Air Force Thunderbirds to perform first demo with alternative fuel

Andrews AFB, MDThe United States Air Force Thunderbirds flight demonstration team will be flying on alternative fuel for the first time at the Joint Services Open House here, on May 20 and 21.  Aircraft #5 and #6 will perform the team first performance using green biofuel, making the Thunderbirds the first Department of Defense aerial performance team to fly on the alternative fuel.

The Friday show is for media and DoD personnel only.  The JSOH is open to the public on May 21 and 22.  Visit www.jsoh.org for more information about the Joint Services Open House.

Media are invited to view the Thunderbirds arrival show and then conduct interviews the pilots and Mr. Terry Yonkers, the Assistant Secretary of the Air Force for Installations, Environment and Logistics on Monday, May 16th at Andrews Air Force Base at 1 p.m.

 The thunderbirds will be flying on a Camelina-based Hydrotreated Renewable Jet (HRJ).  The Air Force is testing and evaluating biomass fuels derived from three different feedstocks: camelina (plant seed oil), beef tallow (animal fat) and various waste oils and greases.

To date, the Air Force has tested and certified biofuel as a 50-percent blend with regular jet fuel in the A-10, F-15, C-17, and F-22 aircraft.  Fleet-wide certification is on track for completion in 2013.

The U.S. Air Force Air Demonstration Squadron, the Thunderbirds, performs precision aerial maneuvers demonstrating the capabilities of the Air Force high performance aircraft to people throughout the world.