The commanding officer of the U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds flight demonstration team, Lt. Col. Jason Heard, has been removed from his post by Brig. Gen. Jeannie Leavitt.
![1-Lt-Col-Heard-Jason[1]](http://alert5.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/1-Lt-Col-Heard-Jason1.jpg)
Photo: U.S. Air Force
A statement by the service said Leavitt “lost confidence in his leadership and risk management style.”
“This was an incredibly difficult decision to make, but one that is ultimately in the best interests of the Thunderbird team,” she said in a statement. “I am personally grateful for Jason’s dedication to the 2017 season.”
Maj. Raymond Geoffroy, a spokesman for the Thunderbirds, told Air Force Times that Heard’s removal had nothing to do with the crash of a F-16D in June.