The USAF Air Demonstration Squadron ("Thunderbirds") is the air demonstration squadron of the United States Air Force (USAF).[1] The Thunderbirds are assigned to the 57th Wing, and are based at Nellis Air Force Base, Nevada. Created 67 years ago in 1953, the USAF Thunderbirds are the third-oldest formal flying aerobatic team (under the same name) in the world, after the French Air Force Patrouille de France formed in 1931 and the United States Navy Blue Angels formed in 1946.

Thunderbirds
USAF Air Demonstration Squadron
Dayton Air Show 2009.jpg
Diamond formation at the 2009 Dayton Air Show
Active
25 May 1953 – present
(as air demonstration squadron)
13 June 1917 – 1 February 1963
(as operational squadron)
Country
Flag of the United States.svg United States
Branch
Roundel of the USAF.svg United States Air Force
Role
Aerobatic display team
Size
12 officers
120 enlisted support personnel
Part of
Air Combat Command
Garrison/HQ
Nellis Air Force Base
Las Vegas, Nevada
Colors
Red, White and Blue
Engagements
World War I War Service Streamer without inscription.png
World War I
Asiatic-Pacific Streamer.png
World War II (Pacific Theater)
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Korean War
Website
www.afthunderbirds.com
Insignia
Identification
symbol
Thunderbirds Air Demonstration Squadron.png
Aircraft flown
Fighter
six F-16C Fighting Falcons
two F-16D Fighting Falcons
The Thunderbirds Squadron tours the United States and much of the world, performing aerobatic formation and solo flying in specially marked aircraft. The squadron's name is taken from the legendary creature that appears in the mythologies of several indigenous North American cultures. First aircraft in days. enjoy!