7. Arranged TWO vehicles for the early arrival of the Advance Pilot and

Crew Chief? (Sedan and minivan)

Chapter 4

Maintenance

1. GENERAL: The air show is responsible for obtaining and arranging the required support listed in this manual, and for incurring the costs involved in obtaining and transporting the equipment and materials. The show site is also responsible for any fuel costs associated with AGE equipment use. Please provide the Thunderbird Air Show

Events Coordinator a written status report of all equipment at least 60 days prior to your show date.

a. In addition to the initial 60 days prior written status report, the show site must provide a 30 days prior written status of any equipment shortfalls (missing equipment, reduced quantities, etc.) or intent to substitute any of the required equipment with non-approved (not listed in Attachment 12) substitutes.

2. FOREIGN OBJECT DAMAGE (FOD) CONTROL

a. FOD refers to damage to aircraft components, i.e., flight controls, tires, or engines, due to foreign objects such as loose gravel, nuts, bolts, etc.

b. F-16s are highly susceptible to FOD. Ensure all taxiways, parking areas, and runways are swept and cleaned prior to the arrival of the Advance Pilot, and that these areas remain clean during our stay. Do not use sweepers that have steel bristles. Do not plan to park the F-16s on a ramp that is breaking up, or has an asphalt/gravel surface that releases pebbles easily.

c. Snow fencing is highly recommended and will prevent FOD from blowing onto the runways and taxiways.

Ensure snow fencing is erected so it touches the ground and is sandbagged to prevent trash blowing underneath the fence. Orange, nylon FOD fencing is an acceptable alternative to snow fencing along the crowd line. Also, please place containers suitable for FOD disposal (two garbage cans) near our maintenance hangar.

3. ARRIVAL PARKING COORDINATION

a. We request to park in our show parking location upon arrival. We will NOT accept a plan which requires towing all 8 aircraft each day. Arrangements can be made for us to position to show center after Friday’s rehearsal and remain there until our departure. Please work with the Advance Pilot and Crew Chief for alternative parking solutions if required.

b. For downloading and uploading cargo on arrival and departure days, park the C-17 or C-130 support aircraft as close to the maintenance hangar as possible.

c. The host site Maintenance representative must be available upon the arrival of the Advance Pilot and Crew

Chief. The Maintenance representative should plan to shadow the Advance Crew Chief for the remainder of the day and be available for the entire duration of the Thunderbirds stay.

4. HANGAR SPACE

a. We may need to hangar our 8 F-16s for security reasons, inclement weather, or aircraft maintenance. The dedicated hangar should be clear of all aircraft/equipment prior to the arrival of the advance team (do not plan on using our dedicated hangar space for air show parties/functions). It should NOT be located across an active runway from our parking location. If you cannot guarantee hangar space to protect these resources, we may be unable to perform at your site.

(1) Ensure the hangar space is empty and dedicated for our exclusive use throughout our stay.

(2) The hangar must have a minimum of 15,000 square feet of usable floor space with 20-foot door/ceiling clearance, or equivalent space in multiple hangars.

(3) The cost of hangar space is the show sponsor’s responsibility, to include our extended stay due to maintenance or airlift support problems.

(4) If there is additional space in our dedicated hangar and it is shared with other aircraft, equipment, etc, we must be able to tow our aircraft into and out of the hangar at any time (during duty and off-duty hours) during our stay without hindrance by the other aircraft, equipment, etc.

b. We need unlimited access to tow an F-16 from the hangar to the show parking location without traveling through the crowd. If the tow route is through the crowd area, this will require you to rope off a route or provide escorts to clear a path through the crowd and enable safe expeditious towing during show hours.

5. AIRCRAFT ENGINE OIL SAMPLES

a. We carry a Spectroil Jr. oil-analysis machine and will provide this service for other military demo teams, with prior coordination.

b. To operate the oil analysis machine, we require a ground floor area in a building (our primary maintenance hangar, fire station, etc.) with a trash can. It is preferable this building be as close to our support aircraft as possible.

