The "Diamond Crash" interrupts the demonstrations of the Thunderbirds for 14 monthsuntil April 2, 1983, when they flew again - to perform an aerobatic demonstration, but now with new aircraft - General Dynamics F-16A Fighting Falcon. Thunderbirds Aircraft History - Fifty-five minutes before five teenagers were arrested after authorities drove a stolen car from New Braunfels to San Antonio, police said.. 1 hour ago News is being updated. On Jun 24, 2017, The Thunderbirds #8 F-16D jet skidded off the runway during landing and flipped on its top, trapping two people inside the cockpit. By Lucy Buchholz. Col. Schumbert C. "Hoss" Jones, a former Thunderbird pilot assigned to TAC headquarters, was appointed project officer. The current right wing pilot, Maj. Zane Taylor, will transition to Thunderbird 4, replacing Maj. Michael Brewer. Save the date and make plans to attend the biggest and most productive event of the year for business aviation. The tense relationship erupted in the bar last September, the day after the Thunderbirds conducted a flyover for the Washington Redskins home opener at FedEx Field in Landover Maryland. The cause of the crash was a throttle trigger malfunction and inadvertent throttle rotation led to the engine cut-off. On January 9, 1969, Captain Jack Thurman killed during solo training with F-100C aircraft. The A-2 jacket was reborn in 1987 for a new generation of pilots and flight crew members to commemorate the Air Force's fortieth anniversary and to rekindle esprit de corps. United States. The more than 120 enlisted members represent nearly 30 different career fields and serve as . In 1949 United States Air Force in Europe (USAFE) created their own aerobatic team named Skyblazers. Located at the magnificent Palexpo in Geneva, Switzerland and the Geneva International Airport, EBACE2023 will be the place to engage with companies that are paving a new way in the business aviation marketplace. Malachowski attended undergraduate pilot training at Columbus AFB, Mississippi. Multiple witnesses told investigators that they were concerned about the relationship between Heard and that pilot, and that the pilot told several teammates he thought Heard was going to kill him while flying. General Larson said they had visual references measured out from show center and would use the radio to sync up in 1965, but no . The event featured female air and space pioneers, including astronauts, a World War II Women Airforce Service Pilot and . Also in 1976 the team planes numbers changed with 200th year's logo of the United States creation. Mission
This team exist until1936 when it was disbanded. Months of tension over former Thunderbirds commander Lt. Col. Jason Heards perceived risk-taking leadership style boiled over in a physical altercation in a Maryland bar last September, in which Heard put his hands on another Thunderbird pilots neck. This episode was made possible by Foundation For Women Warriors. Following the crash, the Thunderbirds used just one solo aircraft during airshows until they transited to T-38 Talon. by skymaster68 Sat Aug 08, 2020 9:52 pm, Discussions about the U.S. Air Force Air Demonstration Squadron. The first appearance of the Thunderbirds was on July 1, 1953 at Nellis airbase, Nevada, while the first demonstration was on July 8th and the first publics display was on July 23. Robert Anderson Solo/Left Wing 1955-1957 Maj. Donald Ferris . Until the end of 1953 the Thunderbirds performed 50 air demonstrations. Pages in category "United States Air Force Thunderbirds pilots" The following 10 pages are in this category, out of 10 total. In the beginning they used four Republic F-84G Thunderjet. LOUISVILLE, Ky. ( WAVE /Gray News) - Two co-workers in Kentucky are splitting a big $50,000 win after buying lottery scratch-off tickets during their . In Sept 1981 the Thunderbirds leader D.L. A Thunderbirds air demonstration is a mix of formation flying and solo routines. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. (Master Sgt. Whether you have specific questions about how to join the Air Force, are seeking more information or are ready to apply, were here to help. US NAVY Blue Angels cancelled their displays also. Retired Lt. Col. Dale Cooke, former United States Air Force Thunderbird pilot, climbs a ladder to view the cockpit of Aircraft 177 at Tyndall Air Force Base, Fla., Sept. 7, 2016. The two solo aircraft collided in mid-air as the Thurman F-100 crashed, but the other pilot landed his F-100 safely. In the next year the Thunderbirds moved Republic F-105B Thunderchief, but fly on it only in six shows between April 29 and May 9. EBACE2026 will bring together business leaders, government officials, manufacturers, flight department personnel, avionics firms, fractional providers, charter/lease companies and all manner of people involved in