Thunderbirds maintainers marshall in a Thunderbirds
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
Staff Sgt. Madeline Davis, aircrew flight equipment
Staff Sgt. Madeline Davis, aircrew flight equipment technician, fits up Chase Elliott, NASCAR driver, before his familiarization flight, Feb. 16, 2016, at Daytona International Airport, Daytona Beach, Fla. (U.S... More
The Thunderbirds Delta Formation pilots start their
The Thunderbirds Delta Formation pilots start their aerial performance with the Delta Opener during the Wings and Waves Air Show at Daytona Beach, Fla., Oct. 11, 2014. (U.S. Air Force photo Tech. Sgt. Manuel J. Martinez)
(Left to right) Maj. Lucas Buckley, Maj. Jason Curtis
(Left to right) Maj. Lucas Buckley, Maj. Jason Curtis and Lt. Col. Christopher Hammond, speak to fans about the Thunderbirds' mission during an interview at the Daytona International Speedway Feb. 20, 2015. (U.... More
Maj. Blaine Jones, Thunderbird 5, performs a Max Turn
Maj. Blaine Jones, Thunderbird 5, performs a Max Turn maneuver during a practice show at Daytona Beach, Fla., Oct. 10, 2014. (U.S. Air Force photo Tech. Sgt. Manuel J. Martinez)
Chase Elliott, NASCAR driver, prepares for his
Chase Elliott, NASCAR driver, prepares for his familiarization flight, Feb. 16, 2016, at Daytona International Airport, Daytona Beach, Fla. (U.S. Air Force Photo by Tech. Sgt. Christopher Boitz)
Maj. Blaine Jones, Thunderbird 5, performs the High
Maj. Blaine Jones, Thunderbird 5, performs the High Alpha Pass during the Wings and Waves Air Show at Daytona Beach, Fla., Oct. 12, 2014. (U.S. Air Force photo Tech. Sgt. Manuel J. Martinez)
Thunderbird 8 Maj. Scott Petz, Advance Pilot/Narrator,
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
Bill Elliott, NASCAR Hall of Famer, gets strapped in
Bill Elliott, NASCAR Hall of Famer, gets strapped in to the back seat of an F-16 Fighting Falcon by Tech. Sgt. Christopher Audet, tactical aircraft maintenance technician, before his familiarization flight, Feb... More
The Thunderbirds Delta Formation flies over the Daytona
The Thunderbirds Delta Formation flies over the Daytona International Speedway during the opening ceremony Feb. 22, 2015, in Daytona Beach, Fla. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Jason Couillard)
The Thunderbirds Delta Formation flies over the Daytona
The Thunderbirds Delta Formation flies over the Daytona International Speedway during the Daytona 500 flyover practice Feb. 21, 2015, in Daytona Beach, Fla. (U.S Air Force photo by Senior Airman Jason Couillard)
Maj. Scott Pets, Thunderbird 8, and Chase Elliott,
Maj. Scott Pets, Thunderbird 8, and Chase Elliott, NASCAR driver, take off for Elliott's familiarization flight, Feb. 16, 2016, at Daytona International Airport, Daytona Beach, Fla. (U.S. Air Force Photo by Sen... More
Maj. Lucas Buckley, Thunderbird 11, and Maj. Jason
Maj. Lucas Buckley, Thunderbird 11, and Maj. Jason Curtis, Thunderbird 5, speak to fans about the Thunderbirds mission during an interview at the Daytona International Speedway Feb. 20, 2015. (U.S. Air Force Ph... More
Thunderbirds pilots perform the Five Card Loop during
Thunderbirds pilots perform the Five Card Loop during a practice show at Daytona Beach, Fla., Oct. 9, 2014. (U.S. Air Force photo Tech. Sgt. Manuel J. Martinez)
Maj. Jason Curtis, Thunderbird 6, shares his Air Force
Maj. Jason Curtis, Thunderbird 6, shares his Air Force story with Atlantic High School students during a school visit at Daytona Beach, Fla., Oct. 10, 2014. (U.S. Air Force photo Staff. Sgt. Darlene Seltmann)
Thunderbirds pilots perform the Line Break Loop during