6. FUEL REQUIREMENTS

a. We will need two single-point-refueling trucks and one de-fueling truck available for use during our stay.

(1) Normally, we will not refuel our F-16s until after our support aircraft arrives and media/flight line activities are concluded.

(2) Fuel trucks should be in place 30 minutes after our initial arrival.

(3) Post-practice/show refueling will be coordinated for 1 hour after landing through our Maintenance

Operation Control representative via phone or radio.

b. We will pay for fuel at military show sites using the DoD fuel card for each respective aircraft. Civilian show sites purchasing jet fuel will be reimbursed at the DoD Fuels Contract rate or into-plane price. As we only pay for fuel consumed, do not make any guarantees to the vendor. If ordering from an Air Force facility, you may have to pay for handling, transportation, and/or storage.

(1) The show site must pay the difference above the into-plane cost.

(2) Costs related to transporting fuel is the responsibility of the show site.

c. Fuel Quantities – Each aircraft burns approximately 800 gallons of aviation turbine fuel per flight.

(1) Each aircraft will require approximately 800 gallons after our arrival and survey.

(2) A practice flight consumes approximately 4,800 gallons of aviation turbine fuel.

(3) A demonstration flight consumes approximately 4,800 gallons of aviation turbine fuel.

(4) A media flight consumes approximately 900 gallons of aviation turbine fuel.

(5) A standard weekend including 2 practices, 2 demonstrations, and 2 media flights will require approximately 21,000 gallons of aviation turbine fuel.

(6) The support aircraft crew will pay for their own fuel and will require approximately 6,000 gallons.

d. Fuel Specifications – Acceptable fuels for Thunderbird aircraft include JP-4 (NATO Code F-40), JP-5 (NATO

Code F-44), JP-8 (NATO Code F-34), Jet A with military additives (NATO Code F-24); Jet A, Jet A w/Fuel

System Icing Inhibitor (FSII), Jet A-1 (NATO Code F-35), Jet A-1 w/FSII, and TS-1 with U.S. military additives. Thunderbird fuel must be fuel-lab certified and provided by a certified vendor. All fuel must meet respective fuel grade specification, regardless of the type, including FSII limits.

(1) Aviation turbine fuel use limits:

i. Solids - 4.0 MG/Gal maximum

ii. FSII - .04-.20% by volume

iii. Electrical conductivity shall be 50 - 700 pS/m

(2) Aviation fuels must pass through two separate filtrations downstream of bulk storage, with at least one filtration being via the aircraft refueling equipment. All aviation turbine fuel must contain FSII.

7. SMOKE OIL REQUIREMENTS

NOTE: You should order smoke oil at least 60 days in advance of your show.

a. Purchasing Smoke Oil - smoke oil should be obtained in 55-gallon drums and placed on a 1 ton or 1½ ton truck or trailer with low sides. If all the drums cannot fit, please place a forklift by the remaining drums to assist in loading.

(1) Only full, unopened barrels are acceptable.

(2) For military show sites, the Thunderbirds will reimburse the cost of smoke oil used.

a. Military unit Resource Advisor will contact Thunderbirds Resource Advisor NET 30 calendar days prior to Thunderbirds arrival.

b. Provide completed contract, paid invoice, and signed hand receipt of quantity used to

Thunderbirds Resource Advisor NLT 10 business days after airshow.

c. Reimbursement will be through MIPR CAT I or CAT II (DD Form 448) and must be completed in DEAMS. Ensure Financial Management Accounting (FMA) office contact information is accurate and complete.

d. DD Form 448-2 must be provided to Thunderbirds Resource Advisor, once funds have been received, for accountability.

(3) For civilian show sites, the air show organizer is required to pay for all smoke oil.

