Thunderbirds to enlist Guam graduates at Andersen's air show

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Jamie Lessard
  • 36th Wing Public Affairs
ANDERSEN AIR FORCE BASE, Guam --  What better way to enlist in the United States Air Force than at the Andersen Air Show? Air Show visitors can watch as 30 of their sons, daughters and friends are sworn in to the Air Force by Lt. Col. Greg Thomas, U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds Commander Sept. 30.

The ceremony is part of the Thunderbird's recruiting mission, and is an event Guam's Air Force recruiters are happy to share with the Guam community.

According to Master Sgt. Dayne Thomas, an Air Force recruiter on Guam, residents here have a strong desire to be a part of the defense of their nation. As a result, his office has become one of the top producing recruiting offices in the nation. The recruiters send approximately 130 new airmen to basic military training each year including applicants from Saipan, Tinian, Rota and the Federated States of Micronesia.

"The majority of our recruits were born and raised on the island of Guam," Sergeant Thomas said. "This venue gives our future airmen the opportunity to show the commitment and sacrifice they are about to take on, and they get to do it in front of their families and community."

Melany Faculo, a 2009 graduate of John F. Kennedy High School, is enlisting in the Air Force to become a dental assistant and hopes to obtain a college degree while she's serving. Melany was also a member of JFK's Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps for four years.

"I've always been really inspired by those in the Air Force and have wanted to join for a long time," said Ms. Faculo, "I feel really honored to be able to enlist at the air show."

Like Ms. Faculo, many of the people enlisting during the ceremony are graduates from Guam's high schools. Understanding the value Guam residents play in family activities, Sergeant Thomas said many of the people attending will come to see the graduates enlist.

When asked why he is enlisting in the Air Force, Carl Avelino, an employee at Perez Acres Home Owners Association and 2002 graduate of Simon Sanchez High School, said he felt it was time to do something new and exciting.

"I feel really special to get the chance to be enlisted in front of all those people, and to have it done by the Thunderbirds is awesome," said Mr. Avelino, "and I think it would be really cool to see some of Guam's government officials in the audience."

Mr. Avelino is enlisting in the Air Force to become an aircraft maintainer. He said he hopes to work on the Air Force's newest and most advanced fighter, the F-22 Raptor. He will get the chance to see the Raptor in action at the air show. The Air Combat Command's F-22 Demonstration Team will perform a solo aerial demo at 12:30 p.m. Sept. 30.

"The recruits are excited and honored," said Sergeant Thomas. "They want to be a part of something great, they want to continue the tradition of excellence ... and they want to do it in front of an audience."

The Thunderbirds will host the enlistment ceremony at 2p.m. at show center in front of their red, white and blue F-16s in a ceremony everyone in attendance can witness.

Following the enlistment ceremony, the Thunderbirds will begin their demonstration. The pilots and maintenance team will be available for autographs after the air show.