Jack Brown
Thunderbird Memories

After 26 years in the Air Force, I can say without a doubt that the time I spent with the team was the most enjoyable time of my career.  I entered the Air Force in 1967 as an Inventory Management Specialist.  In 1974 I was stationed at Craig AFB, AL working in base supply.  The team came to Craig and I was impressed yet again.  I had seen the team 4 or 5 other times.  The base paper advertised vacancies for the team in supply.  I filled out the application and got letters of recommendation from all my bosses and their bosses. 
When the team returned the next spring, I was granted an interview with TSgt Troy Mitchell.  After I didn’t hear from him for several months, I figured I’d have to wait until the next vacancy.  I got a call from Troy in late May or early June that same year asking me how fast I could get to Nellis.  I arrived at Nellis in July 1975 and started my 30 days as a “No Patcher”.  Those 30 days were some of the toughest of my life, both physically and mentally.  I can’t begin to tell you how many hours I spent on my knees polishing the patch on the hangar floor.  The boys ensured I would be a credit to the team if I were to get a patch.  The day I got the patch was the proudest day of my life.  I enjoyed every time someone pinned my patch on, as it signified I was a member of one of the greatest groups in the U.S. military.
During my time with the team, I worked with what I consider to be some of the most dedicated and patriotic men and women in my Air Force experience.  People like Wayne Jackson, Dave Kulikowski, Dick Pfeiffer, Bill Long, Dee (Holloway) Pfeiffer, Squirrel Steele, Mike Lutanno, Troy Mitchell, Mike Delgrosso, Dave Frymire, Ted Foster, Dale Sutter, Jerry Petrick, Gary Derksen, Joe Burton, Scott Krantz, Doug Robinson, Larry Burlingame, Keith Schreiber, Ken Zaremba, Gary Holland, Brock McMahon, Ben Jones, and I’m sure many folks I have forgotten to mention.  In addition I had the pleasure of serving under some of the finest leaders and officers in my career.  Some of these great men include Patterakis, Mish, Parker, Newton, Veach, Simons, Roach, Mattingly, Bash, White, Thomsic, Prater and Gore. 
I will always cherish my time spent on the Thunderbirds.  When I hear the jets or see the team, I still get a tickle in my stomach and tears of joy in my eyes.