| Thunderbirds USAF Air Demonstration Squadron | |
|---|---|
 United States Air Force Thunderbirds emblem | |
| Active | 25 May 1953 – present (as air demonstration squadron) 13 June 1917 – 1 February 1963 (as operational squadron) |
| Country |  United States |
| Branch | United States Air Force |
| Role | Aerobatic display team |
| Size | 12 officers 132 enlisted support personnel 3 civilian support personnel |
| Part of | Air Combat Command |
| Garrison/HQ | Nellis Air Force Base Las Vegas, Nevada |
| Nickname(s) | "TBirds" |
| Colors | Red, White and Blue |
| Engagements |  World War I  World War II (Pacific Theater)  Korean War |
| Commanders | |
| Commander/Leader | Lt. Col Nathan Malafa |
| CEM | CMSgt Harvey McReynolds |
| Aircraft flown | |
| Fighter | six F-16C Fighting Falcons two F-16D Fighting Falcons |
The USAF Air Demonstration Squadron is the air demonstration squadron of the United States Air Force (USAF).[1] The Thunderbirds, as they are popularly known, are assigned to the 57th Wing, and are based at Nellis Air Force Base, Nevada. Created 71 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.
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.
- ^ Deford, Frank (3 August 1987). "America the Beautiful's team". Sports Illustrated. p. 66.