ATLANTA — The Air Force F-22 Raptor Demonstration Team announced on Tuesday the selection of their new air show pilot who will perform during the next two years.
Maj. Joshua ‘Cabo’ Gunderson will serve as the Raptor Demo Team’s commander and pilot during 2020 and 2021 air show seasons. He is coming from the 90th Fighter Squadron at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska, where he served as 3rd Wing chief of advanced programs.
[youtube id=”O2LaimGVMRM” width=”800″ height=”454″ position=”left”]
“It is incredibly humbling to be given the opportunity to serve as the next F-22 Demo Team commander,” Maj. Gunderson said on Tuesday. “The team is comprised of amazing Airmen showcasing American airpower, and I look forward to joining such an impressive legacy for the next two years.”
Gunderson grew up in Tampa, Fla. and attended air shows at nearby MacDill AFB. He graduated from the Air Force Academy in 2008; and later earned his pilots wings at Sheppard AFB in Texas two years later.
Cabo will command a busy first season with the team as they perform in four different countries. The Raptor Demo are scheduled to attend 22 locations performing either a full demonstration or their popular Heritage Flight.
The team will first travel to Southeast Asia to perform at the Singapore Airshow on February 15 and 16. The squadron’s first U.S. performance is planned for March 21 and 22 at the L.A. County Airshow in Lancaster, Calif.
“From the first time I saw jets at the MacDill Air Force Base Airfest, I have turned my eyes towards the skies and dreamed of being in the seat of a fighter jet,” he added.
In July, Maj. Gunderson will have a homecoming as the team performs at Elmendorf-Richardson’s 101st anniversary celebration. “Our Air Force is a family, and I am honored to serve along so many,” he added.
(Charles A. Atkeison reports on aerospace and technology. Follow his updates via social media @Military_Flight.)