Thunderbirds Announce Left Wing Pilot for 2021 Season

The United States Air Force Thunderbirds have announced their Thunderbird 2 officer selection for the 2021-2022 air show seasons. Major Ian “Bear” Lee, of the 79th Fighter Squadron at Shaw Air Force Base, South Carolina, will serve as the Left Wing pilot and fly as close as three feet from Thunderbird 1 during each demonstration.

Major Lee is a skilled, experienced F-16 pilot with over 1,700 flight hours, including more than 470 combat hours over Iraq, Syria, Afghanistan and the Arabian Gulf. Lee is also a former F-16 Viper Instructor, serving with the 8th Fighter Squadron at Holloman Air Force Base in New Mexico. He is a 2010 graduate of the U.S. Air Force Academy, where he double majored in Economics and management. The Thunderbirds stated that they are “excited for him to join the team and carry on the mission of representing America’s Air Force!”

Major Lee joins the team after Major Trevor Aldridge was not able to continue due to unexpected health reasons. The remainder of the demonstration pilots will remain on the team for 2021, although Major Zane Taylor and Major Michael Brewer will swap positions for the upcoming season. Major Taylor will transition to the Right Wing Pilot and fly the number 3 jet, and Major Brewer will transition to the Slot Pilot and fly the number 4 jet. This is to ensure continuity of experience and preserve the Thunderbirds’ future aerial demonstration capabilities and readiness.

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