(4) For both military/civilian show sites, consider building a clause that will allow you to return any unopened barrels of oil to the vendor into your smoke oil contract.

b. Smoke Oil Quantities - the Thunderbirds will require the following amounts of smoke oil (contingent upon our schedule at your location):

(1) 4 drums for the arrival survey

(2) 4 drums for Friday AM 4-ship practice

(3) 5 drums for Friday PM 6-ship practice

(4) 5 drums per demonstration flight (2 total)

(5) 1 drum per media flight

(6) A standard weekend consisting of the arrival, 2 practices, 2 demonstrations, and 1 hometown hero flight will require 24 drums of smoke oil

(7) For a 3-day show consisting of the arrival, 2 practices, 3 demonstrations, and 1 hometown hero flight we require 30 drums of smoke oil

(8) A standard weekend consisting of the arrival, 2 Thurs practices, 2 Fri practices, 2 demonstrations, and 1 hometown hero flight we will require 32 drums of smoke oil

NOTE: The number of barrels required may change depending on the length of our trip, and any extra flights planned at each location. The Thunderbirds Event Coordinator will let your show site know as soon as possible if there will be extra barrels required. Except for 3 day shows, any more than 24 barrels will be reimbursed by the Thunderbirds.

c. Smoke Oil Specifications – USAF Technical Orders only allow the use of the products listed below Please check each barrel individually during acceptance to avoid aircraft contamination.

(1) Acceptable smoke oil:

a. Chevron U.S.A., Inc Canopus 13 04BH0

b. Shell Oil Company Aeroshell Smoke Oil 5W416

c. Copper State Petrol. CSP Aviation Smoke Oil 6TAZ7

d. W.S. Dodge Oil Company Smoke Oil C13 0XAK2

e. PetroBlend Corporation Pure White Smoke Oil 7G4W2

f. Petro-Canada Paraflex HT10 Fluids 0NVS1

g. Phillips 66 Company Los Angeles, CA, Aviation Smoke Oil, 883E7

8. HYDRAZINE (H-70) SUPPORT

a. H-70 Response - The F-16 aircraft has an Emergency Power Unit (EPU) containing 6.8 gallons of hydrazine

(H-70). This particular solution is 70% pure hydrazine and 30% water.

(1) Disaster response procedures are necessary for any H-70 spill or leak, regardless of quantity or location.

(2) Thunderbird maintenance personnel will neutralize, contain, and remove all H-70 spills, then contact the appropriate base/area personnel.

i. Special H-70 Maintenance Area - In the unlikely event of an EPU activation or H-70 spill, we must have a designated area for maintenance near the runway. This area must be large enough to accommodate an F-16 aircraft and be located no less than 300 feet from any person or inhabited structure. Make sure this area is not near a sewer opening or drainage ditch, so the spill will not enter local water systems.

9. HAZARDOUS WASTE DISPOSAL

a. Please provide guidance on hazardous waste disposal for your location, as we require a means to dispose of hazardous waste (used hydraulic fluid, oil, fuel, soak up pads, etc.)

10. MAINTENANCE EQUIPMENT REQUIREMENTS

a. Exact requirements are listed in the charts on Attachment 12. This is the minimum amount of support equipment we require to guarantee a successful air show. It must be dedicated to the team for the duration of our stay.

b. If you are planning to co-utilize any of this equipment with anyone else, or make any substitutions, it must be discussed with the Thunderbird Air Show Events Coordinator at least 30 days prior to our arrival. Co- utilization may increase the quantities required to support your air show.

c. Maintenance equipment may be obtained from nearby military installations; however, you may be responsible for costs incurred in transporting the equipment. It is the show site’s responsibility to coordinate with military installations for the use of support equipment. Please check all equipment to ensure it is fully serviced and operational. The cost of fuel for AGE equipment is the responsibility of the show site.

d. Maintenance equipment must be in place near the maintenance hangar or nearby location before the Advance

Pilot arrives. To facilitate ease of operations, it is critical to place any ground support equipment in one location that is easy to access.

e. In the event a military installation requires a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to utilize maintenance equipment, a sample MOU is attached (See Attachment 23) for reference.

f. Telehandler forklifts greatly complicate the airlift download/upload process for our loadmasters due to tight aircraft clearances. Please make every effort to procure a 10k (ideal) or an 8k (acceptable) upright-mast forklift (see Attachment 12 for specifications and forklift minimum tine length requirements).

