Despite Covid-19 The Tiger Squadron had a busy 2020

by John Perchulyn

Throughout the year Southern California's premier formation flying team, the Tiger Squadron, participates in many events which include Missing Man formation, fundraisers and display flyovers. Whatever the mission, the Tiger Squadron team are ready to step up to the challenge. Here are some highlights.

Missing Man flyover

The Missing Man formation flyover is a unique way to honor the life of a loved one. Tiger Squadron offers flyover for funeral and memorial services and is a unique way to celebrate the life of a veteran, first responder or civilian in this respectful, honorable and unforgettable tribute.

Photo credit: John Perchulyn

Tour de Pier cancer fundraiser

Tour de Pier is a unique fundraising event that brings one of the hottest indoor fitness activities — stationary cycling — to the gorgeous outdoors of Manhattan Beach. the Cancer Challenge is a spin bike fundraiser held on the Pier. Although the event was virtual this year, in support of the cancer fundraising event, the Tiger Squadron still performed a flyover the Manhattan Pier.

Photo credit: John Perchulyn

Cancer fundraiser for Olivia

Putting the wheels on the ground, the Tiger Squadron did a drive-by the Corner Store in San Pedro, to participate in a fundraiser for 2 1/2 year old Olivia Saluzzi. Olivia suffers from bone marrow cancer and Leukemia. The Tiger Squadron Team donated $3,300 to the fundraiser. Proceeds from the event went to Olivia's cancer treatments.

Photo credit John Perchulyn

Bridge opening celebration

With the grand opening of the new Gerald Desmond replacement bridge, the Tiger Squadron was recruited to do a precision flyover the bridge at the precise time the ribbon cutting and “first drive” procession of zero-emission and low-emission cargo trucks and dozens of classic cars took place.

Photographer unknown

Law enforcement fundraiser

This summer the Redondo Beach Police Foundation planned a fundraiser for the foundation. Many LA county law enforcement leaders were represented. The Tiger Squadron members participated in gathering up auction items as well as helping to put the whole event together. The auction turned out to be the biggest successes the foundation ever held with proceeds exceeding $100,000, double than they have ever raised.

Photo credit: John Perchulyn

War hero’s fishing tournament

FOR LOVE OF COUNTRY. Healing Our Heroes. Honoring Their Sacrifices. Creating Once-in-a-Lifetime Experiences.

The WHOW Tournament is an amazing experience and has become the premier fishing event of the year for our Veterans. The Tiger Squadron was recruited to do a flyover the fishing event at Catalina Island to salute our Veterans.

Photo credit: Unknown

USC flyover

Although the stadium was empty, the Tiger Squadron continued another tradition of flying over the USC stadium while the USC marching band played on.

Videographer unknown

Reagan Library flyover

An annual tradition on Veterans Day the Tiger Squadron, performed their formation flyover the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library.

Photographer unknown

Other flyover events the Tiger Squadron participates in throughout the year are Rams NFL Football, Santa Barbara Veterans Day Parade, Vietnam POW reunion hero’s project and Richard Nixon Presidential Library.

With the new year rapidly approaching, the Tiger Squadron looks forward to continuing their formation flyover’s in 2021.

For more information on the Tiger Squadron, please visit their website, www.tigersquadron.com and go like their Facebook Page, The Tiger Squadron. Or email to info@tigersquadron.com.

#TigerSquadron.

Bio

John Perchulyn has been a resident of Redondo Beach for 35 years.

Having a love for photography, John opened Riviera Imaging photo lab in 1994 in the Riviera Village. The lab quickly became very well established as the place to go for quality film developing and excellent customer service to the extent that John and his staff won the prestigious National Photofinisher of the Year award in 1996.

Operating the lab for almost 20 years, John elected to retire and sell off the business to Paul’s Photo camera store on Hawthorne Blvd.

While in business, John was very involved in community affairs. Serving two terms on the Redondo Beach Chamber board of directors as well as President of the Riviera Village merchants association.

Most of John’s work consists of “beach photography” capturing the sunsets and beach life in the South Bay. John has had the privilege of having his images grace the cover of the Redondo Beach Visitors Bureau magazine on 3 occasions.

Recently John has joined up with the Tiger Squadron as team photographer to spearhead Public Relations for the Team.