Thunderbird F-16s arrive at Sheppard Published March 24, 2010 By Airmen 1st Class Valerie Hosea 82nd Training Wing Public Affairs SHEPPARD AIR FORCE BASE, Texas -- Sheppard received four former Thunderbird Demonstration team F-16s March 22. The aircraft arrived from Hill Air Force Base, Utah, and will be used at Sheppard for training purposes. "After undergoing depot, aircraft specific repairs for bulkhead cracks, the aircraft were repaired and able to fly," said Ed Crenshaw, 982nd Maintenance Squadron logistics program manager. "However, they could not be restored to their full capabilities because of the damages and effects of the gravity limits. "Because of structural integrity, Air Combat Command decided that the aircraft should be used for training." To become trainers, the aircraft must be demilitarized, which involves two major steps in the "safing" process. "We have to remove the incendiaries, which will deactivate the seat ejection system, from all five aircraft and also take out any explosives the aircraft may have, including the hydrazine tank, which is rocket fuel," Mr. Crenshaw said. The 362nd Training Squadron will use the aircraft to train future crew chiefs on aerospace maintenance. Mr. Crenshaw said using Thunderbird aircraft will benefit the Airmen in Training in several ways. "Using these F-16s in training will provide newer, and more up-to-date aircraft, and give the AiT a more accurate picture of the aircraft they'll repair at their duty stations," he said. "I think practicing on aircraft that have been flown by the Thunderbirds will motivate the Airmen in hopes that maybe they'll be a part of the demonstration team one day as a crew chief." The fifth Thunderbird F-16 is scheduled to arrive within the next week.