Thunderbirds fly for record crowd at NBA All-Star Game Published Feb. 17, 2010 By Tech, Sgt. Russ Martin U.S. Air Force Air Demonstration Squadron NELLIS AIR FORCE BASE, Nev. -- The United States Air Force Air Demonstration Squadron, Thunderbirds, tipped-off the 2010 Season Sunday opening the National Basketball Association's 2010 All-Star Game in Dallas, Texas. Before a crowd that reached 108,713 spectators, a Guinness World Record for a single basketball game, the Thunderbirds roared through the sky, above audiences both inside and outside Dallas Cowboys Stadium, showing onlookers the pride, precision and professionalism of America's Airmen serving around the world. While crowds outside the stadium witnessed the flyover first hand, thousands of NBA fans already inside the stadium were treated to a live transmission of the event on the stadium's famed 80-yard long, by 24-yard, high-definition screen hanging in the center of the arena. Sunday's demonstration was a great beginning to the 2010 Thunderbirds season according to Lt. Col. Case Cunningham, Thunderbird No. 1, Commander/Leader. "This is a truly great event," said the team's first-year commander. "It's the first time the Thunderbirds and the National Basketball Association have worked together to bring a flyover to an NBA event." The event, broadcast to millions around the world, honored the NBA's best and brightest stars at the midway point of the season, and also honored the service of military members who themselves were awe-inspired by the six red, white and blue Thunderbirds F-16C Fighting Falcons streaking through the skies. "I've never actually seen them live and in action like that and when I heard them coming over and I looked up and I saw it was the Thunderbirds," said Staff Sergeant Steven Kautz, an Army noncommissioned officer attending the event. "They've flown over the (2009) Super Bowl and now the Air Force Thunderbirds are flying the NBA All Star Game. It was an exhilarating experience for pretty much everybody." As opening ceremonies progressed following the flyover, Thunderbird No. 4 and Slot Pilot, Maj. Sean Gustafson had another unique perspective. Maj. Gustafson, who hails from Ontario, Canada, in his second year flying with Thunderbirds, for the first time while flying for the team was able to see both national anthems performed at an event in which he flew. "This means so much to me...especially when I heard them play the Canadian National Anthem," Gustafson said. "We are thrilled to tour all over America and Canada this year, and I can't think of a better way to get the 2010 season started."
