Four F-16s fly over Daytona air space. [Joe Jennings Photo]
Daytona Beach, Fla. – While the eyes and ears of the motorsports world are on the Daytona 500 this weekend, many are drawn to the color and pageantry that accompanies an event of this magnitude. Fans get to enjoy the pre-race concerts, parades and bands, the appearance of Budweiser’s famed Clydesdale horses, celebrity sightings and other time-honored traditions.
One of the most awe-inspiring traditions is the flyover that takes place at the end of the National Anthem. Once again in 2016, the famed United States Air Force Thunderbirds will do the honors, screaming over the newly renovated stadium in their sleek Lockheed Martin F-16 Fighting Falcons at some 400 miles per hour and at a low altitude.
The Thunderbirds are stationed at the Nellis Air Force Base in Nevada, and they flew in on Friday, completing the flight in approximately four hours, to include time for mid-air refueling.
Lt. Col. Christopher Hammond will lead the tightly bunched formation of F-16s. In coordination with ground crew, their goal is to arrive over the speedway at the precise moment as the National Anthem is concluding. Nothing is left to chance as the pilots spend countless hours honing their skills and practicing for a variety of conditions.
Flying in a tight Delta formation, the six pilots are only a few feet apart while taking cues from their leader, Col. Hammond.
Maj. Alexander Goldfein, a 10-year USAF veteran and a graduate of the U. S. Air Force Academy, flies on Col. Hammond’s right wing. Growing up in a military family, Goldfein has lived all over the world but presently calls Fairfax Station, VA, home. He’s been a member of the Thunderbirds for two years and thoroughly enjoys the prestigious assignment.
“It is an amazing job with tons of fun. The jets are great and the people around me are even better. We have a great, close-knit team,” he said enthusiastically. “It is neat to travel the world and do this. And our relationship with NASCAR and the Daytona 500 has been phenomenal. We really look forward to this trip, which gives us the opportunity to show people what we can do.”
He calls his assignment a dream come true, saying, “It is awesome.”
Goldfein’s F-16 carries the No. 3 and while he’s not a diehard NASCAR fan, he knows Austin Dillon carries the same number and is rooting for him, keeping in mind the history of the number made famous by Dale Earnhardt. “I have respect for that number and know what it means to NASCAR.” He’s also rooting for Aric Almirola, who flies the Air Force colors.
After the flyover, Goldfein and his fellow pilots will circulate around the track and get to watch the Daytona 500. “NASCAR is our bread and butter; we love this relationship. We will be spending time in the Sprint Fanzone and be all over the place. ”
While the six pilots get all the attention, it takes some five dozen Air Force personnel to make the event happen, to include a 10-person advance team accompanied by two F-16s that have been in Daytona all week. One of their roles is to provide demonstration rides for dignitaries and notables, including the father and son duo of Bill and Chase Elliott.
After the Daytona 500, the Thunderbirds will perform almost every weekend into November, participating in air shows and flyovers to the delight of large crowds of onlookers.
A truly impressive group, one that makes America proud.
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