11. OTHER

a. Don’t locate your Community Outreach Event in a hangar that is next to jet/hot ramp parking. AGE is often very loud and it is an annoyance to the event for all and we cannot sacrifice jet maintenance for noise mitigation. Recommend the event be at least ½ mile away if a closed hangar event, or 1 mile if open.

MAINTENANCE CHECKLIST

NA

1. Arranged for sweeping and cleaning parking ramps, runways, and taxiways prior to Advance Pilot arrival?

2. Ensured the designated parking area has certified grounding points for all 8 F-16s?

3. Coordinated parking spaces for our aircraft upon arrival, the day of the show, and on departure day?

4. Procured all equipment listed in Attachment 12 and hangar space?

5. Designated facilities for our oil analysis lab? [ ] [ ]

6. Ensured support equipment is serviced and operational? [ ] [ ]

7. Placed all support equipment near our maintenance hangar? [ ] [ ]

8. Procured fuel and smoke oil? [ ] [ ]

9. Confirmed that fuel costs will be at or lower than government-contract prices?

10. Coordinated maintenance-support arrangements with our

Thunderbird Air Show Events Coordinator?

11. Designated an isolated area for hydrazine (H-70)?

12. Contacted the base frequency monitor to confirm our land mobile radio (LMR) frequencies?

13. Inspected the hangar space to make sure it is compliant? [ ] [ ]

14. Provided a status report for maintenance equipment to [ ] [ ] the Events Coordinator 60 days prior?

15. Provided a status report for equipment shortfalls and [ ] [ ] substitution intents 30 days prior?

Chapter 5

Security

1. CROWD SECURITY

a. Well-organized crowd control is essential to ensure the safety of spectators and to satisfy FAA requirements.

b. For effective crowd security, the air show must:

(1) Set up a physical barrier to act as a crowd line and keep all spectators behind this line.

(2) Establish procedures, including road closures, physical sweeps, or water patrols, to clear the aerobatic box prior to any aerobatic flight. This includes practices and any other time aerobatics will be performed in the aerobatic box. The Thunderbird Event Coordinator will indicate any flights, outside of the practice and show performances, that require a sanitized aerobatic box.

(3) Position one security/law enforcement person at either the air boss stand or at our communications trailer during our flight times. (This applies to both practices and demonstrations.) It is very important for this person to have a reliable communication link to other security personnel on the site in order to quickly correct security deficiencies.

(4) Brief your air show security team on all procedures for the air show.

(5) Provide a crowd count estimate to the host Public Affairs representative within 24 hours after the show.

c. Bona fide photographers desiring to take photographs closer than the crowd line must get approval from, and be escorted by, a Thunderbird Public Affairs representative.

2. AIRCRAFT SECURITY

a. The Security/Law Enforcement representative must coordinate all matters of aircraft security. He or she must:

(1) Arrange for 24-hour protection of all Thunderbird F-16s and the support aircraft, from Advance Pilot arrival until the team departs.

i. Military security forces are preferred for security detail.

ii. Police detail is acceptable if military security forces are unavailable.

iii. If our support aircraft will remain at your show site you must provide security for it as well. If the parking plan does not allow the same security detail to monitor both our F-16s and support aircraft you must provide additional security personnel.

(2) The show organizer is responsible for providing the security force and ensuring the F-16 and support aircraft parking areas are well lit at night.

(3) Establish access procedures for all Thunderbird aircraft. At no time will our support aircraft be open to the general public. Only personnel with Thunderbird escorts are authorized to be near any of our aircraft.

(4) Ensure Thunderbird members have unimpeded access to the aircraft at all times.

(5) Provide a representative to the Advance Pilot/Narrator meeting with “Red Line Status” for military installations.

3. POLICE ESCORTS

a. Due to the likelihood of traffic congestion leading into your show site on the day of the show, we will require two police escorts for each show day. Contact the Thunderbird Air Show Events Coordinator for times.

