Thunderbirds Pilot: David Commons (1985 - 1986)

Produced by: Ryan Nothhaft
Website: www.blueangelph...
Email: [e-mail]
Twitter: @blueangelf4
Instagram: @blueangelphantoms
David Commons is a former U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds pilot who flew in the number 3 jet during the 1985 & 1986 air show seasons.
Mr. Commons graduated from the U.S. Air Force Academy in 1975 with a Bachelor of Science degree in civil engineering. He flew the T-38 and F-16 before being released from active duty in 1988 after 13 years of service. Following a year and a half flying the A-7 in the Ohio Air National Guard, General Commons entered the Air Force Reserve unit program flying the F-16. He has served as an instructor pilot, flight examiner, flight commander, operations officer and squadron commander. General Commons is a command pilot with more than 3,900 hours of flight time including combat missions in Bosnia.
EDUCATION
1975 Bachelor of Science degree in civil engineering, U.S. Air Force Academy, Colorado Springs, Colo.
1981 Distinguished graduate, Squadron Officer School, Maxwell AFB, Ala.
1982 Marine Corps Command and Staff College
1983 Air Command and Staff
1999 Air War College
2006 Capstone, National Defense University, Fort Lesley J. McNair, Washington, D.C.
2006 Combined Force Air Component Commander Course, Maxwell AFB, Ala.
2007 Senior Joint Information Operations Applications Course, Maxwell AFB, Ala.
2008 Joint Force Maritime Component Commander Course, Naval War College, Newport, R.I.
ASSIGNMENTS
1. January 1976 - May 1977, student, undergraduate pilot training, Williams AFB, Ariz.
2. June 1977 - December 1981, T-38 instructor pilot, Williams AFB, Ariz.
3. January 1982 - November 1982, Air Staff Training officer, Legislative Liaison, Washington, D.C.
4. December 1982 - April 1983, student, fighter lead-in training, Holloman AFB, N.M.
5. May 1983 - October 1983, student, F-16 Replacement Training Unit, MacDill AFB, Fla.
6. November 1983 - October 1984, F-16 pilot, Nellis AFB, Nev.
7. November 1984 - December 1986, pilot and operations officer, F-16 aerial demonstration team the Thunderbirds, Nellis AFB, Nev.
8. January 1987 - January 1988, F-16 flight commander, Kunsan Air Base, South Korea
9. February 1988 - February 1989, action officer, Current Operations, Headquarters Tactical Airlift Command, Langley AFB, Va.
10. March 1990 - September 1991, A-7D pilot, Rickenbacker Air National Guard Base, Ohio
11. October 1991 - March 1996, F-16 flight commander, Bergstrom Air Reserve Base, Texas
12. April 1996 - February 1997, F-16 pilot, New Orleans Naval Air Station, La.
13. March 1997 - June 1999, operations officer, 701st Combat Operations Squadron, March ARB, Calif.
14. July 1999 - December 2002, Commander, 701st Combat Operations Squadron, March ARB, Calif.
15. January 2003 - June 2005, mobilization assistant to the Commander, Air Force Command and Control, and Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance Center, Langley AFB, Va.
16. June 2005 - January 2006, mobilization assistant to the Director of Aerospace Operations, Headquarters Air Combat Command, Langley AFB, Va.
17. January 2006 - August 2007, mobilization assistant to the Deputy Chief of Staff for Air, Space and Information Operations, Plans and Requirements, Headquarters U.S. Air Force, Washington, D.C.
18. September 2007 - January 2010, mobilization assistant to the Commander, Pacific Air Forces, Hickam AFB, Hawaii
19. February 2010 - May 2011, mobilization assistant to the Chief of the Air Force Reserve, Headquarters U.S. Air Force, Washington, D.C.
20. May 2011 - present, Chief, U.S. Military Training Mission to Saudi Arabia, U.S. Central Command, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
FLIGHT INFORMATION
Rating: Command pilot
Flight hours: More than 3,900
Aircraft flown: T-37, T-38, F-16 A/B/C/D and A-7D
MAJOR AWARDS AND DECORATIONS
Distinguished Service Medal
Distinguished Flying Cross
Meritorious Service Medal with four oak leaf clusters
Air Force Outstanding Unit Award with oak leaf cluster
Air Force Organizational Excellence Award
Combat Readiness Medal
National Defense Service Medal with bronze star
Global War on Terrorism Service Medal
Armed Forces Reserve Medal with hourglass
OTHER ACHIEVEMENTS
1981 Commander-in-Chief's Award, Squadron Officer School
1983 Top Gun Award, fighter lead-in training
1983 Top Gun Award, F-16 RTU
Awesome full length Thunderbirds documentary: Thunderbirds a Team Portrait by Glenn Przyborski: • Thunderbirds a Team Po...

