The Air Force air demonstration squadron is an Air Combat Command unit composed of eight pilots (including six demonstration pilots), four support officers, four civilians and about 120 enlisted airmen performing in more than 25 Air Force specialties. They are based at Nellis Air Force Base, Nev.
Demonstration sites are selected to support the objectives of the Defense Department and the interest of the armed Services with safety as the primary consideration. Performances greatly assist the recruiting and retention goals of the military Services, enhance esprit de corps among uniformed men and women, and demonstrate the professional skills and capabilities of the armed forces to the American public and U.S. allies.
The Thunderbirds schedule for 2008 is as follows:
March
15 — San Angelo, Texas
29 — Tyndall Air Force Base, Fla.
April
5 and 6 — Punta Gorda, Fla.
12 and 13 — Lakeland, Fla.
19 and 20 — Wilmington, N.C.
26 — Charleston Air Force Base, S.C.
May
3 and 4 — March ARB, Calif.
10 and 11 — Langley Air Force Base, Va.
17 and 18 — Fort Smith, Ark.
24 — Tinker Air Force Base, Okla.
28 — U.S. Air Force Academy, Colo. (Invitation Only)
31 — McGuire Air Force Base, N.J.
June
1 — McGuire Air Force Base, N.J.
7 and 8 — Rockford, Ill .
14 and 15 — Quebec City
21 — Klamath Falls, Ore.
24 — Eielson Air Force Base, Ala.
28 and 29 — Elmendorf Air Force Base, Ala.
July
4 and 6 — Battle Creek, Mich.
12 and 13 — Milwaukee, Wis.
19 and 20 — McChord Air Force Base, Wash.
23 — Cheyenne, Wyo.
26 and 27 — Rochester, N.Y.
August
8 and 10 — Abbotsford, Canada
16 and 17 — Offutt Air Force Base, Neb.
20 — Atlantic City, N.J.
23 and 24 — Kansas City, Mo.
30 and 31 — Travis Air Force Base, Calif.
September
6 and 7 — Westover ARB, Mass.
12 and 13 — Reno, Nev.
14 — Mountain Home, Idaho
20 and 21 — Scott Air Force Base, Ill
27 and 28 — Salinas, Calif
October
4 — Vance Air Force Base, Okla.
11 and 12 — Ft. Worth, Texas
18 and 19 — Dobbins Air Force Base, Ga.
25 and 26 — Houston, Texas
November
1 and 2 — Lafayette, La.
8 and 9 — Nellis Air Force Base, Nev.
While the above schedule has been approved, it is subject to change. For up-to-date information and complete details about the Air Force Thunderbirds, visit the official Thunderbirds Website.
