The United States Air Force Thunderbirds

Thunderbirds, the official name of the U.S. Air Force's Air Demonstration Squadron, perform at air shows and other events throughout the United States and around the world. The Thunderbirds are assigned to the 57th Wing and are based at Nellis Air Force Base, Nevada. Created on June 1, 1953, the Thunderbirds are the second-oldest American Flight Demonstration Team and the third-oldest in the world. The Thunderbirds' mission back in 1953 was to display to the American public the safety, reliability, and maneuverability of jet-engine aircraft, which were relatively new at the time. 

 The Thunderbirds have performed in all 50 states and many countries in thousands of formation-flying demonstrations, serving as a recruiting tool and proudly representing goodwill for the U.S. Air Force. The squadron's name and iconic paint scheme are taken from the legendary creature that appears in the mythologies of several Native North American cultures. The squadron’s mission is to plan and present precision aerial maneuvers to exhibit the capabilities of modern, high-performance aircraft and the high degree of professional skill required to operate those aircraft. 

Millions of people have witnessed the Thunderbirds demonstrations, and in turn, they’ve seen the pride, professionalism, and dedication of hundreds of thousands of Airmen serving at home and abroad. Each year brings another opportunity for the team to represent those who deserve the most credit: the everyday, hard-working Airmen voluntarily serving America and defending freedom.

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