[@mikehenderson2039]

I was privileged to have Dave administer my T-38 formation checkride during my year of pilot training at Williams AFB back in the day! He was a gentleman and glad to see how well he performed as a Thunderbird! Pure class!

[@ronaldtartaglia4459]

I love these little peaks into history

[@thereissomecoolstuff]

35+ years ago and still very emotional about a hospital visit. That is what the teams are all about. Thank you for sharing your story...

[@kurtrominger2348]

@Edward st.antoine Fuck you asshole. I know him.

[@tchallabp1137]

You can tell this man is very genuine and he was really affected by visiting the Shriners hospital, and how fortunate he was to be in his position to fly and how he can affect someone else. Touching to see.

[@robweiss748]

I saw this team at Wurtsmith when I was an AFROTC cadet at Michigan. During the autograph session someone yelled at Hoss Jones, “Are you Bert Jones’ brother?” He said, “Yes, I am.” Bert Jones was the Indianapolis Colts Quarterback at the time. I’ll never forget that air show; first time I saw them in F-16s. They don’t fly that tight anymore.

[@chrisstevens8247]

What a great video, I was on the team the same time and talk about a great human being. Dave Commons, what great memories. Thank You

[@Rick4345]

I was. SSgt with the 3345th Security Police Suadron at Chanute AFB at that time. The team did a demonstration for our air show but had to land and take off at Willard Airport because our runway was a disaster. Four of us were sent there for security. I couldn’t volunteer fast enough. I ended up talking to one of the pilots and the conversation turned towards my dad. He was a Green Beret for his Army career. The pilot told me to stay where I was. He came back with a photo of them flying over a mountain pass and it was signed by all the pilots. He told me to make sure my dad got the photo. I had it framed and gave it to him. My dad treasured that picture until he passed away in 2016. Thank you very much sir and thank your team members if you ever talk to them for bringing some happiness into his life. My dad was my hero and the Thunderbirds were his.

[@ksamos]

Fun times "back in the day". To just one day say to the boss, "hey, let's smoke the Blues"....too funny. Boy have times changed. Not sure that would be very kosher in today's PC military. To just announce to another base that you want their airfield (unscheduled mind you) may prompt some office meetings after you land. Don't want anyone to spill their coffee on themselves in the tower and get their panties in a wod. Wish there was video of this little flyby....be great to see the Blue's reaction. These stories are great. Would love to hear more from some of the old timers from all the teams. Snowbirds, Red Arrows would be a nice as well. Keep up the great work.

[@BlueAngelPhantoms]

Glad you're enjoying all the stories! I will keep documenting them as long as they keep sharing them! All the best!

[@scottp4791]

Saw the Thunderbirds at Patrick AFB FL. 1984/85... Great show! Sir you are a REAL American. Your Burn unit story brought tears to my eyes! GOD BLESS You!

[@scottmichael754]

amazing man & stories. I was emotional just hearing your Shriner's story. Thank you sir!!

[@tommynikon2283]

These guys aren't only the best of the best within their services, but AMBASSADORS beyond just the military aspect.

[@f-4gww458]

Well done. Another great video. Enjoy the Thunderbird pilots. Had the privilege of seeing both the Blues and Thunderbirds fly the F-4.

[@kekelaward]

A stop at Shriner's has that effect on just about everybody from all walks of life. Seen some studly athlete types and Tier 1 guys openly sobbing after leaving the room the kids were in. Keep up the great work. Great to see this format for other teams too.

[@BlueAngelPhantoms]

Thank you, sir. Always appreciate your comments on these videos. Ideally, I'd love to feature more Thunderbirds on this channel. As you can see from Mr. Commons' contributions, they are incredible individuals.

[@snoopy7647]

Thank you and your fellow service members service!

[@alanvotta3847]

I Loved every word and.... conveyed feeling How wonderful

[@robertdug495]

Last time i saw the Thunderbirds was at Beale Air Force Base with some SR 71s and the B2. It was an awesome show!!

[@stevewithers3532]

We were at that airshow at Edwards AFB in 1985. The Space Shuttle landed there a few days earlier or later and we saw that too.

[@bills5621]

Great job as always Ryan. Best wishes

[@gavares3]

my first memories as a child, we of my father and dave commons javing a conversation in the ops room at nellis. that had to be 83 or 84. good too see you again .

[@toddszymanski3907]

Excellent video and pilot, thank you for your service.

[@BlueAngelPhantoms]

Thanks, Todd! Glad you enjoyed the video. Mr. Commons made this one really easy to put together with his incredible story telling. Cheers!

