Michigan's newest Airmen prepare to perform the oath of enlistment during the Thunder Over Michigan Air Show, in Ypsilanti, Mich., Aug. 9, 2014. (U.S. Air Force photo/Tech. Sgt. Manuel J. Martinez)
Staff Sgt. John Mantanona, a nondestructive inspection specialist, cleans a Thunderbirds F-16 after the completion of a practice show at Waterloo, Iowa, Aug. 22, 2014. (U.S. Air Fore photo/Tech. Sgt. Manuel J. Martinez)
Thunderbirds Solo pilots perform the Calypso Pass maneuver during a practice show at Mountain Home Air Force Base, Idaho, Sept. 19, 2014. (U.S. Air Force photo/Tech. Sgt. Manuel J. Martinez)
Staff Sgt. Francisco Garrigas, Thunderbird 5 dedicated assistant crew chief, finishes an oil sample inspection of his assigned F-16 jet. Sgt. Garrigas is a nondestructive inspections specialist and his duties i More
Senior Airman Aaron Dlutoowski, an aerospace ground equipment specialist, refills a smoke oil drum on a Thunderbirds F-16 jet at Dobbins Air Reserve Base, Ga., Oct. 16, 2014. (U.S. Air Force photo/Tech. Sgt. Ma More
Staff Sgt. Christopher Collins, Thunderbird 6 dedicated crew chief, listens to a fellow co-worker during maintenance on a Thunderbirds F-16, in preparation for a practice show launch at Fort Worth, Texas, Oct. More
The Thunderbirds Diamond Formation performs a practice show in preparation for Aviation Nation Air Show, at Nellis Air Force Base, Nev., Nov. 6, 2014. (U.S. Air Force photo/Tech. Sgt. Manuel J. Martinez)
A retired service member poses for a portrait during the Aviation Nation Air Show, at Nellis Air Force Base, Nev., Nov. 9, 2014. (U.S. Air Force photo/Tech. Sgt. Manuel J. Martinez)
Lt. Col. Christopher Hammond, Thunderbird 1, prepares for engine start up prior to a training sortie, Nellis Air Force Base, Nev., Jan. 12, 2015. (U.S. Air Force photo/Tech. Sgt. Manuel J. Martinez)
Staff Sgt. Conrad Nelson and Staff Sgt. Blake Lehman get prepared for the day with pushups, prior to the Super Bowl XLIX practice flyover, Nellis Air Force Base, Nev., Jan. 31, 2015. (U.S. Air Force photo/Tech. More
Thunderbirds maintenance professionals prepare their aircraft for the commander of Air Combat Command Acceptance Show, at Nellis Air Force Base, Nev., March 3, 2015. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Manuel J More
Capt. Alexander Goldfein, Thunderbird 3, talks to fans at a recruiting booth at the Las Vegas Motor Speedway, March 7, 2015. (U.S. Air Force photo/Tech. Sgt. Manuel J. Martinez)
Maj. Joshua Boudreaux, Thunderbird 2, is greeted by a patient during hospital visit at the Viera Veterans Affairs Outpatient Clinic in Viera, Fla., March 13, 2015. (U.S. Air Force photo/Tech. Sgt. Manuel J. Mar More
Staff Sgt. Jean-Philipe Thomas, a client support administrator specialist, interacts with fans during the Thunder on the Bay Air Show, at Keesler Air Force Base, Miss., March 28, 2015. (U.S. Air Force photo by More
Staff Sgt. Christopher Collins, a tactical aircraft maintenance specialist, ensures the Thunderbirds aircraft are ready for a performance during the Gulf Coast Salute Air Show and Open House, at Tyndall Air For More
Tech Sgt. Justen Outlaw , a tactical aircraft maintenance specialist, performs preflight checks on a Thunderbird aircraft prior to takeoff for a media flight at Lakeland, Fla., April 24, 2015. (U.S. Air Force p More
U.S.. Air Force emergency medical technicians gear up for training scenarios during the EMT Rodeo Sept. 18, 2015, Melrose Air Force Range, N.M. Twenty-one teams of elite EMTs from 22 installations across the Ai More
Members of the 12th Special Operations Squadron set up equipment for an Expeditionary Launch and Recover Element operation test, Sept. 25, 2015, at Cannon Air Force Base, N.M. The exercise simulated deployment More
Cannon firefighters assigned to the 27th Special Operations Civil Engineering Squadron await the raising of the flag to half-staff during a ceremony dedicated to the fallen firefighters Oct. 4, 2015, at Cannon More
