Air Force fires commander of Thunderbirds flight team

Nov. 29 (UPI) -- The U.S. Air Force fired the head of its Thunderbirds flight team citing a loss of confidence, the service announced Tuesday.

Lt. Col. Jason Heard was been relieved of command of the U.S. Air Force Air Demonstration Squadron as of Nov. 20, after he "lost confidence" in his leadership and risk management style, the Thunderbirds said.

"This was an incredibly difficult decision to make, but one that is ultimately in the best interests of the Thunderbird team. I am personally grateful for Jason's dedication to the 2017 season," Brig. Gen. Jeannie Leavitt, 57th Wing Commander, said.

Lt. Col. Kevin Walsh, the Thunderbird's 2016-17 operations officer, temporarily assumed Heard's role as the Thunderbirds begin preparations for the 2018 season.

Heard was commander when an Air Force pilot and tactical maintenance worker were hospitalized after a fighter jet flipped over on the runway and crashed. They were practicing for the USAF Thunderbird Air Demonstration Squadron airshow at Dayton International Airport in Ohio.

Squadron spokesman Tech. Sgt. Christopher Boitz told Military.com Heard's firing was unrelated to the crash in Dayton.

"This decision was based on Brig. Gen. Leavitt having lost confidence in Lt. Col. Heard's leadership in risk management style," Boitz said. "While he led a highly successful 2017 show season featuring 72 demonstrations over 39 show sites, concerns arose that his approach to leading the team was resulting in increased risk within the demonstration which eroded the team dynamic."