[@JasonMcLemore]

He mentions MacDill AFB here in Tampa! I remember as a kid the F-16's being based there. We have the KC-135's now. Attaining the AMW saved that historic base from closure in the 90's

[@BlueAngelPhantoms]

Glad MacDill was saved. Unfortunately, the Navy left Moffett Field (the base I grew up near) in 1992 as a result of budget cuts. Prior to the shutdown, there was a constant hum of P3-Orien engines over the Bay Area of California. That and an annual air show that featured either the Thunderbirds or the Blue Angels depending on the year.

[@bobboberson2024]

To me, the Blue Angels ARE the miltary aviation acrobatics team. I really enjoy their pre and post-fight rituals. The show speaks for itself. But I guess there's NO WAY the Air Force wouldn't have one themselves. There's room for both. Some serious dudes. Doing some awesome stuff.

[@Douguod1]

I have this guys autograph on my thunderbirds poster from 1985.

[@rogerhoward7104]

YOU MAKE US PROUD TO BE AN AMERICAN.

[@BlueAngelPhantoms]

Couldn't agree more! Proud of all those that serve in our armed forces!

[@Earthshaker513]

Glad to see some light shed on the T-Birds.

[@parkburrets4054]

You were probably flying the NASA JSC show with the center at the end of a pier on Clear Lake. I got to watch the show standing just a few feet from Alan Shepard, surrounded by a few dozen other astronauts, many who were previous Thunderbird and Blue Angel pilots. Great fun!

[@djbowler3333]

Wow. If you don't think ptsd is real, you can literally see the trauma in his face when talking about the burn victims

[@JeremyAKnight]

Great video!

[@bernardc2553]

Hook line & Sinker in thrust we trust thank you Sir.

[@scarecrow6741]

Thanks for the video, I enjoyed it.

[@michaelcarrier4374]

Great video!!! Thank you for sharing!

[@IrishManJT]

Excellent.

[@BlueAngelPhantoms]

Thank you!!

[@williammccravy6901]

Legend!!

[@derekchildress5]

I think the day he went to the Shriners hospital, those children became his hero's!

[@wntu4]

It took an entirely different kind of courage to visit those little burn patients. Kudos.

[@Nick-zz6xl]

Class act all the way!

[@gcarlson]

The Angels were still flying the A-4 while the T-birds had the F-16? I love the A-4, but... hopefully the Angels got them back with their Hornets later on. Great vid!

[@LV_FUD80]

The T-Birds started flying Vipers in 83, and the Blues began flying Hornets in 87. I've actually been at an airshow where the T-Birds finished up, and the Blues were in transit between show sites, so here comes T-Bird 6 on short final. He's the last to touch down, and as he's clearing the runway, here comes the Blues Delta Formation, roaring past the airfield. Perfectly timed! Back in the day, the teams used to do this to each other quite regularly, if they were anywhere near one another to make the prank feasible.

[@gcarlson]

@@LV_FUD80 Nice! I lived in Seattle for 24 years and got to watch the blue Angels every summer for Seafair. I took great joy in watching the liberal-lefties get their panties in a bunch when they started their practice sessions. The f-16 has been known as the Fighting falcon for decades, and it's still listed in Wikipedia as the Fighting falcon. I get the Battlestar Galactica reference as to why they started calling it a viper, but I'm wondering if this coincided with a hardware change or a role change in the aircraft... I just started hearing the viper designation recently.

[@dedexyz8475]

@8:50....I'm crying, and Mr. Commons is trying not to.

[@deansynan7424]

Salute ~

[@bigmaxy07]

3 feet. Just look at something 3 feet away from you right now. Wow.

[@gerardguitarist]

How many times in the history of the Blue Angels have they been "smoked"? And twice with pilot's on the tarmac? What a great story. But those kids in the burn unit... Lord have Mercy...

[@gcHK47]

Blue Angel Phantoms, you TRAITOR!!! (I’m jesting)

[@BlueAngelPhantoms]

Ha! you made me laugh out loud. There will probably be more Thunderbirds sneaking on here from time to time. They're a great team and great people as you can tell from this interview. Thanks for watching and making me laugh. Cheers!

[@MAB-nj8wf]

Sooooo... They were letting him fly in F-4's as a 2nd year cadet?

[@LV_FUD80]

During the summertime, we always get Cadets on their summer tours from the Academy. They all get at least one backseat ride. They don't move to the front seat until they're in Undergraduate Pilot Training. Depending on how cocky the kid is, is how willing I am to give him a smooth ride, or make him barf his guts out. The polite, respectful cadets still get a great ride, but I'm more apt to tell him what's coming next. The kid who comes in there, shining his fanny, and acting like he's God's gift (yeah, we get some of them), well, he's gonna be the one holding a couple of puke bags, and crying home to mommy.