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Major "Rocket" Baker, a native of Fayetteville, North Carolina, has more than 1,400 hours in the F-16. He graduated from the United States Air Force Academy in 2005. In 2008 when he finished his F-16 Basic Course at the 162 FS Springfield ANGB in Ohio he was assigned to the 555 FS Aviano AB in Italy for 3 years as an operational F-16 pilot and flight lead. His next assignment in 2011 was to the 607 Air Support Operation Group at Osan Air Base in South Korea as Liason Officer and Flight Commander. He became an instructor pilot in 2013 at the 79 FS, Shaw Air Force Base, South Carolina, where he also served as flight commander. In 2014 he was selected to be the Air Combat Command F-16 Viper Demonstration pilot.
The team consists of three combat-ready F-16C block 50 jets. Two are flown to airshows, where one serves as a spare aircraft. An integral part of the team is the ground crew. Four maintainers, including MSgt Smith, are assigned to the team at each show. They are responsible for launch and recovery of the jet at air shows. They also film every practice and performance for post flight review. MSgt Smith also narrates the team’s 14-minute flying routine. While Major Baker and a safety officer fly the two F-16s to airshows, the maintainers drive up to 8 hours to reach a venue or fly via commercial aircraft if the show is further away. The team has 6 pilots qualified as safety officers. Any time Major Baker is performing, he must have a rated officer on the ground as his “wingman.” The team performed at 15 shows across the United States in 2015.
The Viper Demo Team is also a part of the USAF Heritage Flight, where the F-16 flies in formation with a historical WWII, Korean War or Vietnam War era aircraft.
Aviation Photojournal would like to extend its sincerest thanks to MSgt Aaron Smith, Major Craig Baker and Major Scott Clyman for their invaluable assistance and hospitality.