Thunderbirds pilots perform the Line Break Loop during a practice show at Daytona Beach, Fla., Oct. 10, 2014. (U.S. Air Force photo Tech. Sgt. Manuel J. Martinez)
Thunderbirds pilots perform the Arrowhead Loop during
Thunderbirds pilots perform the Arrowhead Loop during the Wings and Waves Air Show at Daytona Beach, Fla., Oct. 12, 2014. (U.S. Air Force photo Tech. Sgt. Manuel J. Martinez)
Thunderbird 8 Maj. Scott Petz, Advance Pilot/Narrator,
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 Delta Formation flies over the Daytona
The Thunderbirds Delta Formation flies over the Daytona International Speedway during a practice flight Feb. 21, 2015, in Daytona Beach Fla. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Jason Couillard)
Lt. Col. Christopher Hammond, Thunderbird 1, greets
Lt. Col. Christopher Hammond, Thunderbird 1, greets fans during an autograph session at the Daytona International Speedway Feb. 22, 2015, in Daytona Beach, Fla. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Jason Couillard)
Capt. Christopher Scheibler, Thunderbird 9, speaks
Capt. Christopher Scheibler, Thunderbird 9, speaks to fans during a recruiting boots visit at the Daytona International Speedway Feb. 21, 2015, in Daytona Beach, Fla. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Jaso... More
Staff Sgt. Todd Hughes checks the anti-ice detector
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
Bill Elliott, NASCAR Hall of Famer, and Chase Elliott,
Bill Elliott, NASCAR Hall of Famer, and Chase Elliott, NASCAR driver, pose for a photo with Thunderbird team members after their familiarization flights, Feb. 16, 2016, at Daytona International Airport, Daytona... More
Staff Sgt. Conrad Nelson, speaks to students about
Staff Sgt. Conrad Nelson, speaks to students about his experiences in the Air Force, Feb. 17, 2016, at Spruce Creek High School, Port Orange, Fla. (U.S. Air Force Photo by Senior Airman Jason Couillard)
Maj. Jason Curtis, Thunderbird 5, signs autographs
Maj. Jason Curtis, Thunderbird 5, signs autographs at the Daytona International Speedway before the start of the Daytona 500 Feb. 22, 2015, in Daytona Beach, Fla. (U.S. Air Force Photo by Senior Airman Jason Couillard)
Chase Elliott, NASCAR driver, prepares to taxi to the
Chase Elliott, NASCAR driver, prepares to taxi to the runway before his familiarization flight, Feb. 16, 2016, at Daytona International Airport, Daytona Beach, Fla. (U.S. Air Force Photo by Senior Airman Jason Couillard)
Staff Sgt. Conrad Nelson, tactical aircraft maintenance
Staff Sgt. Conrad Nelson, tactical aircraft maintenance technician, and Senior Airman Ezzidin Zafar preform pre-flight checks before Chase Elliott, NASCAR driver, taxis to the runway for his familiarization fli... More
Staff Sgt. Madeline Davis, aircrew flight equipment
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
Capt. Sara Harper, Thunderbird 12, speaks to students
Capt. Sara Harper, Thunderbird 12, speaks to students about her Air Force story, Feb. 17, 2016, at Spruce Creek High School, Port Orange, Fla. (U.S. Air Force Photo by Senior Airman Jason Couillard)
Staff Sgt. Madeline Davis, aircrew flight equipment
Staff Sgt. Madeline Davis, aircrew flight equipment technician, greets Chase Elliott, NASCAR driver, before his familiarization flight, Feb. 16, 2016, at Daytona International Airport, Daytona Beach, Fla. (U.S.... More
Maj. Joshua Wild, Thunderbird 10, and Capt. Nick Eberling,
Maj. Joshua Wild, Thunderbird 10, and Capt. Nick Eberling, Thunderbird 6, are interviewed by ESPN Radio - Nashville Feb. 20, 2015 at the Daytona International Speedway. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Ja... More
