Air Force Afterburner thrills monster truck fans at Alamodome

Air Force Links ^ | Staff Sgt. Jennifer Lindsey

[SandRat]

1/15/2007 - SAN ANTONIO (AFNEWS) -- Afterburner, the Air Force-sponsored monster truck, thrilled 50,0000 Monster Jam fans with car-crushing, high-jumping, raw engine power Jan. 13 at San Antonio's Alamodome.

2007 marks the second season the Air Force sponsors Afterburner, a high-powered 2006 monster truck equipped with a 1,465 HP, 540 Merlin motor and 66-inch tires designed to take on the U.S. Hot Rod Association Monster Jam racing circuit. The family-oriented competition draws more than one million fans of all ages to its event annually.

"Air Force sponsorship of Afterburner promotes Air Force awareness," said Tech. Sgt. Larry Wright, Air Force Recruiting Service special events marketing NCO. "Many monster truck fans are ages 17 to 27, providing us a lot of direct leads to potential recruits. In addition, a lot younger kids attend Monster Jam races, and Afterburner plants the seed of military branch awareness, which can possibly lead to interest in serving in the Air Force when they're older."

Afterburner's 2007 season driver, Damon Bradshaw, welcomed fans of all ages at the pit party by signing autographs and posing for photos for three hours before the competition kicked-off.

"It's an honor representing the men and women who fight for the safety of our nation," Mr. Bradshaw said. "I enjoy spending time with the kids who come to see our truck."

As fans waited to meet Mr. Bradshaw, 341st Recruiting Squadron recruiters answered fans' questions about Air Force career opportunities and benefits, and collected contact information from people who are interested in learning more.

The event caught the attention of Tyler Lawrence, 13, and Cody Debarge, 15, of San Antonio who took advantage of the opportunity to speak with recruiters while in line to meet Afterburner's driver. The two teens said they have always been interested in joining the military. Tyler is leaning more toward joining the Air Force after graduation and Cody is interested in joining the Marines. Recruiters onsite encouraged the grade-school students to study hard and graduate high school, and provided them career information to help them with their future decision.

"The Air Force is committed to recruiting the best America has to offer," said Col. Brian Madtes, Air Force Recruiting Service strategic communications division chief. "High energy events such as this provide us an excellent venue to share Air Force career opportunities with men and women who are interested in high-tech environments, are patriotic, seek adventure and want to do something amazing in their lives."

Driven to stay ahead of the competition, Afterburner's maintenance crew works day and night to make the Monster truck stronger, faster and safer to drive, said Paul Cohen, maintenance crew chief and Afterburner's 2006 season driver who is taking a break from driving while he recovers from an injury. Wheel tethers, improved suspension, advanced seatbelts, stronger tubing and tougher shocks are just a few of the technological advancements that have improved driver and crowd safety.

"Every show we're flying higher and further and the drivers are taking more of a beating," he said. "There's not many shocks out there that can take 10,000 pounds at a 40-foot jump. The driver takes on 28-30 Gs on the average landing. We're constantly researching and developing to improve safety, such as body, head and neck restraints."

For more information about the Air Force, visit www.airforce.com or www.dosomethingamazing.com, or call 1-800-423-USAF.

For more information about Afterburner, visit the Special Events link on www.airforce.com.

[SandRat]

Jonathan Juarez, 7, of San Antonio shares his dream of being pilot with Staff Sgt. Kenneth Pratt, 341st Recruiting Squadron, at the U.S. Hot Rod Association Monster Jam competition Jan. 13 in the Alamodome. Sergeant Pratt encouraged Jonathan to study hard in school, get good grades and to graduate high school to help ensure a future in the Air Force if that is what he wants to do when he gets older. Jonathan and his father Pascual Juarez were attending their first live Monster Jam competition when they visited the Air Force recruiting booth located next to Air Force-sponsored monster truck Afterburner. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Jennifer Lindsey)

[SandRat]

Monster Truck Rally in Texas. What a Show by the Air Force.

[Libertarianize the GOP]

Liberals will really have a cow, Air Force, motor sports and burning fossil fuels.

[xcamel]

[GoldCountryRedneck]

[Yo-Yo]

The F-111 had a fuel dump nozzle that exited the rear of the aircraft between the two afterburners. The Aussie F-111s like to do something called a "dump and burn" by dumping fuel while in afterburner. It looks like this:

[GoldCountryRedneck]

You win by .04 of a second! :)

[xcamel]

:-)
...speedy...

[CindyDawg]

Kind of...small

[xcamel]

:-)
...speedy...

[Fireone]

Is this a Rolls Merlin 12 cylinder engine? That's the same engine that powered Miss Budweiser and other hydros before they went to turbines. The boats would shake the ground when they went by 600 yards away! Huge noise and power!

[aculeus]

These shows have become popular in ... believe it or not ... Europe.

[CrazyIvan]

Is this a Rolls Merlin 12 cylinder engine? That's the same engine that powered Miss Budweiser and other hydros before they went to turbines. The boats would shake the ground when they went by 600 yards away! Huge noise and power!

Nothing sounds much better than a P-51 doing a fly-by with one of these things on song. If you're a motor nut it will give you a chubby.

[31M20RedDevil]

I was thinking Miss Bud was powered by an Allison,but you may well
be correct.Loved the sound of those thunder boats.

Saw them last yr on Percy Priest,flat lake,no wind,they were hitting
close to 200. That rooster tail is awesome at that speed

[GoldCountryRedneck]

Is this a Rolls Merlin 12 cylinder engine?

Wrong Merlin. This one is a 540 CI V-8. Probably supercharged to get the 1400+ HP and built by a racing specialty shop (I forget who)....

I think the current crop of re-worked RR V-12's (Boats, air-racers, etc) produce something like 3500HP.

THAT would REALLY be a "Monster Truck"!!

[ASOC]

How about the sound of a C-47 at idle as it taxis in to park, with those monster P&W R1830 popping as the engines wind down prior to shutdown.

That's an Airplane!

[aruanan]

Nothing sounds much better than a P-51 doing a fly-by with one of these things on song. If you're a motor nut it will give you a chubby.

When I lived in the Dominican Republic in the Cibao Valley, I went out of the school in the late afternoon when I heard the drone of approaching aircraft far up the western end of the valley. As I watched, five P-51's of the Dominican Airforce flew low right over our school. It was SO exciting.