On December 13, the U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds selected Lieutenant Colonel Kevin Walsh to fill the role of Thunderbird No. 1, the squadron’s commanding officer and team lead, for the upcoming 2018 air show season. Walsh assumed command at a ceremony held at Nellis Air Force Base on December 20.
Walsh is a 2002 U.S. Air Force Academy graduate, former instructor at the European F-16 Weapons School and combat pilot who has logged more than 2,600 hours of flight time and 500 hours of combat experience.
In assuming the role of team lead, Walsh will lead all team demonstrations and command a squadron of 120 people.
