The USAF Air Demonstration Squadron, better known as the Thunderbirds, was created in 1953 and is the third oldest formal flying aerobatic team in the world. The squadron’s name is taken from the legendary creature that appears in the mythologies of several indigenous North American cultures. The squadron traces its origins back to the organization of the 30th Aero Squadron, formed at Kelly Field, Texas on June 13, 1917. During its operational history, the 30th served in World War I as a training unit in France and in World War II as a B-29 Superfortress squadron, being awarded nine Presidential Unit Citations. Present-day USAF Thunderbirds carry the lineage, history and honor of the 30th on active duty. Since 1974, the Thunderbirds have been a component of the 57th Wing at Nellis AFB and have flown in front of more than 300 million people. In addition to their air demonstration responsibilities, the Thunderbirds are part of the USAF combat force and, if required, can be rapidly integrated into an operational fighter unit.

Air Force Thunderbird personnel cheer on their jets as they taxi out for the 2020 London SkyDrive Air Show in Canada Sep. 12, 2020, Selfridge Air National Guard Base, Mich. The Air Force Thunderbirds aerial demonstration team performed alongside the F-16 Viper Demo Team, F-35 Lightning, the F-22 Raptor, and the A-10 Thunderbolt II demonstration teams in London, Ontario, Canada. (U.S. Air Force photo by Capt. Kip Sumner)

The U.S. Air Force F-35A Lightning ll Demo team performed over London, Ont. at the London Airshow-SkyDrive 2020, Sept. 12-13th. The show featured all of Air Combat Command's single-ship demonstration teams, including the A-10 Thunderbolt, F-22 Raptor, and F-16 Viper demonstration teams.

Maj. Michelle "Mace" Curran, United States Air Force Air Demonstration Squadron "Thunderbirds" Lead Solo pilot, parks her F-16C Fighting Falcon fighter jet at Wallops Flight Facility in Wallops Island, Virginia, Aug. 14, 2020. The team performed their first air show of the 2020 season in Ocean City, Maryland. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Andrew D. Sarver)

A United States Air Force Air Demonstration Squadron "Thunderbirds" crew chief performs post-flight procedures at Wallops Flight Facility in Wallops Island, Virginia, Aug. 14, 2020. The team just finished performing their first air show of the 2020 season in Ocean City, Maryland. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Andrew D. Sarver)

Maj. Zane "Strobe" Taylor, United States Air Force Air Demonstration Squadron "Thunderbirds" Slot pilot, flies over Indianapolis Motor Speedway for the opening ceremonies of the 104th Indy 500 in Indianapolis, Indiana, Aug. 23, 2020. This was the first time the Thunderbirds performed the opening ceremonies for the Indy 500. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Andrew D. Sarver)

The United States Air Force Air Demonstration Squadron "Thunderbirds" fly over Indianapolis Motor Speedway for the opening ceremonies of the 104th Indy 500 in Indianapolis, Indiana, Aug. 22, 2020. This was the first time the Thunderbirds performed the opening ceremonies for the Indy 500. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Andrew D. Sarver)

The United States Air Force Air Demonstration Squadron "Thunderbirds" fly over Indianapolis Motor Speedway for the opening ceremonies of the 104th Indy 500 in Indianapolis, Indiana, Aug. 22, 2020. This was the first time the Thunderbirds performed the opening ceremonies for the Indy 500. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Andrew D. Sarver)

Maj. Jason "Flack" Markzon, United States Air Force Air Demonstration Squadron "Thunderbirds" Advance Pilot and Narrator, prepares to take off for a familiarization flight with IndyCar driver, Ed Carpenter, in Indianapolis, Indiana, Aug. 20, 2020. Carpenter flew with the team before racing the Space Force IndyCar in the 104th Indy 500. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Andrew D. Sarver)

Maj. Jason "Flack" Markzon, United States Air Force Air Demonstration Squadron "Thunderbirds" Advance Pilot and Narrator, prepares to take off for a familiarization flight with IndyCar driver, Ed Carpenter, in Indianapolis, Indiana, Aug. 20, 2020. Carpenter flew with the team before racing the Space Force IndyCar in the 104th Indy 500. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Andrew D. Sarver)