LAS VEGAS, NV — The Air Force Thunderbirds this week selected new officers and pilots who will join the squadron in September for the 2022 and 2023 air show seasons.
The officers include two new formation pilots, an advance pilot/ narrator, a flight surgeon, and a maintenance lead. They will join the Thunderbirds with the previously announced new team commander, Lt. Col. Justin Elliot.
“This year’s applicant pool featured some of the very finest Air Force leaders who showcased a remarkable level of skill and motivation,” Thunderbirds current commander and flight leader Col. John Caldwell said. “This was an incredibly difficult choice, but I’m confident we chose the right team to carry on the Thunderbird mission and showcase America’s Air Force.”
New Thunderbird Officers Announced for 2022
Capt. Lauren Schlichting will begin training in November as the new Thunderbird 3. She becomes only the sixth female pilot to fly with the U.S. Air Force Air Demonstration Squadron in their 69 year history.
As the right wing pilot, Capt. Schlichting will perform as part of the diamond formation flying only 18-inches from the lead Thunderbird jet. She will replace current right wing pilot Maj. Zane Taylor. He will move to the slot position in 2022.
Capt. Lauren Schlichting, whose pilot call sign is “Threat”, was promoted to the rank of Captain in January 2016. Most recently, she served as an F-15E Strike Eagle pilot with the 4th Fighter Wing at Seymour Johnson AFB, N.C.
A new Thunderbird 6 will continue the legacy of the high speed solo aircraft next season. Capt. Daniel Katz joins as the team as the new opposing solo pilot.
Current Thunderbird 6 pilot Maj. Kyle Oliver will move up as lead solo for 2022. The twin solo pilots demonstrate high speed maneuvers at air shows showcasing the maximum capabilities of the F-16.
Capt. Katz recently served as an F-16C Fighting Falcon pilot with the 510th Fighter Squadron at Aviano Air Base in Italy. As a pilot with the 510th “Fightin’ Buzzards”, he performed both U.S. and NATO national security flights over Europe.
The Thunderbirds new advance pilot and air show narrator is Capt. Jacob Impellizzeri. Currently serving as an F-16C Viper pilot at Shaw AFB in South Carolina, he has flown the F-16 during an already storied military career.
Capt. Impellizzeri, call sign “Primo”, will become the voice of the Thunderbirds during air show flight demonstrations. As advance pilot, he will meet with air show leaders beginning in November to organize the squadron’s logistics at the show site.
Primo grew up attending air shows with his entire family during his youth. During high school, he earned his private pilot license.
Last March, Capt. Impellizzeri concluded two years as the Pacific Air Forces’ F-16 Demonstration Team commander and pilot. After one year of service at Shaw AFB, Primo moves on to his new assignment at Nellis AFB.
“I want to fly for as long as I possibly can,” Capt. Impellizzeri expressed in a recent Air Force interview. “Not only do I have the opportunity to fly the F-16 to its maximum potential, but I get to show people all around the world just how incredible the airframe is.”
The Thunderbirds announced their new flight surgeon, Capt. Travis Grindstaff, and maintenance officer, Capt. Robert Gulla. Each will also report to Nellis in September to begin two years with America’s Ambassadors in Blue.
(Charles A. Atkeison reports on aerospace and technology. Follow his updates via social media @Military_Flight.)