(1) We request a dedicated unit on the front and rear of the caravan.

(2) There should be enough additional units to stop traffic at intersections and lead our convoy through traffic lights.

b. There will be approximately 25 cars in our first departure and 10 in the second departure. All Thunderbird vehicles will be clearly marked with placards on the driver side window, Thunderbird flags attached to the driver’s side rear window and will travel with headlights and hazard lights on.

c. We request the lead police unit not exceed the posted speed limit.

d. For show sites where our lodging location is not in close proximity to the air show, be prepared to provide a

“staging location” where the Thunderbirds can meet the police escort into the show site. In all other cases, the police escort should begin at the lodging location for the team.

e. Alternatives to a police escort will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis by the Thunderbird Events

Coordinator. An example of an acceptable alternative is team access to the show site (both operations and maintenance work areas) via an additional non-public access gate that is relatively free of traffic during air show hours.

f. For military show sites, please coordinate between security forces as well as the local PD on whether the local

PD will take the cars all the way on base to their destination or if there will be a “hand off” of police escort duties to base SF once through the gate.

4. MOVEMENT ON BASE/AIRFIELD

a. The Thunderbird team needs to be able to move throughout the airfield or base environment quickly and efficiently in order to conduct our mission.

b. If billeted on base, ensure the vehicle traffic plan on air show days allows for team members to efficiently move from billeting to our work area. This may include providing traffic breaks to allow Thunderbird vehicles to cross general traffic inbound/outbound lanes, as well as allowing Thunderbird vehicles to pass through road blocks in order to get to the maintenance hangar and/or operations area. It is imperative these instructions are passed to the lowest echelon of security forces to allow efficient movement on base.

c. In the case of a civilian airport with secure gate access, ensure the Thunderbirds have the appropriate codes to access flight line gates and/or station security personnel at the gate to allow team member entry from 0600-

2200 hours.

d. If Thunderbirds are required to remain at the show site or airport after 2200 due to maintenance of our aircraft, or report to work prior to 0600, the show site is responsible for either providing 24-hour access gate codes or a

POC for “after-hours” access to and from the aircraft parking area.

SECURITY CHECKLIST

1. Established procedures to maintain the crowd line? [ ] [ ]

2. Arranged 24-hour security for our aircraft? [ ] [ ]

3. Arranged for and discussed procedures for police escorts? [ ] [ ]

4. Planned to provide a crowd count to your Public Affairs Rep? [ ] [ ]

5. Ensured unimpeded access to show site work areas for team members? [ ] [ ]

Chapter 6

Public Address System

1. GENERAL

a. It is your responsibility to provide a public address system for your air show. If you cannot provide a public address system, you must notify the Thunderbird Air Show Events Coordinator NLT 90 days prior to your show. We will bring our own public address system that covers approximately 300-foot frontal area and contains all amplifiers, speakers, microphones, and radios necessary for required transmission/reception. The

Thunderbird sound system will be used only for the Thunderbird demonstration. It is not available as a sound system for the entire show. We desire to tie-in to the show site’s public address system, but reserve the right to use our own system if required.

b. Commercial radio broadcasts of the narration and Thunderbird air show music are possible through direct tie-

in. We encourage shows with large crowd viewing areas – especially beach shows – to coordinate with a local radio station to broadcast the narration and music via a tie-in with our communications trailer; this will increase our exposure to the viewing crowd which may be out of listening range of the available speaker setup. The broadcast must be commercial free during the Thunderbird show.

c. If radio or TV stations need power, the sponsor must provide it.

d. During the Friday practice session the Thunderbird Communications Specialist will tie-in to the show site’s system. To make an accurate test of the show location system, it must be completely set-up and at the same volume levels that will be used for the show. Our communications specialists must control all tie-ins. No unauthorized tie-ins will be allowed.

e. Normally, the communications trailer is stowed in the maintenance hangar. At deployed show site locations, i.e. a beach, please provide either a secure storage facility at the show site, or provide overnight security at the communications trailer if left outside.

f. The communications trailer is 11ft 10in long, 6ft 3in wide, 7ft 2in high, and weighs 4,400 lbs.