nearly every aspect of business aviation. Malachowski is recovering from a debilitating neurological tick-borne illness and is now retired from the military, but her career is proof that women now have opportunities in the military and in aviation that they did not have years ago. Coming to Huntington Beach for the Pacific Airshow, the Thunderbirds, past and present, include some supremely accomplished female fighter pilots. This article was spurred by a LinkedIn post I once read by Michelle "Mace" Curran, a former U.S. Air Force (USAF) Thunderbird pilot. . Eight officers serve as our highly experienced pilots, and four serve in critical roles from medical support to public affairs. Attend EBACE2024 to experience new and future-forward aviation technologies including high-tech small aircraft, ultra-modern intercontinental jets, advanced air mobility and eVTOL aircraft, state-of-the-art avionics and much more. In June 1956, the team moved to its current home at Nellis. Produced by Ryan Nothhaftwww.blueangelphantoms.comEmail: blueangelphantoms@gmail.comTwitter: @blueangelf4Instagram: @blueangelphantomsNEW: Blue Angel Phantom. Thunderbirds Aircraft History. Had number 2 attached on April 1, 1993 and was number 6 on February 14, 1994. Jerry Bolt, slot pilot and Tech Sgt. The USAF Thunderbird Associationpromotes a shared purpose to create a welcoming community for all past, current and future Thunderbirds and help preserve our history for generations to come. The pilot Maj. Alex Turner ejected safely and is walking around unhurt. Brian Ferguson). Lauren Schlichting, 4th Fighter Wing, Seymour Johnson, North Carolina, has been selected as Thunderbird 3, the team's Right Wing pilot. That pilot wasnt the only one who felt Heard was breaking the rules. Replacements must be trained for about half of the team each year, providing a constant mix of experience. This was a deployed show that involved the jets taking off from and landing at a different site from the air show. Seven witnesses observed the altercation, the report said, and witness testimony was consistent that Lt. Col. Heard placed his hands around [the unnamed pilots] neck. Witnesses told investigators that both Heard and the other pilot had consumed alcohol that evening. On that tour on July 1, 2007 in Graf Ignatievo Air Base, Bulgaria, happens a birdstrike accident. Captain Joseph Pete Peterson was a pilot for the Thunderbird division of the United States Air Force. The Thunderbird Association exists to promote the comradeship of former and current members of the U. S. Air Force Air Demonstration Squadron "The Thunderbirds" and to ensure that "Once A Thunderbird, Always A Thunderbird" is a continued commitment from each member and that excellence remains the benchmark by which we measure all we do. In the beginning of 1960's for the first time on the body of F-100C was painted the well-known silhouette of a thunderbird. Dec, 21, 1972, Capt. During General Newton's time in the Thunderbirds, local . Mentors played a key role throughout her career, including a life-long woman mentor who first taught her at the Air Force Academy, as well as many male mentors who encouraged her along the way. If she was lucky, one of the local pilots would take her up for a ride and if Sally was really lucky, the pilot would give her temporary control of the aircraft. With Phantoms the Thunderbirds performed 518 aerial demonstrations. Since the show site was separate from the takeoff site, no groundshow was conducted. "Frontier days was always one of our favorite shows," Blaisdell said. The 2010 season, the team's 57th year of performing, saw the team in 73 shows all over the United States and Canada. [16] After medically retiring in 2017, Malachowski became a public speaker and patient advocate for people with tick borne illnesses.[5][6]. WHM highlight former Thunderbirds pilot. On May 9, 1964, when the team arrived at the Hamilton airbase, California, a short time before landing, Thunderbird #2 Capt. My peers had never known an Air Force without women, so I had the same pressure any fighter pilot feels to perform, said Malachowski, noting that any pushback to having women fighter pilots was more a generational thing. experiences that speak to who we are and in whose lives we made a difference. [11] In April 2010 she was admitted to the Mother and Infant Care Center (MICC) of the National Naval Medical Center in Bethesda, Maryland, in expectation of the birth of twins. Ryan grew up watching his dad fly fighter jets. On that plane the squadron resumed its flights on fighters. Stay up-to-date on the latest operational information critical to your job and connect with over 900 fellow peers. F-84 Thunderjet - Republic Aviation-1953 thru 1954 - 132 flights / Thunderstreak - Republic Aviation- 1955 thru 1956- 90 flights Gallery. More than300 