The season lasts from March to November, with the winter months used to train new members.

The entire show, including ground and air, runs about an hour and fifteen minutes. The pilots perform approximately 30 maneuvers in a demonstration. The four-aircraft diamond formation demonstrates the training and precision of Air Force pilots, while the solo aircraft highlight the maximum capabilities of the F-16 Fighting Falcon. The Thunderbirds squadron is an Air Combat Command unit composed of eight pilots (including six demonstration pilots), four support officers, three civilians and more than 130 enlisted personnel performing in 25 career fields.Ī Thunderbirds air demonstration is a mix of formation flying and solo routines. To represent the United States and its armed forces to foreign nations and to project international goodwill To support Air Force community relations and people-to-people programs To strengthen morale and esprit de corps among Air Force members To reinforce public confidence in the Air Force and to demonstrate to the public the professional competence of Air Force members To support Air Force recruiting and retention programs

The squadron exhibits the professional qualities the Air Force develops in the people who fly, maintain and support these aircraft. Air Force Air Demonstration Squadron, the Thunderbirds, performs precision aerial maneuvers demonstrating the capabilities of Air Force high performance aircraft to people throughout the world.

Thunder birds