Command Sgt. Maj. William Thetford, U.S. Special Operations Command senior enlisted adviser, speaks with aircrew assigned to 524th Special Operations Squadron Jan. 7, 2016, during his visit to Cannon Air Force More
An AC-130W Stinger II assigned to the 73rd Special Operations Squadron circles training targets on Range 10 during a live-fire training mission, Feb. 3, 2016, Melrose Air Force Range, N.M. This was the first ti More
An adornment created to celebrate the night’s events serves as a dessert table during the Maintenance Professional of the Year banquet Feb. 26, 2016, at Cannon Air Force Base, N.M. The MPOY banquet is an annual More
Warrior task trainers of the Operational Contract Support Joint Exercise 2016 receive training to instruct students during the exercise, March 18, 2016, at Fort Bliss, Texas. The OCSJX-16 provides operational t More
Operational Contract Support Joint Exercise 2016 participants receive their individual equipment issue in preparation of upcoming exercise events March 20, 2016, at Fort Bliss, Texas. The OCSJX-16 provides oper More
Operational Contract Support Joint Exercise 2016 participants receive the academic portion of their tactical combat casualty care training during OCSJX-16, March 21, 2016, at Fort Bliss, Texas. The combat medic More
Air show spectators stand during the National Anthem as the Air Commandos on the High Plains Air show begins, May 29, 2016 at Cannon Air Force Base, N.M. The 2016 Cannon Air Show highlights the unique capabilit More
Master Sgt.Joseph Thayer a loadmaster assigned to the 9th Special Operations Squadron, Cannon Air Force Base, N.M., performs a pre-flight inspection of an MC-130J Commando II aircraft prior to a training missio More
Staff Sgt. Mark Mira, Thunderbird 8 dedicated crew chief, is one of two flying Thunderbirds crew chiefs and advances to show sites prior to the teams arrival along side with Maj. Michael Fisher, Thunderbird 8. More
Maj. Jason Curtis, Thunderbird 6, solo pilot handshakes with Staff Sgt. Francisco Garrigas prior to take off for a practice show at Waterloo, Iowa, Aug. 23, 2014. (U.S. Air Force photo/Tech. Sgt. Manuel J. Martinez)
Maj. Joshua Boudreaux, Thunderbird 2, interacts with Mountain Home High School students at Mountain Home, Idaho, Sept. 19, 2014. (U.S. Air Force photo/Tech. Sgt. Manuel J. Martinez)
Staff Sgt. Jessica Rivers, Thunderbird 4 dedicated assistant crew chief, cleans her assigned Thunderbirds F-16 jet after the arrival of the Thunderbirds Delta Formation pilots at Melbourne, Fla., Oct. 2, 2014. More
Thunderbirds maintenance professionals send off Thunderbirds Delta Formation pilots for a practice show, at Dobbins Air Reserve Base, Ga., Oct. 17, 2014. (U.S. Air Force photo/Tech. Sgt. Manuel J. Martinez)
Master Sgt. Christopher Huntington, an aircraft fuels system specialist, performs checks on Thunderbirds F-16s in preparation for a practice show launch, at Fort Worth, Texas, Oct. 23, 2014. (U.S. Air Force pho More
The Thunderbirds Diamond formation performs the Diamond Clover-Loop Opener during a practice show in preparation for the Aviation Nation Air Show, at Nellis Air Force Base, Nev., Nov. 7, 2014. (U.S. Air Force More
Capt. Nicholas Eberling, Thunderbird 6, prepares for engine start up prior to a Delta Formation training sortie, Nellis Air Force Base, Nev., Jan. 13, 2015. The training flight was the first Delta Formation fl More
Thunderbirds pilots step to their aircraft for a Super Bowl XLIX practice flyover, Nellis Air Force Base, Nev., Jan. 31, 2015. (U.S. Air Force photo/Tech. Sgt. Manuel J. Martinez)
Staff Sgt. Andrew Molina, Thunderbird 2 assistant dedicated crew chief, and fellow maintenance professionals perform a huddle prior to the start of the Commander of Air Combat Command Acceptance Air Show, at N More