million people in all 50 states and 58 foreign countries have seen the red, white and blue jets in more than 4,000 aerial demonstrations. The AOPA Extra 300L introduced McSpadden, a career U.S. Air Force fighter pilot and former leader of the Thunderbirds demonstration team, to competition-style aerobatics that involve negative Gs, spins, and tumbles. Ed). Mark Smith is an airline pilot, mixed martial arts referee, judge, and trainer, and corporate health and wellness advocate. Today the team performs about 60 shows yearly. Travis Grindstaff, 79th Fighter Squadron, Shaw Air Force Base, South Carolina, has been selected as Thunderbird 9, the teams Flight Surgeon. An official website of the United States government, Air Force Distributed Common Ground System, Hosted by Defense Media Activity - WEB.mil. She was commissioned as a second lieutenant upon graduation in 1996. The solo pilots perform maneuvers that showcase the maximum capabilities of the F-16 aircraft. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. The highlight of the first shows was the supersonic low pass, but after a few demonstrations the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) banned supersonic passes at air displays. December 2007 June 2008: Deputy Chief, Commander's Action Group. Here are all the Thunderbird Officers, their rank, position(s), and years while they were part of the team: Only Ralph Hoot Gibson comes to mind, Commander/Leader 1961-1963. Lloyd W. "Fig" Newton is a retired United States Air Force 4-star general who served as Commander, Air Education and Training Command (COMAETC) from 1997 to 2000. Here's how to make the most of it. Linkedin. The squadron exhibits the professional qualities the Air Force develops in the people who fly, maintain and support these aircraft. Then, as the three rose into a vertical climb, when Devlin's aircraft was at about a 45-degree attitude to the ground, and traveling about 300 knots, the fuselage snapped in half, just above the weapons bay, and blew up. Scott "Kidd" Poteet, a retired U.S. Air Force colonel and former Thunderbird pilot, will serve as mission pilot for the Polaris Dawn SpaceX mission in late 2022. As a result, absolute trust and teamwork in both our professional and personal dynamics are foundational to our mission.. Although the Thunderbirds were formed to demonstrate the abilities of combat pilots and aircraft, they were urged to move on the training Northrop T-38 Talon, because five Talons used as much fuel as only one F-4. This trip provides the team a month of air show practice in different conditions and terrains. served as a White House Fellow and was the executive director of a White House initiative where she directly advised former First Lady Michelle Obama and Dr. Jill Biden on all topics relating to service members . LAS VEGAS, NV The Air Force Thunderbirds this week selected new officers and pilots who will join the squadron in September for the 2022 and 2023 air show seasons. Northrop T-38 Talon does not have a system for air refueling and for that reason the Thunderbirds does not organize shows over the ocean. Cooke flew the T-38 from 1979-1982 when it was a Thunderbird jet and performed in over 200 events annually. 1 jet during flight formations, demonstrating the teamwork and precision of Americas Air Force. You can look out those porthole windows at landscape from 20,000 feet for only so long. The Air Force said this was his first year as a Thunderbird pilot. On Feb 14, 1994, Thunderbird #5 Maj. John Switzer crashed while performing "spiral descent" maneuver at Indiana Springs Auxiliary Airfield, Nevada during winter training. by Lawndart Thu Aug 06, 2020 9:17 pm, Post In 2009, the Thunderbirds traveled back to the Pacific Rim, performing in locations like Malaysia, Guam, Australia, Korea and Japan. The team was named Guardian Angels. Emilio Rivera, senior program manager for Gogo Business Aviation, and Jay Boykin, Gogo's vice president, diversity, equity and inclusion, talk with NBAA TV about their practical experience with supporting diversity and the important conversations on the topic taking place at 2022 NBAA-BACE. That was Parks Air College. We moved there in late 1942. The team performed more than 70 shows in 22 states and Puerto Rico. Saudi Hawks (present team) Serbia. [8][13][17] Malachowski has been an advocate of recognition of the Women Airforce Service Pilots (WASP), America's first women military aviators who served during World War II. Contact. The Thunderbirds were officially formed on May 25, 1953, as a 3600 aerobatic squadron at the Luke airbase, Arizona. McPeak ejected and land near to the crowd. He also occasionally takes duty shifts aboard Thunderbird 5 and serves as second in command of the International Rescue organisation, although the episode Atlantic Inferno was the only time