The United States Air Force Air Demonstration Squadron, known as the Thunderbirds, released their 2014 Show Season Schedule yesterday announcing that they will perform at the “Thunder and Lightning over Arizona – Honoring the Past, Inspiring the Future” Open House here, April 12-13.
The Thunderbirds perform precision aerial maneuvers demonstrating the capabilities of Air Force high performance aircraft to people throughout the world. The squadron exhibits the professional qualities the Air Force develops in the people who fly, maintain and support these aircraft. The squadron is an Air Combat Command unit composed of eight pilots (including six demonstration pilots), four support officers, four civilians and more than 100 enlisted personnel performing in almost 30 job specialties.
A Thunderbirds’ aerial demonstration is a mix of formation flying and solo routines. The pilots perform approximately 40 maneuvers in a demonstration. The entire show, including ground and air, runs about 75 minutes.
The Desert Lightning Team invites the Tucson community to the open house to experience the aerial demonstrations and learn more about the airmen and aircraft carrying out the Air Force mission here.