By Mike Heilman 

The Thunderbirds diamond formation make a formation pass in their F-16 on Friday’s practice show at the 2019 Fort Wayne Air Show.The Indiana Air National Guard 122^ndFighter Wing based at the Fort Wayne, Ind. International Airport hosted the 2019 Fort Wayne Air Show and Open House. The 122^ndknown as the “Blacksnakes” is home to the Fairchild Republic built A-10C “Thunderbolt II” or better known as the “Warthog.” The 2019 show featured the United States Air Force F-16 Demonstration Team, the Thunderbirds. 

The Thunderbirds performed at both days of the show. Capt. Michael Brewer is the Right-Wing Pilot for the Thunderbirds and is in his first year. He explains his transition to the F-16C: “I use to fly the F-15E ‘Strike Eagle’ prior to flying the F-16 with the Thunderbirds. Both aircraft are multi-role fighters with air-to-air and air-to-ground capabilities, but they are two different types of flying. The F-15E is larger and heavier so there are some differences in that respect.