we saw him sitting at his father's desk. Enough to say I was in servicemans heaven for each and every day of those 2 years. The airshow in Mexico City was watched by 300 000 people on the airport and more 1 200 000 on the hills around the airport. The team changed briefly to the Republic F-105 Thunderchief. Early in 1983, the Thunderbirds reinstituted their traditional role of demonstrating the Air Force's front-line fighter capabilities. In 1957 from the 774th Troop Carrier Squadron was formed Four Horsemen aerobatic display team flying four C-130 Hercules airplanes. The NBAA Business Aviation Taxes Seminar provides a comprehensive understanding of how the appropriate tax laws and regulations apply exclusively to business aviation operators. The 2023 NBAA Maintenance Conference provides vital education and networking opportunities for anyone involved in business aircraft maintenance from technicians to directors of maintenance. It is unclear what Heards current assignment is. The Team
Each year brings another opportunity for the team to represent those who deserve the most credit: the everyday, hard-working Airmen voluntarily serving America and defending freedom. The team flew four F-86D Sabre planes. A Thunderbirds air demonstration is a mix of formation flying and solo routines. Heard was relieved of command last November after a commander-directed investigation found he did exhibit aggressive physical contact towards his subordinate," an unnamed member of the U.S. Air Force Air Demonstration Squadron, on Sept. 11, 2017, at an Irish pub in National Harbor, Maryland. Heard took command of the squadron Jan. 6, 2017, and was relieved at the conclusion of the season Nov. 20, 2017, by Brig. On July 4, 1969, in the presence of President Nixon in Colorado Springs the Thunderbirds introduced their new aircraft - McDonnell Douglas F-4E Phantom II. (U.S. Air Force Photo by Tech. Lucky for me, it was at Nellis. The more than 120 enlisted members represent nearly 30 different career fields and serve as the backbone of our team, ensuring all jets and operations are in top shape at all times. [11] She graduated from Western High School in Las Vegas in 1992. Between 1 September 2008 and 31 August 2009, Malachowski was on special assignment, participating in the White House Fellows Program for the Class of 20082009, assigned to the General Services Administration. The first commander of the Thunderbirds was Major Dick Catledge, for left and right wings are selected ex-Skyblazers members twins brothers Lieutenant Bill and Lieutenant Buck Pattillo and for the slot Captain Bob Kanaga. Stephen Losey is the air warfare reporter for Defense News. The Thunderbirds squadron is an Air Combat Command unit composed of eight pilots (including six demonstration pilots), four support officers, three civilians and more than 130 enlisted personnel performing in 25 career fields. The 2023 NBAA Tax, Regulatory & Risk Management Conference is the premier conference for attorneys, CPAs, financial advisors, CFOs and flight operations professionals looking for tax planning strategies from industry leaders. He was also the first African-American pilot in the U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds. F-16 Fighting Falcon
Sgt. The diamond tries to perform loop in a line abreast, when the leader's plane received mechanical break-down, which does not allow it to exit from loop. From biplanes to space. Retired Lt. Col. Dale Cooke, a former Air Force Thunderbird pilot, climbs a ladder to view the cockpit of his former T-38 Talon at Tyndall Air Force Base, Fla., Sept. 7, 2016. Lauren Schlichting, 4th Fighter Wing, Seymour Johnson, North Carolina, has been selected as Thunderbird 3, the team's Right Wing pilot. President McManus said 25 minutes ago a man was shot dead by SAPD officers in a shooting at the Motel 6 parking lot. [9] She was medically retired from the USAF in 2017 after attaining the rank of colonel. F-100 Super Sabre-North American -1956 thru 1963 - 642 flights / Super Sabre- North American-1964 thru 1968- 469 flights Gallery. by skymaster68 Thu Aug 06, 2020 8:19 am, Post In the 2006 season for the first time in Thunderbirds history, a woman demonstration pilot was chosen. The industrys efforts to diversify were the topic of a keynote talk given by NBAAs Jo Damato, CAM, at the National Training Aircraft Symposium at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University in Daytona Beach, FL. 1974 was the short season - only 4 months with 35 shows. Lt. Col. Kevin Walsh, who was the Thunderbirds' operations officer, assumed command of the team after Heard was relieved. "We just call it the 'Pattillo Pull.'" The aircraft overturned on grass, destroying the $29 million fighter jet and injuring the pilot. Retired Lt. Col. Dale Cooke, a former Air Force Thunderbird pilot, climbs