A Badge of Honor - Tiger Squadron to Perform over the Iconic Tournament of Roses Parade, January 1, 2024 By John Perchulyn Photographer and Contributor
On December 3rd, the Tiger Squadron took to the skies for a full dry run practice for their inaugural epic flight over the Tournament of Roses Parade. This is the first a civilian team that will fly over the parade.
The Torrance, California based Tiger Squadron is a civilian warbird formation flying team that performs mass, precision formation flyovers with up to 12 or more aircraft.
The Tigers regularly undergo rigorous, disciplined, military-type formation training and flying operations to achieve and maintain standardized formation proficiency and qualifications.
The chalk board outlines each pilot’s position, formation, take off sequence and flight timing.
As with every flight the Tiger Squadron performs a flight mission brief prior to launch.
The brief consists of review of the formation, assigning each pilots position, assuring they all have sufficient fuel and smoke for the display, alternate formation as well as emergency procedures.
Photo credit: Richard Soohoo
During the brief a time is set for all pilots to marshal to the staging area to insure an on time takeoff.
In order to insure that all is working properly, the Tigers perform a smoke check prior to take off.
Once they are cleared by the tower, the Tigers take off in the formation they discussed in the brief and then join up in the Diamond formation.
An integral figure in the flight will be the Forward Air Controller, or FAC, who for the Rose Parade mission will be John Bucher. John served for 10 years as an officer in the United States Marine Corps, where he was a FAC for a special operations infantry battalion and also a mission commander for a forward-deployed Marine all-weather attack squadron.
In late November, John and Craig conducted a mission planning meeting with the Tournament of Roses Association, the Pasadena Police Department, and the media production company.
John is equipped with a special radio to communicate to Tiger flight lead the time hack so that the squadron flies over the Coding For Veterans float at the appropriate time during the parade. On New Year's Day, he will be stationed in the Rose Parade control tower with the Pasadena Police Department and other officials.
The Tigers only have one shot to hit their target on time as hundreds of thousands on the ground and tens of millions of people around the world watch on television.
Photo credit: Richard Soohoo
After takeoff, the Tigers join up into the Diamond formation. At the direction of the lead pilot they turn their smoke on.
Tigers returning to the hangar.
As with the preflight brief, an after flight debrief is conducted where each pilot is polled for their perspective of the flight and to discuss any adjustments that may need to be made for the live flight over the parade.
With the mission concluded, Mark Steines with KTLA conducted interviews with Craig, Ryder and Gil and Ben. The interviews will be aired during the 2 hour parade preshow.
Tiger Squadron Pilots David Shaby, Gil Lipaz, Ben Holm, Peter Broen, Craig Ekberg (lead), Ryder Adams, Brad Amman, Gary Eliminoufi and Robert McNerney and Stella, the team mascot.
For more information on the Tiger Squadron go to their website
John Perchulyn and his wife Joyce, have been residents of the South Bay for over 40 years. Both are retired and enjoying the South Bay life. Since John’s retirement he has been filling the role of Team Photographer for the Tiger Squadron as well as doing Public Relations for the team. “Getting to participate in Tiger Squadron practice and event flights is a real thrill and privilege” John adds, “What really impresses me is the team’s dedication to practicing to perfection. I have no fear flying inverted with any of the pilots” The Tigers also conduct many flyovers to honor our military Veterans. “I get emotional when the team conducts a traditional missing man formation flyover at the graveside memorial for a fallen Veteran as well as the many other Veteran events they participate in such as the annual Veterans fishing tournament out in Catalina”. John often displays images he captures from Tiger events on local social media.
