Lt. Col. Kevin Walsh, the Thunderbirds operations officer for the 2016 and 2017 show seasons, will command the squadron as Thunderbird No. 1 for the 2018 season. Brig. Gen. Jeannie Leavitt, Commander of the 57th Wing at Nellis Air Force Base, removed Walsh’s predecessor, Lt. Col. Jason Heard, in November after losing confidence in Heard’s “risk management style.” Walsh has been serving as the squadron’s interim commander since Heard’s removal. “Kevin’s extensive flying experience and rapport within the Thunderbirds makes him a perfect fit to command the team,” said Leavitt. “I have full faith he will lead the team through a successful 2018 show season.”
Walsh, a graduate of the U.S. Air Force Academy and the USAF Weapons School, has logged over 2,600 flight hours and 500 combat hours, according to a Thunderbirds press release on his promotion. Before joining the Thunderbirds, Lt. Col. Walsh was an instructor for the European F-16 Weapons School in Leeuwarden Air Base, Netherlands. In addition to flying as team lead, Walsh will be responsible for the Demonstration Squadron’s 130 enlisted personnel and 11 officers. The Thunderbirds celebrate their 65th season in 2018.
