Maj. Nick Krajicek, Thunderbird #4, flies in a two-ship formation with retired Lt. Col. Dale Cooke, former Thunderbird #4, over Tyndall Air Force Base and Panama City, Fla., April 21, 2017. The T-38 in the form More
Senior Airman Keith replaces the struts on a vehicle at an undisclosed location in Southwest Asia April 8, 2015. The Expeditionary Logistics Readiness Squadron is responsible for the maintenance of more than 80 More
Staff Sgt. Scott performs an inspection of a quick-don mask at an undisclosed location in Southwest Asia, April 15, 2015. The inspection ensured the mask was free of tears, holes, debris. Scott is an aircrew fl More
Senior Airman James is a fire team member assigned to the Expeditionary Security Forces Squadron at an undisclosed location in Southwest Asia. As a security forces member, James is responsible for protecting pe More
Senior Airman Kaleb and Airman 1st Class Andrew, far right, paint shelving units for the pharmacy at an undisclosed location in Southwest Asia April 24, 2015. The shelves provided additional storage space for t More
Tech Sgt. Samantha turns on auxiliary power units on a KC-10 Extender at an undisclosed location in Southwest Asia May 12, 2015. The auxiliary power units provide power and air to the aircraft while on the grou More
Airman 1st Class Arnaldo proceeds to an R-12 refueling vehicle at an undisclosed location in Southwest Asia May 18, 2015. The R-12 refueling vehicle draws fuel from an underground hydrant system and pushes it t More
Staff Sgt. Oren reviews technical orders prior to launching an F-15E Strike Eagle at an undisclosed location in Southwest Asia, May 31, 2015. Technical orders are step-by-step procedures used by maintenance per More
Tech. Sgt. Kermit adjusts the sensitivity controls on a planned position indicator at an undisclosed location in Southwest Asia, June 29, 2015. The sensitivity controls allows the radar to detect targets and di More
A French Air Force Rafale approaches a Royal Australian Air Force KC-30A drogue line to refuel during a combat sortie over Iraq July 2, 2015. The RAAF KC-30A operates as part of the Australian Air Task Group. T More
An F-22 Raptor pilot conducts prelaunch procedures at an undisclosed location in Southwest Asia, July 9, 2015. The F-22’s combination of sensor capability, integrated avionics, situational awareness, and weapon More
Senior Airman Alema searches the bottom of a vehicle for contraband and explosives at an undisclosed location in Southwest Asia, July 13, 2015. Airman Alema is a security forces member assigned to the 380th Exp More
Senior Airman Anthony pours a concrete roof on a structure at an undisclosed location in Southwest Asia July 28, 2015. Airman Anthony is a structural apprentice assigned to the 557th Expeditionary RED HORSE Squ More
Senior Airman Dominique changes a compressor on an air conditioning unit at an undisclosed location in Southwest Asia, Aug. 19, 2015. The air conditioning unit supplies cold air to aircraft while they are perfo More
Senior Airman Alvaro inspects the right engine bay of an RQ-4 Global Hawk during a preflight at an undisclosed location in Southwest Asia Sept. 14, 2015. Alvaro is a crew chief assigned to the 380th Expeditiona More
Senior Airman Christopher reviews an X-ray of an F-15E for cracks at an undisclosed location in Southwest Asia, Sept. 15, 2015. Nondestructive inspection uses X-rays to look inside aircraft to identify damage. More
The helmet of Maj. Jason Curtis, Thunderbird 5, rests along the cockpit of an F-16 Fighting Falcon Jan. 13, 2016, Nellis Air Force Base, Nev. Curtis, a solo pilot with the United States Air Force Thunderbirds, More
Staff Sgt. Madeline Davis, aircrew flight equipment technician, puts the Thunderbird patch on Bill Elliott, NASCAR Hall of Famer, before his familiarization flight, Feb. 16, 2016, at Daytona International Airpo More