Lt. Col Christopher Hammond, Thunderbird 1, and fellow Thunderbirds officers autograph posters for fans during the NASCAR Kobalt Tools 400 at the Las Vegas Motor Speedway, March 8, 2015. (U.S. Air Force photo/T More
Senior Airman Ariel Audet, a tactical aircraft maintenance specialist, poses for the camera simulating preflight checks performed by Thunderbirds dedicated crew chiefs at Patrick Air Force Base, Fla., March 13, More
Capt. Christopher Scheibler, Thunderbird 9, interacts with fans during the Thunder on the Bay Air Show, at Keesler Air Force Base, Miss., March 28, 2015. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Manuel J. Martinez)
Staff Sgt. Michael Radcliff, a tactical aircraft maintenance specialist, gets prepared for a performance during the Gulf Coast Salute Air Show and Open House, at Tyndall Air Force Base, Fla., April 11, 2015. (U More
The Thunder Diamond formation performs the Diamond Bottom Up Pass maneuver during a practice show at Lakeland, Fla., April 24, 2015. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Manuel J. Martinez)
Emergency medical technicians from Shaw Air Force Base, S.C., evacuate a gunshot wound patient during a scenario in the EMT Rodeo Sept. 18, 2015, Melrose Air Force Range, N.M. Twenty-one teams of elite EMTs fro More
Cannon firefighters assigned to the 27th Special Operations Civil Engineering Squadron, await the raising of the flag to half-staff during a ceremony dedicated to the fallen firefighters, Oct. 4, 2015, at Canno More
Command Sgt. Maj. William Thetford, U.S. Special Operations Command senior enlisted adviser, speaks with members of the 26th Special Tactics Squadron Jan. 7, 2016, during a visit to Cannon Air Force Base, N.M. More
Members of the 27th Special Operations Maintenance Group and their families react to a sound-off contest during the Maintenance Professional of the Year banquet Feb. 26, 2016, at Cannon Air Force Base, N.M. The More
Warrior trainers of the Operational Contract Support Joint Exercise 2016, receive roll-over training in preparation for them to instruct their students during the exercise, March 18, 2016, Fort Bliss, Texas. Th More
Operational Contract Support Joint Exercise 2016 participants receive their individual equipment issue in preparation of upcoming exercise events March 20, 2016, at Fort Bliss, Texas. OCSJX participants includ More
Staff Sgt. Adrian Steenbergh a loadmaster assigned to the 9th Special Operations Squadron, Cannon Air Force Base, N.M., performs a pre-flight inspection of an MC-130J Commando II aircraft prior to a training mi More
Admiring fans wait to get their posters autographed during a Thunderbirds meet and greet session at the Las Vegas Motor Speedway in Las Vegas, Nev., March 9, 2014. (U.S. Air Force photo/Tech. Sgt. Manuel J. Mar More
The Thunderbirds Delta Formation pilots flyover a crowd of 45,000 spectators during the Thunder Over Michigan Air Show, in Ypsilanti, Mich. Aug. 9, 2014. (U.S. Air Force photo/Tech. Sgt. Manuel J. Martinez)
Maj. Jason Curtis, Thunderbird 6, signals he is ready to for engine start prior to take off for a practice show at Waterloo, Iowa, Aug. 23, 2014. (U.S. Air Fore photo/Tech. Sgt. Manuel J. Martinez)
Thunderbirds Diamond Formation pilots perform the Trail to Diamond Cloverloop maneuver during a practice performance at Mountain Home Air Force Base, Idaho, Sept. 19, 2014. (U.S. Air Force photo/Tech. Sgt. Manu More
Staff Sgt. Sean MacGibbon, a tactical aircraft maintenance specialist, performs repairs on a Thunderbirds F-16 jet. (U.S. Air Force photo Tech Sgt. Manuel J. Martinez)
Thunderbirds maintenance professionals prepare the F-16s for a practice show, at Dobbins Air Reserve Base, Ga., Oct. 17, 2014. (U.S. Air Force photo/Tech. Sgt. Manuel J. Martinez)
Thunderbirds Solo pilots perform the Cross Over Break during a practice show at Forth Worth, Texas, Oct. 23, 2014. (U.S. Air Force photo/Tech. Sgt. Manuel J. Martinez)
