This graphic was created for Thanksgiving on social media Nov. 26, 2020, by the United States Air Force Air Demonstration Squadron, "Thunderbirds". The illustration, consisting of the delta burst over a static display that mimicked a turkey, was used as a prompt for viewers to share what they were thankful for. (U.S. Air Force photo illustration by Staff Sgt. Andrew D. Sarver)
Staff. Sgt. Xavier Knapp, United States Air Force Air Demonstration Squadron “Thunderbirds” dedicated crew chief, wipes down the side of an F-16C Fighting Falcon fighter jet at Nellis Air Force Base, Nevada, November 6, 2020. After every flight, maintenance teams will wipe down and perform various checks on their assigned jets. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Laurel M. Richards)
FeFe Handy, founder and president of Page Turners Make Great Learners, tries on a helmet during a fitting at Dobbins Air Reserve Base, Ga., Oct. 23, 2020. Handy flew with the Thunderbirds as a Hometown Hero, a program where exceptional community members are recognized and given the opportunity to fly with the Thunderbirds. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Kendra Ransum)
The U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds perform a 6-ship formation under a KC-10 Extender, Oct. 22, 2020, over Oklahoma. The KC-10 from Travis Air Force Base, California, offloaded nearly 40,000 pounds of fuel to the Thunderbird jets allowing them to accomplish their mission. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Jonathon Carnell)
This graphic was created for social media on Sept. 29, 2020, to support the United States Air Force Air Demonstration Squadron's mission to recruit, retain, and inspire the next generation of Airmen. It is a reference to the loading screen of a 2018 video game titled, "Among Us" which had hit its peak popularity around the same time of the creation of the graphic. (U.S. Air Force photo illustration by Staff Sgt. Andrew D. Sarver)
Tech. Sgt. Anthony Tressler, United States Air Force Air Demonstration Squadron “Thunderbirds” avionics technician, wipes down the side of an F-16C Fighting Falcon fighter jet at Nellis Air Force Base, Nevada, November 9, 2020. After every flight, maintenance teams will wipe down and perform various checks on their assigned jets. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Laurel M. Richards)
Staff. Sgt. Melvin Laxamana, United States Air Force Air Demonstration Squadron “Thunderbirds” dedicated crew chief, wipes the canopy of an F-16C Fighting Falcon fighter jet at Nellis Air Force Base, Nevada, November 6, 2020. After every flight, maintenance teams will wipe down and perform various checks on their assigned jets. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Laurel M. Richards)
FeFe Handy, founder and president of Page Turners Make Great Learners, looks down at her flight suit during a fitting at Dobbins Air Reserve Base, Ga., Oct. 23, 2020. Handy flew with the Thunderbirds as a Hometown Hero, a program where exceptional community members are recognized and given the opportunity to fly with the Thunderbirds. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Kendra Ransum)
The U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds perform a 6-ship formation under a KC-10 Extender, Oct. 22, 2020, over Oklahoma. The KC-10 from Travis Air Force Base, California, offloaded nearly 40,000 pounds of fuel to the Thunderbirds allowing them to accomplish their mission. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Jonathon Carnell)
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.
Maintainers assigned to the United States Air Force Air Demonstration Squadron “Thunderbirds” use various cleaning solutions to clean the F-16C Fighting Falcon fighter jet at Nellis Air Force Base, Nevada, November 9, 2020. After every flight, maintenance teams will wipe down and perform various checks on their assigned jets. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Laurel M. Richards)
A U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds F-16 Fighting Falcon takes off at Dobbins Air Reserve Base, Ga., Oct. 23, 2020. FeFe Handy, founder and president of Page Turners Make Great Learners, flew with the Thunderbirds as a Hometown Hero, a program where exceptional community members are recognized and given the opportunity to fly with the Thunderbirds. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Kendra Ransum)
KC-10 Extenders sit on the flight line at Travis Air Force Base, California, Oct. 22, 2020. KC-10 Extenders perform aerial refueling to enhance rapid global mobility. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Jonathon Carnell)
A U.S. Air Force Thunderbird descends from a KC-10 Extender, Oct. 22, 2020, over Oklahoma. The KC-10 from Travis Air Force Base, California, offloaded nearly 40,000 pounds of fuel to the Thunderbirds allowing them to accomplish their mission. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Jonathon Carnell)
F-35A Lightning II Demo Team Performs at New York International Air Show Capt. Kristin “Beo” Wolfe, commander of the United States Air Force F-35A Lightning II Demonstration Team, performs a high-speed pass over the New York International Air show in New Windsor, NY Aug. 30, 2020. The F-35A is the U.S. Air Force’s latest fifth-generation fighter. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Laurel Richards)
Maintainers assigned to the United States Air Force Air Demonstration Squadron “Thunderbirds” use various cleaning solutions to clean the F-16C Fighting Falcon fighter jet at Nellis Air Force Base, Nevada, November 9, 2020. After every flight, maintenance teams will wipe down and perform various checks on their assigned jets. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Laurel M. Richards)
A U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds F-16 Fighting Falcon taxies at Dobbins Air Reserve Base, Ga., Oct. 23, 2020. FeFe Handy, founder and president of Page Turners Make Great Learners, flew with the Thunderbirds as a Hometown Hero, a program where exceptional community members are recognized and given the opportunity to fly with the Thunderbirds. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Kendra Ransum)
U.S. Air Force Tech. Sgt. Michael Arnold, 9th Air Refueling Squadron flight engineer, inspects a KC-10 Extender Oct. 22, 2020, at Travis Air Force Base, California. Flight engineers follow a preflight checklist prior to any mission. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Jonathon Carnell)
A U.S. Air Force Thunderbird approaches a KC-10 Extender, Oct. 22, 2020, over Oklahoma. The KC-10 from Travis Air Force Base, California, offloaded nearly 40,000 pounds of fuel to the Thunderbirds allowing them to accomplish their mission. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Jonathon Carnell)
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)
Staff. Sgt. Melvin Laxamana and Staff Sgt. Nathan Costello, United States Air Force Air Demonstration Squadron “Thunderbirds” aircraft maintainers, wipe down the side of an F-16C Fighting Falcon fighter jet at Nellis Air Force Base, Nevada, November 6, 2020. After every flight, maintenance teams will wipe down and perform various checks on their assigned jets. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Laurel M. Richards)
FeFe Handy, founder and president of Page Turners Make Great Learners, poses for a photo with Maj. Jason Markzon, Thunderbirds advance pilot and narrator, shortly before taking off at Dobbins Air Reserve Base, Ga., Oct. 23, 2020. Handy flew with the Thunderbirds as a Hometown Hero, a program where exceptional community members are recognized and given the opportunity to fly with the Thunderbirds. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Kendra Ransum)
A KC-10 Extender sits on the flight line at Travis Air Force Base, California, Oct. 22, 2020. U.S. Airmen from the 9th Air Refueling Squadron were preparing the aircraft for aerial refueling of the U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds over Oklahoma. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Jonathon Carnell)
A U.S. Air Force Thunderbird receives fuel from a KC-10 Extender, Oct. 22, 2020, over Oklahoma. The KC-10 from Travis Air Force Base, California, offloaded nearly 40,000 pounds of fuel to the Thunderbirds allowing them to accomplish their mission. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Jonathon Carnell)
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)