a ladder to view the cockpit of his former T-38 Talon at Tyndall Air Force Base, Fla., Sept. 7, 2016. He left his aircraft and jump into a spare one. All four pilots were killed instantly: Major Norman L. Lowry, commander/leader, Captain Willie Mays, Captain Joseph N. Pete Peterson, and Captain Mark Melancon. His engines sucked seagulls on takeoff. Perhaps her greatest honor and achievement came when she was selected to become the first woman Thunderbird pilot the first woman to fly on any Department of Defense military jet demonstration team. Former Thunderbird pilot reunites with T-38 at Tyndall AFB. It's incredible," said former Thunderbirds . Reddit. Here are all the Thunderbird Officers, their rank, position(s), and years while they were part of the team: Thunderbird Officers 1953 to Present Maj. Richard Catledge Commander/Leader . On F-84F the Thunderbirds performed 100 shows, but only in 1955. (At that time, they did the calling.) Photo by Patty Dexter A crowd watches a TBM Avenger and F-4G Corsair start their engines during the 2014 AirExpo. In 1955 the Thunderbirds moved on swept wing Republic F-84F Thunderstreak airplanes and for the first time used white smoke generator. The team flew four Lockheed P-80 Shooting Star planes and later - on the training version T-33. Women's History Month: First Female Thunderbird Pilot Trailblazed for All Women in Aviation. The team was created to the Air Tactics School of the aviation corps in Maxwell Field, Alabama flew four Boeing P-12 aircraft. - To support Air Force recruiting and retention programs
The Thunderbirds were officially formed on May 25, 1953, as a 3600 aerobatic squadron at the Luke airbase, Arizona. During the first six shows the team carried the name Stardusters, but after that the name was changed to Thunderbirds, because of the influence of local Indian culture. The couple met while both were serving as aircrew in the 48th Fighter Wing at RAF Lakenheath in the United Kingdom. On the next year a second woman demo pilot, Major Samantha Weeks was selected to flew as opposing solo #6 position. December 1996 March 1998: Student, Undergraduate Pilot Training Class 9803. Gather with other operators for up-to-the minute information to support aircraft operations in regions around the world. Former Thunderbird pilot reunites with T-38 at Tyndall AFB. Both planes received insignificant damages, but in the name of security the show was cut off. This crash limited flying on all USAF Super Sabres to 4G. [11] In high school, she was a cadet member of the Nevada Wing of the Civil Air Patrol[12] and participated in AFJROTC, where she was rated cadet colonel, the highest rank a cadet could achieve. Trailblazer: Michelle Curran, former Thunderbird pilot. With my background before and after entering the service, it was only natural that I was assigned to the Transit Alert. Thats why the Thunderbirds flew F-4E Phantom just in five-ship formation at airshows. By design, the position openings are staggered, allowing the squadron to maintain continuity of experience and leadership. The future of aviation will be driven by safety, equity, and innovation thats the message Acting FAA Administrator Billy Nolen delivered at an Aero Club luncheon. We have to put in the work 365 days a year. Facebook. Learn MoreSupport the AssociationAbout USAF ThunderbirdsContact Us, For any additional information feel free to email us at: admusaftba@gmail.com or call us at: (813) 284-0338. On this year the Thunderbirds performed three tours in Europe, Latin America and the Caribbean - total 121 shows in 23 countries. Maj. Nicole Malachowski answers questions at the Women in Aviation and Space Family Day March 14 at the National Air and Space Museum's Hazy Center in Chantilly, Va. But for needs of the Thunderbirds radio and navigation equipment was moved on the front cabin, the control lever in the back cabin was removed, the vertical stabilizer of slot #4 was covered with steel and looks like painted in black (actually it is fumigated by #1 exhaust gases). Thunderbird Team Photos 1953-2020 Gallery. In the next year to the same school was created the other display team Skylarks, but they exist only one year. The entire show, including ground and air, runs about an hour and fifteen minutes. Twitter. Since the aircraft are only slightly modified, they can be made combat-ready in less than 72 hours. The season lasts from March to November, with the winter months used to train new members. (More about this crash here). In 2019, she was inducted into the National Women's Hall of Fame.