The Air Force’s Thunderbirds air demonstration squadron on Wednesday announced its airshow schedule for 2010, its 57th season of performances. The first of 65 planned shows will kick off March 20-21 at Davis-Monthan AFB, Ariz. In mid-June and mid-August, the team will perform in Quebec City and Abbotsford, Canada, respectively—the only appearances on the agenda next year outside of the US. The 2010 season will conclude with performances Nov. 13-14 at Nellis AFB, Nev., the unit’s home. The Thunderbirds concluded their 2009 schedule, which included a six-week tour of the Pacific Far East, in November.
Walking the flight line occupied by Blackhawk attack helicopters and American troops on rotation at the “MK” air base in Romania, Defense Secretary Lloyd J. Austin III highlighted the important strategic value of one of NATO’s newest members Oct. 20 ahead of NATO defense ministerial meetings in Brussels Oct. 21-22.…