Nevada Air National Guard pilot to join Thunderbirds team

A Nevada Air National Guard pilot assigned to Nellis Air Force Base has been chosen to fly with the Air Force precision aerial demonstration team, the Thunderbirds.

Maj. Derek Routt of Las Vegas is the first Air National Guard pilot to join the group that travels the country to demonstrate highly precise aerial maneuvers, Gov. Jim Gibbons said Monday.

"I know how good you have to be to be a Thunderbird," Gibbons said in a prepared statement. "Our guardsmen are the best of the best.

The 38-year-old will also serve as the squadron's operations officer and be second in command of the team beginning in the fall, according to a Thunderbirds spokeswoman.

Routt joined the Nevada National Guard in 2006 and has served in Japan, Florida, Texas and Nevada as an F-15 and F-16 fighter pilot.

"This is a tremendous opportunity for both myself and the National Guard," Routt said. "I can't begin to explain the feeling of pride I have in my selection as a Thunderbird."

The Thunderbirds began flying in 1953 in Arizona and now perform at air shows around the country on weekends.

The group is made up of 12 officers and about 120 support personnel, according to the Air Force Web site.

Thunderbirds spokeswoman Elizabeth Kreft said each officer is on the team for two years.

Other additions to the team include Maj. Sean Gustafson of Homestead Air Reserve Base, Fla., Maj. Richard Goodman of Nellis, Capt. Jacob Hammons of Laughlin Air Force Base, Texas, Capt. Jamie Rempel of Luke Air Force Base, Ariz., and Capt. Petrina Hansen, stationed at Misawa Air Base, Japan.