[10]. Former Thunderbirds pilot 'an inspiration' for young girls. During her second tour at RAF Lakenheath, Malachowski deployed for four months in early 2005 in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom, flying 26 combat missions. The only modifications needed to prepare the aircraft for its air demonstration role are installing a smoke-generating system in the space normally reserved for the 20mm cannon, and the painting of the aircraft in Thunderbird colors. During the take-off of the diamond #3 and #4 collided while realigning. After successfully completing her tour with the USAF Thunderbirds in November 2007, including approximately 140 performances, Malachowski served on staff of the Commander, United States Air Force Warfare Center, at Nellis AFB, to June 2008. (Air Force). By the time she graduated from undergraduate pilot training at Columbus AFB, Malachowski was among the first group of women chosen to fly modern fighter aircraft. She earned a Bachelor of Science degree in management, with a minor in French,[13] from the United States Air Force Academy, graduating 4th in the class of 1996. History
She trained at Seymour Johnson AFB, North Carolina, with the 4th Fighter Wing on the F-15E Strike Eagle. Most of these pilots found their way to Iwo Jima, in one way or another. In 1950 year was formed Sabre Dancers display team from the 94th fighter squadron. All Rights Reserved, Watch Thunderbirds F-100 Super Sabre video, opposing solo #6 aircraft of the team, crashed at Widefield, The Thunderbirds #8 F-16D jet skidded off the runway, Thunderbirds F-100D Super Sabre Gallery 2, Thunderbirds Transport and Support Aircraft Gallery. -- Lieutenant Col. Nichole Malachowski was the first female pilot to be selected to fly as part of the U.S. Air Force Air Demonstration Squadron, also known as the Thunderbirds. In 1950 from the crew of the 38th bomber wing based in France was created another aerobatic team which flew five bombers Martin B-57 Canberra, while one of them was a solo. The officers include two new formation pilots, an advance pilot/ narrator, a flight surgeon, and a maintenance lead. In 3 years, my Dad taught 1,800 pilots to fly for the Army, Navy and Marines. He is the slot pilot, flying just behind the lead plane in the Thunderbirds' 4-jet diamond formation . The largest crowd, 2.25 million people, to see a performance was at Coney Island, N.Y., July 4, 1987. Officers serve a two-year assignment with the squadron, while enlisted personnel serve three to four. The U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds have announced five new officer selections for the 2023-2024 air show seasons. Capt. The crash occurs by the "excess airspeed and insufficient stopping distance on a wet runway caused the aircraft to depart the runway and overturn in the grass. One of them carried the name Red Devils and was created in the Las Vegas airbase (later renamed to Nellis). Malachowski will share her story later this month during the NBAA GO Leadership Summit. If youre interested in elevating your career to the next level, look no further than SDC2025. United States. The USAF Thunderbird Association promotes a shared purpose to create a welcoming community for all past, current and future Thunderbirds and help preserve our history for generations to come. Matthew Kelly joined The . Sgt. Creech, a former Thunderbird pilot of the 1950s, also was known as "The Father of the Thunderbirds" for rescuing the Air Force's Aerial Demonstration Team from a congressional chopping block after four of its pilots were killed on Jan. 18, 1982, near Indian Springs while on a training exercise. Thunderbirds, official name U.S. Air Force Air Demonstration Squadron, U.S. Air Force fighter aircraft squadron that performs aerobatics at air shows and other events throughout the United States and around the world. First demonstration with F-100C was on May 19, 1956 at Armed Forces Day at Nellis AFB. U.S. Air Force Col. Shawn "Norm" Pederson was a Thunderbird pilot and vice commander of the 4th Fighter Wing. On June 4, 1972, #3 left wing Major Joe Howard killed during the Transpo airshow at Dulles International Airport. The Navy and Marine pilots were trained in J-3s to PT-19s before being sent overseas. She started working on her pilot's license before graduating from high school. In 1967 the Thunderbirds performed their show number 1000 and in the next year they received the status of an official aerobatic squadron of US Air Force. But I did excel, and I was on active duty flying F-16s for 13 years - three of which were as a solo pilot for the Air Force Thunderbirds. On 2 June 2016 the opposing solo #6 aircraft of the team, crashed at Widefield approximately five miles south of Peterson Air Force Base. The United States Air Force Air Demonstration Squadron "Thunderbirds" fly over Las Vegas, Nev., April 11, 2020. Singapore. Its last show with F-4E Phantom was on Nov 10, 1973. In July 1996, the team participated in opening ceremonies of the Centennial Olympics held in Atlanta which were viewed by an estimated 3.5 billion people around the world.