The Thunderbirds
squadron is an Air Combat Command unit comprised of eight pilots (six are
demonstration pilots), four support officers, four civilians, 115 active-duty
enlisted people and two National Guardsmen performing in more than 27 different
career fields.
A Thunderbirds air demonstration is a mix of six aircraft, performing formation flying and solo routines. The four-aircraft diamond formation demonstrates the training and precision of Air Force pilots, while the solos highlight the maximum capabilities of the Lockheed Martin F-16 Fighting Falcon. The pilots perform approximately 30 maneuvers in a demonstration. The entire show, including ground and air, runs about an hour and 15 minutes. The demonstration season lasts from March to November, with the winter months used for training new pilots.
Officers serve a two-year assignment with the squadron, while the enlisted corps serves three to four. Nearly a third of all personnel are replaced each year, providing a constant mix of experience levels.
The squadron performs no more than 88 air demonstrations each year and has never canceled a performance due to maintenance difficulty. Since the unit's inception in 1953, more than 315 million people in all 50 states and 60 foreign countries have witnessed the red, white, and blue jets in more than 3,500 official aerial demonstrations.
The Thunderbirds were officially activated May 25, 1953, as the 3600th Air Demonstration Unit at Luke Air Force Base, Ariz. The Korean War was the first time the U.S. used jet aircraft in combat and the mission of the 3600th was to show the American public the safety and reliability of the new technology of the time.
2003 Team
Commander/Leader: Lt Col Richard G. McSpadden Jr.
Left Wing: Maj Mark D. Smith
Right Wing: Capt D. Chris Callaghan
Slot: Maj Matthew R. Beckley
Lead Solo: Maj Todd D. Canterbury
Opposing Solo: Capt Chris R. Stricklin
Operations Officer: Maj Randy J. Redell
Advance Pilot/Narrator: Maj Dann S. Carlson
Flight Surgeon: Capt (Dr.) David L. Steinhiser
Executive Officer: Capt Sean M. Cotter
Maintenance Officer: Capt Robert M. Brinker
Public Affairs Officer: Capt Steven W. Rolenc