The Thunderbirds Solo pilots perform an Opposing Knife Edge Pass during a practice show in preparation for Aviation Nation Air Show, at Nellis Air Force Base, Nev., Nov. 7, 2014. (U.S. Air Force photo/Tech. Sgt More
Lt. Col. Christopher Hammond, Thunderbird 1, cues his maintenance personnel prior to stepping to his aircraft for a training flight, Nellis Air Force Base, Nev., Jan. 13, 2015. (U.S. Air Force photo/Tech. Sgt. More
Thunderbirds maintenance professionals prepare their aircraft for the Super Bowl XLIX flyover, Nellis Air Force Base, Nev., Feb. 1, 2015. (U.S. Air Force photo/Tech. Sgt. Manuel J. Martinez)
Thunderbirds maintenance professionals end their huddle with a chant prior to the start of the commander of Air Combat Command Acceptance Air Show, at Nellis Air Force Base, Nev., March 3, 2015. (U.S. Air Forc More
Capt. Nicholas Eberling, Thunderbird 6, autographs a poster for a fans during the NASCAR Kobalt Tools 400 at the Las Vegas Motor Speedway, March 8, 2015. (U.S. Air Force photo/Tech. Sgt. Manuel J. Martinez, Released)
Staff Sgt. Alvin Felder and Staff Sgt. Andrew Molina ensures a Thunderbirds jet is show ready at Patrick Air Force Base, Fla., March 13, 2015. Sgt. Felder is a tactical aircraft maintenance specialist and Sgt. More
Fans send off the Thunderbirds pilots as they taxi for take off for an aerial performance during the Thunder on the Bay Air Show, at Keesler Air Force Base, Miss., March 28, 2015. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. More
Tech. Sgt. McGarry Lansiquot, a aircrew egress systems specialist, waits for the cue to start the ground ceremony portion of the Thunderbirds performance during the Gulf Coast Salute Air Show and Open House, at More
The Thunder Delta formation performs the Delta Bottom Up Pass maneuver during a practice show at Lakeland, Fla., April 24, 2015. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Manuel J. Martinez)
A member of the 12th Special Operations Squadron set up equipment for an Expeditionary Launch and Recover Element operation test, Sept. 25, 2015, at Cannon Air Force Base, N.M. The exercise simulated deployment More
Cannon firefighters assigned to the 27th Special Operations Civil Engineering Squadron salute as the U.S. flag is raised to half-staff during a ceremony dedicated to the fallen firefighters Oct. 4, 2015, at Can More
Aircrew members assigned to the 20th Special Operations Squadron prepare to land a CV-22 Osprey Jan. 7, 2016, at Melrose Air Force Range, N.M. The aircraft landed to pick up Command Sgt. Maj. William Thetford, More
Rounds fired from an AC-130W Stinger II assigned to the 73rd Special Operations Squadron, impact Range 10 during a live-fire training mission, Feb. 3, 2016, Melrose Air Force Range, N.M. This marked the first u More
Maintenance leadership calls out to their teammates during a sound-off among the various squadrons in the 27th Special Operations Maintenance Group at the Maintenance Professional of the Year banquet Feb. 26, 2 More
Warrior task trainers of the Operational Contract Support Joint Exercise 2016, receive roll-over training in preparation for them to instruct their students during the OCSJX-16 exercise, March 18, 2016, at For More
Tech. Sgt. Kevin Shafer, a contract specialist assigned to Hill Air Force Base, receives his individual gear during the preparation stage of the Operational Contract Support Joint Exercise 2016 on March 20, 201 More
Operational Contract Support Joint Exercise 2016 participants wait to start the hands-on portion of tactical combat casualty care training during OCSJX-16, March 21, 2016, at Fort Bliss, Texas. The combat medic More
Thunderbirds maintenance professionals perform a ground ceremony during the 2016 Cannon Air show, May 28, 2016 at Cannon Air Force Base, N.M. The 2016 Cannon Air Show highlights the unique capabilities and qual More