Tech. Sgt. Andrew Junker, air transportation technician, speaks to students about his Air Force story, Feb. 17, 2016, at Spruce Creek High School, Port Orange, Fla. (U.S. Air Force Photo by Tech. Sgt. Christopher Boitz)
Maj. (Dr.) Chris Scheibler, Thunderbird 9, uses a signal mirror to communicate to the Diamond formation during a practice demonstration Feb. 29, 2016, Nellis Air Force Base, Nev. The signal mirror helps aircrew More
The Thunderbirds pilots take off from the runway during the Commander of Air Combat Command approval demonstration March 1, 2016, Nellis Air Force Base, Nev. The COMACC approval demonstration is a private showi More
Capt. Angelina Urbina, Thunderbird 10, signs autographs at the Thunder and Lightning Over Arizona show at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, Ariz., March 12, 2016. (U.S. Air Force Photo by Tech. Sgt. Christopher Boitz)
Tech Sgt. Stefan Zapata, avionics technician, connects the parachute to Graham Rahal's harness before his familiarization flight with the Thunderbirds at Luke Air Force Base, Ariz., March 31, 2016. Rahal is an More
Capt. Sara Harper, Thunderbird 12, briefs actor Josh Duhamel about the Thunderbirds mission before his familiarization flight at March Air Reserve Base, Calif., April 15, 2016. (U.S. Air Force Photo by Tech. Sg More
Staff Sgt. Aaron Dlutowski, aerospace ground equipment technician, sprints to chalk an F-16 Fighting Falcon after returning from a sortie at Joint Base Langley-Eustis, Va., April 22, 2016. The Thunderbirds head More
A Thunderbird F-16 Fighting Falcon flies a close formation with an F-35A Lightning II over Ft. Lauderdale, Fla., May 5, 2016. (U.S. Air Force photo/Tech. Sgt. Christopher Boitz)
Thunderbirds pilots perform the Diamond Loop maneuver during a practice show in preparation for the Fort Lauderdale Air Show, Ft. Lauderdale, Fla., May 6, 2016. (U.S. Air Force photo/Tech. Sgt. Christopher Boitz)
The Thunderbirds solo pilots perform the Calypso Pass during the Fort Lauderdale Air Show, Ft. Lauderdale, Fla., May 8, 2016. (U.S. Air Force photo/Tech. Sgt. Christopher Boitz)
Maj. Alex Turner, Thunderbird 6, speaks with a special guest during the Power in The Pines Open House & Airshow practice show, May 13, 2016, at Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, NJ. (U.S. Air Force Photo by Se More
Staff Sgt. Justin Beach, aircraft structural maintenance, applies the name of Marine Capt. Jeff Kuss, Blue Angel #6 Opposing Solo, to the front wheel well of a Thunderbirds F-16 Fighting Falcon at Nellis Air Fo More
The Thunderbirds pilots perform the Stinger Pass during the Ocean City Air Show at Ocean City, Maryland, June 19, 2016. (U.S. Air Force Photo by Tech. Sgt. Christopher Boitz)
Staff Sgt. Andrew Molina, Aircraft Structural Maintenance, puts his hearing protection on while performing the ground show demonstration during the the Warriors over the Wasatch practice air show at Hill Air Fo More
A U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds F-16 Fighting Falcon sits on the flight line in preparation for the the Warriors over the Wasatch air show at Hill Air Force Base, Utah, June 24, 2016. The Thunderbirds demonstrate More
The Thunderbirds demonstration pilots perform the Diamond formation over Great Salt Lake, Utah, during their return to Nellis Air Force Base, Nev., June 27, 2016. The Thunderbirds performed at the Warriors over More
The Thunderbirds pilots launch from the runway during a practice performance on August 26, 2016. The Thunderbirds performed at the Airshow and Warrior Expo at Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Wash., August 27-28. (U.S More
The Thunderbirds pilots fly over Mt. Rainier, Wash., during their return to Nellis Air Force Base, Nev., August 29, 2016. The Thunderbirds performed at the Airshow and Warrior Expo at Joint Base Lewis-McChord, More
The Thunderbirds pilots fly over West Point United States Military Academy, New York, Sept. 2, 2016. (U.S. Air Force Photo by Tech. Sgt. Christopher Boitz)