Maj. Scott Pets, Thunderbird 8, and Chase Elliott,
Maj. Scott Pets, Thunderbird 8, and Chase Elliott, NASCAR driver, wave to Airmen on the ground before Elliott's familiarization flight, Feb. 16, 2016, at Daytona International Airport, Daytona Beach, Fla. (U.S.... More
Staff Sgt. Madeline Davis, aircrew flight equipment
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
Bill Elliott, NASCAR Hall of Famer, gives a "thumbs
Bill Elliott, NASCAR Hall of Famer, gives a "thumbs up" before his familiarization flight, Feb. 16, 2016, at Daytona International Airport, Daytona Beach, Fla. (U.S. Air Force Photo by Tech. Sgt. Christopher Boitz)
The Thunderbirds Delta Formation flies over the Daytona
The Thunderbirds Delta Formation flies over the Daytona International Speedway during the Daytona 500 opening ceremony Feb. 22, 2015, in Daytona Beach, Fla. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Jason Couillard)
Thunderbirds officers sign the start/finish line of
Thunderbirds officers sign the start/finish line of the Daytona International Speedway before the Daytona 500 Feb. 22, 2015, in Daytona Beach, Fla. (U.S. Air Force Photo by Senior Airman Jason Couillard)
The Thunderbirds Delta Formation pilots perform the
The Thunderbirds Delta Formation pilots perform the Delta Opener during the Wings and Waves Air Show at Daytona Beach, Fla., Oct. 12, 2014. (U.S. Air Force photo Tech. Sgt. Manuel J. Martinez)
Chase Elliott, NASCAR driver, checks out the cockpit
Chase Elliott, NASCAR driver, checks out the cockpit of an F-16 Fighting Falcon before his familiarization flight, Feb. 16, 2016, at Daytona International Airport, Daytona Beach, Fla. (U.S. Air Force Photo by S... More
Tech. Sgt. Andrew Junker, air transportation technician,
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)
Staff Sgt. Madeline Davis, aircrew flight equipment
Staff Sgt. Madeline Davis, aircrew flight equipment technician, fits Bill Elliott, NASCAR Hall of Famer, for his helmet and oxygen mask before his familiarization flight, Feb. 16, 2016, at Daytona International... More
Thunderbird 8 Maj. Scott Petz, Advance Pilot/Narrator,
Thunderbird 8 Maj. Scott Petz, Advance Pilot/Narrator, and Staff Sgt. Conrad Nelson, tactical aircraft maintenance technician, show students some of the equipment the Thunderbirds use during demonstrations Feb.... More
The Thunderbirds Solo Pilots perform the Opposing Knife
The Thunderbirds Solo Pilots perform the Opposing Knife Edge-Hit during a practice show at Daytona Beach, Fla., Oct. 9, 2014. (U.S. Air Force photo Tech. Sgt. Manuel J. Martinez)
Maj. Tyler Ellison, Thunderbird 7, listens to radio
Maj. Tyler Ellison, Thunderbird 7, listens to radio feedback from Lt. Col. Christopher Hammond, Thunderbird 1, during the Daytona 500 flyover practice in Daytona Beach, Fla., Feb. 21, 2015. (U.S. Air Force phot... More
The Thunderbirds Delta Formation pilots start their
The Thunderbirds Delta Formation pilots start their aerial performance with the Delta Opener during a practice show at Daytona Beach, Fla., Oct. 9, 2014. (U.S. Air Force photo Tech. Sgt. Manuel J. Martinez)
Maj. (Dr.) Chris Scheibler, Thunderbird 9, briefs Bill
Maj. (Dr.) Chris Scheibler, Thunderbird 9, briefs Bill Elliott, NASCAR Hall of Famer, and Chase Elliott, NASCAR driver, on breathing techniques and physiological effects of flying Feb. 16, 2016, at Daytona Inte... More
Students at Spruce Creek High School watch a video
Students at Spruce Creek High School watch a video detailing aspects of the Thunderbirds mission, Feb. 17, 2016, at Port Orange, Fla. (U.S. Air Force Photo by Senior Airman Jason Couillard)