I began my quest in securing an aircraft maintenance position with the Air Force Thunderbirds in 1972 while stationed in UTapao Thailand. I vividly remember begging anyone and everyone who had a pay grade higher than mine to write letters of recommendation for me in hopes of being selected by the Team upon my rotation back to the “world”. I was stunned to find upon receiving my orders not only was I not going to the Thunderbirds, but instead was being re-assigned to the SR-71 program at Beale AFB.
Fast forward to 1975 and 90 days before my DOS. I'm called to the Commanders office early one morning. There I learn my pending application for the Team has been accepted and I'm being re-assigned immediately to the United States Air Force Aerial Demonstration Squadron, the “THUNDERBIRDS”! I must admit to having second thoughts. My social life in Marysville and Yuba City was finally looking up, I had a part time job as a primary flight instructor at a local FBO and was enjoying life. I had a tuff decision to make, but I took a short reenlistment and reported to the Thunderbirds in March of 1975.
What an experience! The Team had earlier completed the transition program and modifications to the T-38 from the F-4E Phantom II. The T-38 was in its second season while Boss Patterakis was beginning his first as the Commander / Leader. It didn’t take long before the likes of Dave Frymire, Bill Bogan, Ray Herder, Chuck Craddock and a few others figured out any experience I had with T-38's was from watching it fly the “overhead” traffic pattern at Lackland AFB while in basic training. My first job, phase inspection was under the direct supervision of Dick Wiebers. Compared to the afore mentioned bunch above, Dick was very normal, helpful and I enjoyed learning the mechanical side of the T-38 and working for him. He was, and I'm sure still is a great teacher.
Once I started traveling in '75, I was relegated to night shift with Dick Link as my immediate supervisor, but worked with Dale Sutter, Dave Kulikowski, Ken Zaremba, Jim Steele and a host of others. 1975 went by in a blur and it was at the end of the season I was honored with being selected to ‘Crew” an aircraft during the '76 show season, that aircraft happened to be #1. The Team in '76 was re-named, “The Official Bi-Centennial Team” commemorating our nations 200th birthday, which made the new job even more special. Bill Quade was our Line Chief in '76 and we traveled around the country doing what the teams before us and what all the teams after us continue to do, represent the pride, dedication to duty, distinction of our military and being ambassadors of the United States of America.
As 1976 drew to a close my emotions ran wild. I couldn’t believe my tour was rapidly coming to an end, I’d be separating from the Air Force in March and unemployed. But it was time and as I drove out the main gate at Nellis AFB for the last offical time, I reflected, just as I have so many times since that day in January about my friends and teammates. They were so much a part of my life while on the Team and I'm fortunate, proud and honored to say they all remain my friends to this day. They were all very special in their own way, hard working, honest, funny, respectful, dedicated, sincere and full of life.
To my 1975 / 1976 Teammates I can only say, “thank you so very much for being a part of my life”! I will never forget any of you and will always cherish the dream of a lifetime and “our moment in the sun”!
Dick Pfeiffer
Aircraft Maintenance – 1975
Crew Chief - 1976