Georgia Magazine - December 2020 - 8

Compiled by Jennifer J. Hewett

Local Thunderbirds soar home

STAFF SGT. CORY BUSH

alism because we definitely take
rowds who gape and gasp
pride in what we do. "
at the precision aerobatCapt. Remoshay Nelson, who
ics of the U.S. Air Force's
leads the Thunderbirds' marketThunderbirds air demonstration
ing, publicity and community
team may not realize that the perrelations efforts, was born in Ausformances are possible thanks to
tell and grew up in Douglasville,
the roughly 100 officers and enwhere she was in Douglasville
listed personnel who work yearHigh School's 2007 graduating
round to make the airshows run
class. Her mom, stepdad, brothsmoothly. It's a job that requires
ers and an array of aunts and
constant travel, but an exhibition
uncles are still in Georgia.
in late October at the Wings Over
" My family [was] super
North Georgia Airshow in Rome
excited to come out and see a full
Top: Master Sgt. Thomas " Nathan " Clonts, of Rome, was one
brought four crew members back
demonstration [by the Thunderof four U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds who returned to their
to their home state, where they
birds team], " she said.
home state for the Wings Over North Georgia Airshow here
got to reconnect with family
For Master Sgt. Thomas
in October. Above: College Park native Tech. Sgt. Antwaun
and friends.
" Nathan " Clonts, who grew up in
Westerfield does a final check before the team's exhibition.
" The shows are the best part
Rome and joined the Air Force in
of what we do, " said Jonesboro
2006, being part of the Thundernative Staff Sgt. Jimmy Navar,
birds was a goal he accomplished two years ago. He serves as
who handles aircraft fuel systems maintenance. " We get to
the team's maintenance production superintendent.
interact a little bit with the crowd, and our family and friends
" Everyone looks at this as the upper echelon of enlisted
get to see what we do. "
duty, " he said. " It's impressive to work on a team and see the
Navar's parents still live in his hometown, where he gradupride with which the job is done. The show is a culmination of
ated from high school in 2014. He's been in the Air Force for
the hard work everyone puts in to make it happen, and to watch
almost six years and on the Thunderbirds team for about a
the jets take off and return with everyone safe is icing on the
year. He applied for the job because he believes in the team's
cake after hours and hours of training. "
mission: to showcase the high-tech aircraft while promoting
A little taste of home is a nice perk, too, Westerfield said.
professionalism.
His
mom
welcomed him home with his favorites: candied yams,
For Tech. Sgt. Antwaun Westerfield, APG (Aircraft Powerfried
chicken
and homemade sweet tea.
plant General) flight chief, that's the best part of his avionics job.
For
information
on the U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds, visit
" Through our performances, we inspire future generations
afthunderbirds.com.
to be awesome at what they do, no matter what it is, " the College
-H.M. Cauley
Park native said. " We can inspire others through our profession-

Georgia Magazine

December 2020

STAFF SGT. CORY BUSH

GEORGIA News

http://www.afthunderbirds.com

Georgia Magazine - December 2020

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