Lt. Col. John D. Caldwell Commander/Leader, United States Air Force Demonstration Squadron, the Thunderbirds, Nellis AFB, Nevada
nellis air force base
Discription:
The item(s) in question is not a “memorial” in the true sense in that it honors a past event or an individual who has passed. The exhibit, an actual F-16 static Thunderbird aircraft, is permanently positioned in front of the Thunderbird Museum at Nellis AFB. The side of the aircraft immediately under the pilot’s window is inscribed: “Lt. Col. John D. Caldwell Commander/Leader.” The aircraft honors Caldwell as the current commander of the Thunderbirds. In addition to the actual aircraft, several feet away there is a small model of an F-16 Thunderbird aircraft displayed that also carries the inscription about Lt. Col. Caldwell.
Responcible Organization/Individual:
Thunderbird airmen.
Designed By:
The memorial consists of an actual static U.S. Air Force F-16 aircraft, which was originally designed and built by the General Dynamics Corporation.
Address:
Inside the Thunderbird Museum on the Nellis Air Force Base, 4445 Tyndall Ave, Nellis AFB, NV 89191.
GPS Coordinates:
Hours Available
Ceremonies: yes
History:
Lt. Col. John D. Caldwell is the Commander and Leader for the United States Air Force Air Demonstration Squadron, the Thunderbirds, Nellis Air Force Base, NV (As of this narrative, May 2020). He is responsible for a 130-person squadron that plans and presents precision aerial maneuvers to exhibit the capabilities of the F-16 and the high degree of professional skill required to operate those aircraft. As Thunderbird 1, Caldwell leads the Thunderbirds’ signature flying formations with as many as seven other pilots flying at speeds topping 500 miles per hour and with wingtips less than 18 inches apart from each other. Caldwell is in his second season with the team. Caldwell graduated from the USAF Academy in 2002 and completed Euro-NATO Joint Jet Pilot Training Program in 2003. Caldwell then graduated from the F-16 RTU at Luke AFB, Ariz. in 2005 where he garnered the Red River Rat Trophy, the 2005 AETC Frances Gabreski Top Air-to-Air Student award, and Top Graduate honors. Caldwell is also a graduate of the USAF Weapons School and Naval Postgraduate School. Prior to the Thunderbirds, he was the Commander of the 28th Test and Evaluation Squadron, Eglin AFB, Florida.