Tinker Airman to become Thunderbird

Published July 19, 2011
By Brandice J. O'Brien
Tinker Public Affairs

TINKER AIR FORCE BASE, Okla. -- It's official; one of Tinker's own has made the prestigious Thunderbirds team. Capt. (Dr.) Michael Carletti is slated to become the team's next flight surgeon, otherwise known as Thunderbird No. 9.

Captain Carletti, a 72nd Aerospace Medical Squadron flight surgeon assigned to care for the 465th Air Refueling Squadron's flyers, received the news last month.

"This is one of those assignments that comes around only once in a lifetime, even to just be selected as a finalist is a big deal," Captain Carletti said. "It was one of those things that was too hard to pass up. It's an ideal, dream job."

The Thunderbirds are best known as an air demonstration team. Based out of Nellis Air Force Base, Nev., the team performs aerobatic formations and solo flying in specially marked jets.

There are more than 130 Airmen on the team, yet only eight officers -- assigned to numbers one through eight -- perform the flight stunts. Officers assigned to numbers 9 through 12 are support officers. Airmen in numbered slots serve a two show-season tour.

Outside of 12 officers, there are roughly 120 enlisted members. As the team flight surgeon, Captain Carletti is responsible for the health and well-being of the entire team.
The Thunderbirds perform March through November and typically travels 200 days each year. When the team travels, approximately 70 members are in company.

Captain Carletti applied for the position in November 2010. He interviewed in March and his orders are tentatively set to begin Oct. 15.

"Captain Carletti is a truly outstanding young flight surgeon," said Col. James Ice, former 72nd AMDS commander who retired Tuesday. "Captain Carletti will fit in extremely well, along with his medical expertise, his ever-present readiness to take on more and greater responsibility, and his eagerness to help recruit and mold the next generation of Airmen."

Lt. Col. Thomas Hudnall, 465th ARS commander, agreed.

"Captain Carletti has volunteered and deployed with the Okies to several locations. His positive attitude, professionalism and skills directly contributed to our mission accomplishment," he said. "I'm confident his skill set will make him a memorable flight surgeon for the Thunderbirds."

While his supervisors agree he is well qualified for the position, Captain Carletti said he did more than submit an application to prepare for the role. Captain Carletti has taken aircraft prevention mishap training and is "9G" qualified, meaning his body is able to sustain 9 g-forces.

Additionally he has participated in the U.S. Air Force Aerospace Medicine School's Aerospace Medicine Primary Course and Top Knife II. Both Top Knife and AMP are considered extra training.

The two-month AMP course is designed to introduce physicians to the fundamentals of aerospace medicine.

Top Knife II, a two-week course held at Luke Air Force Base, Ariz., exposes flight surgeons to pilots who fly high-performance aircraft, particularly the F-16 Fighting Falcon, which the Thunderbirds fly. The first week is academics and in the second week, students are able to fly with pilots in the aircraft.

"The difficulty a flight surgeon comes across is the tempo of the season, plus flying is strenuous -- particularly in high-performance aircraft," Captain Carletti said. "Typically by the time a pilot lands, he feels like he just worked out. The dehydration and g-force factors are things to be concerned about. It's physically demanding and takes a toll on a pilot."

But, it is also Captain Carletti's job to ensure the pilot is healthy to fly and he meets necessary regulation requirements.

Captain Carletti said it is a huge honor to step into this role.

"It's quite an honor to be chosen to represent the Air Force and part of my job will be to recruit others to the Air Force," he said. "That's what I realized during interview week at the air show. The kids in the stands weren't coming to see No. 1 or any of the No. 1 through 12, they were coming to see the Airmen of the Air Force and that's what it's about."