The United States Air Force Thunderbirds perform the flyover of Super Bowl LI in Houston, Texas, Feb. 5, 2017. (U.S. Air Force Photo by Tech. Sgt. Christopher Boitz)
Staff Sgt. Aaron Langley sets up the cockpit of a Thunderbirds F-16 at Nellis Air Force Base, Nev., Feb. 7, 2017. In honor of the United States Air Force's 70th Anniversary, the Thunderbirds will fly with the l More
Thunderbirds maintainers marshall in a Thunderbirds F-16C upon arrival at Daytona Beach, Fla., February 24, 2017. The Thunderbirds will be performing the flyover during the opening ceremonies of the Daytona 500 More
The United States Air Force Thunderbirds and Patrouille de France fly together over Death Valley, Calif., April 17, 2017. The Thunderbirds and Patrouille de France are two of the oldest aerial demonstration tea More
The Thunderbirds Diamond Pilots soar over Tyndall Air Force Base, Fla., during a practice show April 21, 2017. Air Combat Command kicked off its 70th Anniversary celebration at the Gulf Coast Salute Air Show. ( More
Maj. Alex Turner, Thunderbird 5, and Maj. Whit Collins, Thunderbird 6, perform the Reflection Pass during a practice show at Naval Air Station Pensacola, Fla., April 25, 2017. The Thunderbirds visited the U.S. More
The Thunderbirds perform the Delta Burst maneuver during the Scott Air Force Base 2017 Open House and Air Show, Scott AFB, Ill., June 11, 2017. The Thunderbirds mission is to recruit, retain, and inspire the ne More
The Thunderbirds fly by the Gateway Arch, Jefferson National Expansion Memorial in St. Louis, Mo., on their way back to Nellis Air Force Base, Nev., June 12, 2017. The Thunderbirds demonstrate the highest level More
Maj. Alex Turner, Thunderbird #5, and Maj. Whit Collins, Thunderbird #6, fly over England July 10, 2017. The U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds flew over several bases and landmarks in preparation for the 2017 Royal I More
The U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds receive aerial refueling from a U.S. Air Force KC-135 Stratotanker assigned to the 100th Air Refueling Wing, Royal Air Force Mildenhall, England en route to the practice fly by o More
An F-16 Fighting Falcon from Nellis Air Force Base, Nev., flies over the outskirts of Las Vegas, Nev., Nov. 9, 2017. The Fighting Falcon features a Vegas Strong paint scheme which pays tribute to those affected More
Staff Sgt. Luke Etter, an aerospace propulsion technician, inspects a Thunderbirds F-16 Fighting Falcon prior to take off during the Nellis Air Force Base Air and Space Expo, Nellis AFB, Nev., Nov. 12, 2017. Th More
Lt. Col. Kevin Walsh, Thunderbird 1 Commander/Leader, closes the canopy of a Thunderbirds F-16 Fighting Falcon at Nellis Air Force Base, Nev., during a training sortie Jan. 23, 2018. The Thunderbirds training s More
The Thunderbirds Diamond formation pilots perform the Bon Ton Roulle maneuver over the Nevada Test and Training Range during a training flight, Jan. 29, 2018. The Diamond formation exhibits the precision and sk More
Staff Sgt. Randy routes flex duct during the construction of Roy’s Flight Kitchen at an undisclosed location in Southwest Asia, April 8, 2015. The flex duct carries and routes air conditioning to keep facilitie More
Staff Sgt. Scott ensures a pair of aircrew laser eye protection (ALEP) glasses is free from scratches and holds a tinted reflection at an undisclosed location in Southwest Asia, April 15, 2015. ALEP’s protect e More
Senior Airman James is a fire team member assigned to the Expeditionary Security Forces Squadron at an undisclosed location in Southwest Asia. James is one of thousands of Security Forces Airmen who use Defende More
Senior Airman Raul cuts plywood on a table saw for a heating and ventilation duct system at an undisclosed location in Southwest Asia April 24, 2015. Raul is a structures journeyman assigned to the Expeditionar More
