U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds The World's Most Elite Aerobatic Demonstration Teams

U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds The World's Most Elite Aerobatic Demonstration Teams | The U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds are one of the world's most elite aerobatic demonstration teams. Formed in 1953, they have amazed audiences throughout the U.S. as well as in over 60 countries around the world, promoting the U.S. Air Force as well as serving as goodwill ambassadors. The team made the switch to the F-16A in 1983, moving on to their current F-16C Block 32 in 1992, and are slated to upgrade to the F-16C Block 52 in 2009. Featuring the U.S. national colors of red, white, and blue, the aircraft also features a striking image of the thunderbird from Native American legend on the underside. Thunderbirds F-16s will surely continue to produce dynamic displays for many years to come.

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The United States Air Force Thunderbirds received the first F-16C Fighting Falcon to finish the Service Life Extension Program April 27 at Hill Air Force Base, Utah.

The program boosts aircraft’s capabilities by extending the life expectancy of the aircraft. This is accomplished by conducting an in-depth inspection that involves stripping paint, removing panels, and replacing parts that cannot be conducted at a normal maintenance unit.

The jet entered the program back in December 2016 and, with a brand new coat of paint, returned home to Nellis Air Force Base, Nev. to fly in the Thunderbird #4/Slot position for the upcoming Thunderbird’s show season.

Along with inspecting and collecting one of the team’s F-16s, members of the Thunderbirds team toured the 309th Aircraft Maintenance Group.

[AviationExplained]

The best in the word is the declared to be the “Frecce Tricolori” in Italy. And it’s a true fact.

[Luddite-vdts]

Okay, they're good, indeed very good. But what exactly do you mean by the phrase used in the title? Most elite; what does that actually mean? Most exclusive? Best? That's all subjective, isn't it? To take football (soccer) as an anology. One year you could win the league, the next year your team could be relegated. Who's to say the Thunderbirds are the best? Or the most elite? Or whatever meant by that phrase?

As with so many things in US culture there's a Humility deficit.