Admiring fans wait to get their posters signed by Thunderbirds team members during a meet and greet session at the Las Vegas Motor Speedway. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Manuel J. Martinez/Released)
Maj. Jason Curtis, Thunderbird 6, high fives a young fan during an autograph session at the Thunder Over Michigan Air Show, in Ypsilanti, Mich. Aug. 9, 2014. (U.S. Air Force photo/Tech. Sgt. Manuel J. Martinez)
Maj. Jason Curtis, Thunderbird 6, prepares to taxi for take off for a practice show at Waterloo, Iowa, Aug. 22, 2014. (U.S. Air Fore photo/Tech. Sgt. Manuel J. Martinez)
Thunderbirds Solo pilots perform the Crossover Break Hit maneuver during a practice show at Mountain Home Air Force Base, Idaho, Sept. 19, 2014. (U.S. Air Force photo/Tech. Sgt. Manuel J. Martinez)
The Thunderbirds Diamond Formation pilots began their aerial demonstration routine with the Diamond Opener during a practice show at Melbourne, Fla., Oct. 3, 2014. (U.S. Air Force photo Tech Sgt. Manuel J. Martinez)
Thunderbirds Delta Formation pilots began start their aerial performance with the Delta Opener during the Wings Over North Georgia Air Show, at Rome, Ga., Oct. 18, 2014. (U.S. Air Force photo/Tech. Sgt. Manuel More
Maj. Joshua Boudreaux, Thunderbird 2, speaks with Brewer High School students at Forth Worth, Texas, Oct. 24, 2014. (U.S. Air Force photo/Tech. Sgt. Manuel J. Martinez)
Maj. Jason Curtis, Thunderbird 6 performs a Sneak Pass during a practice show in preparation for Aviation Nation Air Show, at Nellis Air Force Base, Nev., Nov. 7, 2014. (U.S. Air Force photo/Tech. Sgt. Manuel J More
Lt. Col. Christopher Hammond, Thunderbird 1, discuss topics for flight brief, prior to a training sortie, Nellis Air Force Base, Nev., Jan. 13, 2015. (U.S. Air Force photo/Tech. Sgt. Manuel J. Martinez)
Thunderbirds team members share treats for the Super Bowl XLIX get together at the Thunderbirds hangar, Nellis Air Force Base, Nev., Feb. 1, 2015. The event is to celebrate their hard work with making the flyov More
Lt. Col. Christopher Hammond, Thunderbird 1, signals the Delta formation is ready for engine start during the commander of Air Combat Command Acceptance Air Show, at Nellis Air Force Base, Nev., March 3, 2015. More
A Thunderbirds fan shows off his autographed poster during the Nascar Kobalt Tools 400 at the Las Vegas Motor Speedway, March 8, 2015. (U.S. Air Force photo/Tech. Sgt. Manuel J. Martinez, Released)
Capt. Alexander Goldfein, Thunderbird 3, prepares to close his canopy prior to takeoff for a practice airshow at Patrick Air Force Base, Fla., March 13, 2015. Prior to airshows the team will perform a practice More
The Thunderbirds Diamond formation performs the Bon Ton Roulle maneuver during the Thunder on the Bay Air Show, at Keesler Air Force Base, Miss., March 28, 2015. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Manuel J. Martinez)
Thunderbirds maintenance professionals wait for the cue to start the ground ceremony portion of the Thunderbirds performance during the Gulf Coast Salute Air Show and Open House, at Tyndall Air Force Base, Fla. More
Staff Jason Festog, an aircraft fuels systems specialist, renders salute during the national anthem to start the Sun 'n Fun International fly-in and Expo Air Show at Lakeland, Fla., April 25, 2015. (U.S. Air Fo More
Emergency medical technicians from Shaw Air Force Base, S.C., respond to a gunshot wound patient during a scenario in the EMT Rodeo Sept. 18, 2015, Melrose Air Force Range, N.M. Twenty-one teams of elite EMTs f More
Members of the 12th Special Operations Squadron assemble remote pilot station equipment during an Expeditionary Launch and Recover Element operation test, Sept. 25, 2015, at Cannon Air Force Base, N.M. The exer More
A Cannon firefighter assigned to the 27th Special Operations Civil Engineering Squadron rings a symbolic bell during a ceremony dedicated to the fallen firefighters Oct. 4, 2015, at Cannon Air Force Base, N.M. More