JBLM Airshow & Warrior Expo 2016 – USAF Thunderbirds

The USAF Thunderbirds hold a proud history of military demonstration flying that dates back to 1953 at Luke AFB in Arizona when they first flew the Republic F-84 Thunderjet. Over the years they progressed through jet technology to the Republic F-84F Thunderstreak in 1955, North American F-100C Super Sabre from 1956 to 1964, Republic F-105B Thunderchief for just 6 shows between April and May 1964, then following an accident involving the F-105 they flew the F-100D Super Sabre until 1969, the McDonnell Douglas F-4E Phantom II then took over until 1974 when the fuel crisis hit and they had to “downgrade” to the cheaper to run Northrop T-38 Talon trainer until 1982 when the first General Dynamics F-16A Fighting Falcon was delivered.

USAF Thunderbirds early years - F-84G Thunderjet, F-84F Thunderstreak, F-100C/D Super Sabre & F-105 Thunderchief — USAF Thunderbirds early years – F-84 Thunderjet, F-84F Thunderstreak, F-100C/D Super Sabre & F-105B Thunderchief (Photo Source: USAF)

USAF Thunderbirds early years - F-4E Phantom II and T-38 Talon — USAF Thunderbirds early years – F-4E Phantom II and T-38 Talon (Photo Source: USAF & Northrop-Grumman)

Today they are based at Nellis AFB in Nevada and continue to thrill crowds flying the stunning looking F-16 in the red, white and blue with a huge Thunderbird painted on their undersides. Their demonstration at Joint Base Lewis McChord on the Saturday of the JBLM Airshow & Warrior Expo 2016 (August 28-29, 2016) was another great show with plenty of action and great formation flying.