Now in their 67th year of wowing audiences, the US Air Force Thunderbirds -- "America's Ambassadors in Blue" -- can always be relied upon for breathtakingly spectacular performances at air shows and special events coast to coast.
This year, the
Thunderbirds are scheduled to perform public demonstrations at more than 30 locations throughout the US.
Just up ahead, check out more information on the US Air Force Thunderbirds including fun facts and trivia, and the full 2024 Thunderbirds schedule for where they will be appearing this year at a location near you.
The 2024 season kicks off with the Thunderbirds' first public flyovers of the year -- the 2024 Super Bowl and the 2024 Daytona 500 in February -- followed by a full schedule at venues nationwide from March to November.
The 130-person squadron represents the more than 500,000 active duty, guard, and reserve airmen serving at home and abroad.
• The original show in 1953 consisted of a series of formation aerobatics and lasted all of 15 minutes.
• The Thunderbirds were originally known as the 3600th Air Demonstration Unit, but eventually adopted the name "Thunderbirds" in honor of the Native American culture and folklore of the Southwest where they were based at Luke Air Force Base, Arizona.
• The Thunderbirds made both television and NASCAR history in 2003 while celebrating their 50th Anniversary. The unit's leader started the Coca-Cola 600 race that year by broadcasting live from the Thunderbirds No. 1 cockpit to announce: “Gentlemen, start your engines.”
• In addition to US mainland performances the Thunderbirds perform in Hawaii and Alaska, and enjoy a worldwide reputation with goodwill tours in countries throughout Europe and the Far East.
Now in their 67th year of wowing audiences, the US Air Force Thunderbirds -- "America's Ambassadors in Blue" -- can always be relied upon for breathtakingly spectacular performances at air shows and special events coast to coast.
