Thunderbirds Airshow- A 66 Year Tradition

Thunderbirds’ Air Show Performance on Cheyenne Day is always a momentous occasion because CFD was their very first show in 1953.

They have been performing in Cheyenne ever since for an exception of only one year. Wednesday, July 24th the show took place but this time over the original location of FE Warren Air Force Base rather than over Laramie County Community College. Overall show went very well. Sometimes new locations can be challenging but with the proper advanced preparation the performance went perfectly.

To thank the Thunderbirds for the show, a reception was held by the Greater Cheyenne Chamber of Commerce and Cheyenne during Frontier Days. It was made possible by KLJ Engineering and The Boeing Company, along with a number of Greater Cheyenne Chamber of Commerce Initiative Sponsors.

The event featured remarks from Governor Gordon, Mayor Marian Orr, Commissioner Linda Heath and the Thunderbirds themselves.

This tradition will be kept alive and this evening Commissioner Linda Heath shared a prayer for the Thunderbirds for when they visit again, “We ask for a special blessing for our U.S. Thunderbirds who performed earlier today. May your skies always remain blue, May the winds be perfect for you as you take flight over our land, when you have time to breathe and enjoy the sights, may you gaze upon the amber waves of grain, our mountains majesty, the crystal blue of our lakes and streams, the deep green of our forests, and the antelope and elk too. Most of all, see the true hearts of the people who call Laramie County and Wyoming home. May the heartland of America be part of you forever.”

The community extends their gratitude to the airmen and their significant others:

• Thunderbird 1, Thunderbird Commander, Lieutenant Colonel John Caldwell and his spouse Christine

• Thunderbird 2, Major Will Graeff and his spouse Christine

• Thunderbird 3, Captain Michael Brewer and his spouse Katie

• Thunderbird 4, Major Whit Collins and his spouse Eileen

• Thunderbird 5, Major Matt Kimmel

• Thunderbird 6, Major Michelle Curran

• Thunderbird 7, Lieutenant Colonel Eric Gorney and his spouse Jen

• Thunderbird 8, Major Jason Markzon

• Thunderbird 9, Lieutentant Colonel Noel Colls and his spouse April

• Thunderbird 10, Captain Lauren Venturini

• Thunderbird 11, Captain Kassandra Mangosing

• Thunderbird 12, Major Ray Geoffrey and his spouse Tazi

• Additionally- Brigadier General Robert Novotny and his spouse, Dawn Novotny.