Staff Sgt. Michael reviews an inspection checklist for a KC-10 Extender at an undisclosed location in Southwest Asia May 12, 2015. Michael is a crew chief assigned to the Expeditionary Aircraft Maintenance Squa More
Airman 1st Class Arnaldo connects an R-12 refueling vehicle nozzle to a hydrant system to refuel a KC-10 Extender at an undisclosed location in Southwest Asia May 18, 2015. The R-12 refueling vehicle draws fuel More
Staff Sgt. Oren checks panels for damage during a pre-launch inspection on top of an F-15E Strike Eagle at an undisclosed location in Southwest Asia, May 31, 2015. Sgt. Oren is a dedicated crew chief assigned t More
Tech. Sgt.’s Jonathan, left, and Kermit, right, verify the local display of joint and coalition targets on a planned position indicator at an undisclosed location in Southwest Asia, June 29, 2015. The display i More
A U.S. Navy F/A-18F Super Hornet receives fuel from a Royal Australian Air Force KC-30A drogue line during a combat sortie over Iraq July 2, 2015. The RAAF KC-30A operates as part of the Australian Air Task Gro More
A crew chief performs prelaunch procedures on an F-22 Raptor at an undisclosed location in Southwest Asia, July 9, 2015. The F-22 is a fifth-generation aircraft and is designed to engage in air-to-air and air-t More
380th Expeditionary Security Forces Squadron team members search vehicles for contraband in the vehicle search area at an undisclosed location in Southwest Asia, July 13, 2015. (U.S. Air Force photo/Tech. Sgt. More
Airmen assigned to the 557th Expeditionary RED HORSE Squadron form the top of a concrete roof on a structure at an undisclosed location in Southwest Asia July 28, 2015. RED HORSE is a self-sustaining, mobile, h More
Senior Airman Dominique is an aerospace ground equipment mechanic assigned to the 380th Expeditionary Maintenance Squadron at an undisclosed location in Southwest Asia. As an AGE mechanic, Dominique is responsi More
To scan for defects, Staff Sgt. Logan uses a bolt hole eddy current probe to scan the inside of a fuse plug hole on a wheel at an undisclosed location in Southwest Asia, Sept. 15, 2015. Logan is the assistant n More
Senior Airman Timothy inspects the common airborne modem assembly on an RQ-4 Global Hawk under maintenance at an undisclosed location in Southwest Asia September 18, 2015. The assembly links imagery back to the More
Major Jason Curtis, Thunderbird 5, poses for a photo with his crew chiefs, Staff Sgts. Sean MacGibbon (left) and Aaron Langley (right) before his final flight with the team Jan. 13, 2016, Nellis Air Force Base, More
Staff Sgt. Madeline Davis, aircrew flight equipment technician, fits Bill Elliott, NASCAR Hall of Famer, for his helmet before his familiarization flight, Feb. 16, 2016, at Daytona International Airport, Dayton More
Thunderbird 8 Maj. Scott Petz, Advance Pilot/Narrator, speaks to students about the Thunderbird mission and opportunities in the United States Air Force Feb. 17, 2016, at Spruce Creek High School, Port Orange, More
The Thunderbirds Diamond formation performs the trail to diamond clover loop manuever during a practice demonstration Feb. 29, 2016, Nellis Air Force Base, Nev. (U.S. Air Force photo/Tech. Sgt. Christopher Boitz)
The Thunderbirds pilots perform the 5-Card Loop maneuver during the Commander of Air Combat Command approval demonstration March 1, 2016, Nellis Air Force Base, Nev. The COMACC approval demonstration is a priva More
Maj. Kevin Walsh, Thunderbird 7, signs autographs at the Thunder and Lightning Over Arizona show at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, Ariz., March 12, 2016. (U.S. Air Force Photo by Tech. Sgt. Christopher Boitz)
Staff Sgt. William Gibbs, tactical aircraft maintenance, performs preflight checks on an F-16 Fighting Falcon at Luke Air Force Base, Ariz., April 1, 2016. (U.S. Air Force Photo by Tech. Sgt. Christopher Boitz)
Thunderbirds cheer on Maj. Alexander Goldfien, Thunderbird 3, as he taxis to the runway during the March Air Reserve Base Airfest "Thunder Over the Empire" air show at March ARB, Calif.March Air Reserve Base, C More
