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DAVIS-MONTHAN AIR FORCE BASE, Ariz. — U.S. Air Force Capt. Mckayla Russell, 355th Force Support Squadron sustainment flight commander at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, Arizona, was selected to join the U.S. Air Force Demonstration Squadron “Thunderbirds” as Thunderbird No. 10, executive officer. Russell, originally from Martinsville, Indiana, became interested in military service after seeing her three sisters pursue careers in the military. She began her own military career through the Air Force Reserve Officer Training Corps at Indiana University. Davis-Monthan became Russell’s first duty station, where she has spent five years serving in multiple organizations. Her assignments have included maintenance, civil engineering, staff duties, readiness and plans within the Force Support Squadron, as well as two deployments. Russell’s path to the Thunderbirds began during her first deployment to Al Dhafra Air Base, United Arab Emirates. While deployed, she worked with a former Thunderbird commander who gave her a better understanding of the executive officer position. “He explained how much of the role involved community outreach and event planning,” said Russell. “The more I learned about it, the more I realized how well it aligned with what I was passionate about.” At the time, Russell was pursuing a master’s degree in event planning and management, making the position particularly appealing. Russell submitted her application and advanced through the rigorous stages of the selection process. After advancing to the semifinal stage, she traveled to an air show to see the team’s operations firsthand, observing its community outreach events, school visits and air show operations. After weeks of preparation and evaluations, Russell advanced to the finals at Nellis Air Force Base, Nevada, where she spent a week with the team gaining insight into the executive officer role and the demands of being a Thunderbird. Russell was closer than ever to achieving her goal of becoming a Thunderbird, but she was not selected. “I was crushed, but I realized I could turn this into a learning opportunity,” said Russell. Despite not making the team, she used what she learned to prepare for the next opportunity. When the position opened again, Russell had already been selected for an assignment to Hawaii, which would have brought her closer to family. Pursuing the Thunderbirds meant giving up the assignment, forcing Russell to choose between two significant career opportunities. “I knew that if I didn’t give it my all and try again, I’d regret it the rest of my life,” said Russell. “I risked it all and declined the assignment to pursue a life goal.” After another round of interviews and evaluations, Russell waited to learn whether her second attempt would finally earn her a place on the team. “I was sitting in my car waiting for the phone to ring, and when I finally got the call that I made it, I screamed,” said Russell. “Everyone on the team was listening and started laughing because they could hear how excited I was. It was just an incredible feeling.” As Thunderbird No. 10, Russell will serve as the team’s executive officer and support its mission to represent the Air Force at air shows around the world and in community events. Russell will begin her Thunderbird assignment this fall and is expected to return to Davis-Monthan during the 2027 air show season, bringing her back to the installation that helped shape her career. “Davis-Monthan has been such a big part of my journey, and I’m incredibly grateful for everything this base has taught me,” Russell said. “To come back in 2027 as a Thunderbird will really be a full-circle moment for me.”
| Date Taken: | 08.24.2026 |
| Date Posted: | 08.24.2026 16:38 |
| Story ID: | 573121 |
| Location: | DAVIS-MONTHAN AIR FORCE BASE, ARIZONA, US |
| Web Views: | 21 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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