2. SPONSOR REQUIREMENTS

a. Music Licensing Rights: The United States Air Force requires that any U.S. air show, civilian or military, hosting an Air Force aircraft demonstration must secure the necessary music licenses for broadcast of pre-recorded, copyrighted music over public address speaker systems. On behalf of all U.S. air shows, the

International Council of Air Shows (ICAS) has negotiated a special rate per public air show day from BMI and ASCAP and a special rate per airshow weekend from SESAC. These rates are not controlled or negotiated by the USAF and are subject to change. (Note: This rate applies only to music broadcast over the public address system during the air show portion of the program and does not provide the show with the right to use pre- recorded music at concerts or other non-air show special events held in conjunction with the air show.) Each event organizer should secure music licenses from BMI, ASCAP and SESAC and provide proof of licenses to the teams no later than 30 days prior to the event. Contacts to obtain these licenses are listed on the ICAS website (http://www.airshows.aero).

3. COMMUNICATIONS TRAILER SET UP

a. The communications trailer will be set up at or near show center or the Airboss stand just in-front of the crowd center line. Our communications trailer can be no farther than 50 feet from show center and ~500 feet from the public address system connection tie-in (which is usually co-located with the Airboss stand). Additionally, our communications trailer needs to be no greater than 250’ from the Friends & Family tent for wireless headset considerations & debrief capabilities. To ensure your VIPs have an unobstructed view of the demonstration, place your VIP section slightly to the left or right of show center, not directly behind the communications trailer.

b. Our PA system must be fully operational in order to perform our aerial demonstration. Normally, the system will be operational 1 hour prior to the Thunderbirds’ takeoff for the air show.

c. A three-to-five-minute sound check will be required before the demonstration. Our communications specialists will coordinate with the show site narrator or communications person prior to testing our system.

d. Our communication trailer personnel will need a golf cart for Saturday and Sunday setup. This is included in the vehicle request. We request the golf carts be located at the show site in the case of a deployed show.

e. Our communications system will be picked up following the autograph session. Please DO NOT handle any

Thunderbird PA equipment.

f. Request a 5-gallon container of mo-gas available on Friday’s practice day out at the communications trailer to power our generators.

g. Our current Communications Specialist Non-Commissioned Officer In-Charge/Point of Contact can be obtained from the Thunderbird Events Coordinator.

4. THUNDERBIRD AUDIO OUTPUTS

a. The audio signal from our communications trailer is a balanced line level, from an XLR connector.

The output will consist of music and narration only.

b. Stations desiring to patch into our system must be prepared to supply the cable for the tie-in. The cable should be long enough to reach our communications trailer (situated at show center near the crowd line), and have three pin XLR female connectors. This needs to be pre-coordinated with Thunderbird 7 or 8 or our Radio

Frequency specialists located at our communications trailer the weekend of the show. The station(s) will need to be in place no later than 1 hour prior to the start of our show.

5. PUBLIC ADDRESS EXPECTATIONS

a. From the beginning of our ground ceremony (15 minutes prior to takeoff) until the end of our aerial demonstration, no announcements on other PA systems, engine or APU runs, bands playing, drill teams marching, etc., should be allowed. Just prior to our autograph session we will allow the show announcer 2-3 minutes to make announcements and thank the crowd for attending the show as well as play appropriate music while we are on the autograph line. Aircraft departures are allowed during this time.

b. If you must make an emergency announcement during our show, please bring it to the Thunderbird communications trailer.

5. SAFETY

a. For the safety of all concerned, do not allow spectators to cross the crowd line and come near the communications trailer, the speakers, speaker cable connectors, or other associated equipment.

PUBLIC ADDRESS SYSTEM CHECKLIST

1. Briefed your narrator of our expectations of how we will get the microphone and when they can make announcements after the show?

2.