Fall 2023

More than 750 volunteers work behind the scenes to bring a smooth, seamless event to the public, many of whom, like Curtis, have been lending their time and talent for many years. “Some people plan their vacation time around the airshow so they can be available,” she says. Roberta Clatterbuck of Monterey is one of that group. “I’ve been volunteering on and off since the early 1990s,” she says.“I took over the posi- tion of jet team liaison from Karen in 2016.” Each team, such as the Thunderbirds, sends a manual to the organizers that contains all the various things needed for their visit, such as transportation, lodging and various specialized equipment requirements. It begins not long after the sound of the last jet has faded from each year’s show. “I make sure things are in place by 112 C A R M E L M A G A Z I N E • F A L L 2 0 2 3 Photo: Alex Garcia, Mag One Media The elite USAF Thunderbirds team has been thrilling audiences around the world since 1953. These highly skilled pilots demonstrate the awe-inspiring capabilities of their F-16 Fighting Falcon jets through intricately choreographed aerial routines. Photo: Alex Garcia, Mag One Media