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."
This is a companion discussion topic for the original entry at https://www.avweb.com/recent-updates/business-military/air-force-replaces-thunderbirds-co