Published Tuesday, May 06, 2008 3:47 PM
Updated Tuesday, May 06, 2008 3:48 PM
Summerville High School senior Robyn Stoffel waited patiently to have her program signed.
Thunderbirds buzz Summerville
Squadron members from the Air Force Thunderbirds took time out of their schedules last Friday to visit Summerville High School and talk to students.
The school’s Naval JROTC instructor Colonel Claude Davis coordinated the visit with the Charleston Air Force Base in hopes of inspiring and motivating students.
Judging from the student’s response, Colonel Davis was successful in his attempt.
Following the presentation, students were lined up to ask questions and have their programs signed.
Summerville senior Robyn Stoffel was one of the many who waited patiently for an opportunity to get a few questions answered.
“I want to join the Air Force after high school,” she says. “I’m a little worried because I was running one day and pulled a hamstring. I don’t want that injury to hold me back. But I’m one of those people who can accomplish anything I set my mind to, especially if someone tells me I can’t.”
The Thunderbirds were in Charleston for Air Expo 2008 held on Saturday, but took time to visit area schools to answer questions about what they do and talk about the importance of being committed to getting a good education.
According to Major Kirby Ensser who flies right wing in the squadron’s diamond formation, the best part of what he does as a pilot is talking to students.
“It’s one of the most important things I do. I don’t get nervous about flying because of my training. I’ve been doing this for ten years,” Ensser says. “The scariest thing for me is thinking I won’t be on my game on a day like today when I’m out talking to an auditorium full of students. I’m more concerned about getting the right message out to the kids. I get really pumped going out into the community, visiting with students. I want them to be dedicated to their education. I want to see them succeed at whatever they choose to do.”
Staff Sergeant Harrison Southworth is a member of the Thunderbirds elite ground crew. As a mechanic responsible for the maintenance of an F-16 Fighting Falcon, he knows there’s no margin for error. Doing a job with such a high stress level might seem daunting to some, but Southworth seems to take it in stride.
“I didn’t really choose to do this. In fact, when I was younger, I didn’t know what the Thunderbirds were,” he says. “One day, my squadron commander approached me and said I should consider looking into becoming a Thunderbird.”
With the Weather Channel forecasting rain for the day of the air show. Southworth isn’t bothered about it from a safety standpoint because he says the pilots can fly in just about any condition. He’s concerned about the paint on the planes.
“ When they’re flying at 400 miles an hour, the rain can really tear up the paint,” he says. “When that happens, we have to have them repainted. They have to look good”
As much as he loves his job, Southworth echos what Ensser says about the high points of the job.
“I like coming out and talking to kids in the schools. It’s really the very best part of being a Thunderbird – talking to kids who might have my job someday.”
Known as “America’s Ambassadors in Blue,” by the time 2008 draws to a close, the Thunderbirds, which include 12 officers and 124 enlisted personnel from 31 different career fields, will have visited 27 states and two Canadian provinces. Since 1953, the Thunderbirds have traveled the world, showcasing their skill and professionalism in every state in the U.S. as well as 61 other countries.
Contact Sharon Gnau at sgnau@journalscene.com