Thunderbirds (squadron)

The Thunderbirds are the Air Demonstration Squadron of the United States Air Force, successors to the "Skyblazers."

Related Topics:
United States Air Force - Skyblazers

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The Squadron was activated, after 6 months training in an unofficial status, on June 1, 1953 as the 3600th Air Demonstration Team at Luke Air Force Base in Arizona. They flew their debut exhibition at Luke a week later, and began public exhibitions at the 1953 Frontier Days in Cheyenne, Wyoming. The team had flown 26 shows by that August. The first team leader was Maj. Dick Catledge, and the first plane flown by the squadron was the F-84 Thunderjet.

Related Topics:
June 1 - 1953 - Luke Air Force Base - Arizona - Frontier Days - Cheyenne, Wyoming - Dick Catledge - F-84 Thunderjet

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