Thunderbirds pilots fly over Ft. Lauderdale during a practice show in preparation for the Fort Lauderdale Air Show, May 6, 2016. (U.S. Air Force photo/Tech. Sgt. Christopher Boitz)
The Thunderbirds pilots perform the Diamond formation during the Fort Lauderdale Air Show, Ft. Lauderdale, Fla., May 8, 2016. (U.S. Air Force photo/Tech. Sgt. Christopher Boitz)
The name of Marine Capt. Jeff Kuss, Blue Angel #6 Opposing Solo, rests on the front wheel well of a Thunderbirds F-16 Fighting Falcon at Nellis Air Force Base, Nev., June 8, 2016. Kuss died June 2 in Smyrna, Te More
The Thunderbirds pilots perform High Bomb Burst during the Ocean City Air Show at Ocean City, Maryland, June 19, 2016. (U.S. Air Force Photo by Tech. Sgt. Christopher Boitz)
Lt. Col. Christopher Hammond, Thunderbird #1, puts his puts his helmet on during the the Warriors over the Wasatch practice air show at Hill Air Force Base, Utah, June 24, 2016. The Thunderbirds demonstrate the More
The Thunderbirds pilots perform the Delta Loop during a practice performance on August 26, 2016. The Thunderbirds performed at the Airshow and Warrior Expo at Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Wash., August 27-28. (U.S More
The Thunderbirds pilots fly over New York City, New York, Sept. 2, 2016. The Thunderbirds are performing at the 2016 New York Air Show in New Windsor, N.Y. Sept. 3-4.(U.S. Air Force Photo by Tech. Sgt. Christopher Boitz)
Staff Sgt. Todd Hughes checks the anti-ice detector during an intake inspection on a Thunderbirds F-16C at Daytona Beach, Fla., February 24, 2017. The Thunderbirds will be performing the flyover during the open More
Retired Air Force Col. and astronaut Buzz Aldrin, flies with the United States Air Force Thunderbirds, April 2, 2017 at Cape Canaveral, Fla. (U.S. Air Force Photo by Tech. Sgt. Christopher Boitz)
The Thunderbirds perform over Tyndall Air Force Base, Fla., during a practice show April 21, 2017. Air Combat Command kicked off its 70th Anniversary celebration at the Gulf Coast Salute Air Show. (U.S. Air For More
The Thunderbirds Delta formation flies over Kansas on their way back to Nellis Air Force Base, Nev., June 12, 2017. The Thunderbirds demonstrate the highest level of attention to detail and professionalism that More
The U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds fly behind a U.S. Air Force KC-135 Stratotanker assigned to the 100th Air Refueling Wing, Royal Air Force Mildenhall, England July 10, 2017. The U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds flew More
The U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds fly by the Eiffel Tower during a practice procession in Paris, France, July 11, 2017. The Thunderbirds, along with more than 90 aircraft, will be in attendance to help France cel More
An F-16 Fighting Falcon from Nellis Air Force Base, Nev., soars over the Las Vegas Strip Nov. 9, 2017. The Fighting Falcon features a Vegas Strong paint scheme which pays tribute to those affected by the Route More
Staff Sgt. Zachary Frye, tactical aircraft maintenance, check a Thunderbirds F-16 Fighting Falcon at Nellis Air Force Base, Nev., prior to a training sortie Jan. 23, 2018. Frye's responsibilities include perfor More
The Thunderbirds Diamond formation pilots transition during the Trail to Diamond Bottom Up Pass over the Nevada Test and Training Range during a training flight, Jan. 29, 2018. During the Thunderbirds training More
Tech. Sgt. Bernard creates wire supports for flex duct during the construction of Roy’s Flight Kitchen at an undisclosed location in Southwest Asia April 8, 2015. The flex duct carries and routes air conditioni More
Staff Sgt. Scott performs a visual inspection of monoculars at an undisclosed location in Southwest Asia, April 15, 2015. The monoculars use night vision which can assist pilots to view enemy ground fire and vi More