Thunderbirds History - How It All Began
In 1947, while the jet age was still in its infancy, military aviation was hurtled into the future with the creation of the U.S. Air Force as a separate service. Just six years later, the Air Force wanted an air demonstration team.
The job of forming the team fell to Major Smokey Catledge, the unit's first commander/leader. His immediate task was to find six officers and 22 enlisted to form the first team and get them ready for their first demonstration at Luke Air Force Base, Ariz. three weeks later.
The Air Force's official air demonstration team, designated the 3600th USAF Air Demonstration Unit/Flight, was activated on May 25, 1953. The unit adopted the name "Thunderbirds",influenced in part by the strong Native American culture and folklore from the southwestern United States where Luke Air Force Base is located. Three months later the name “Thunderbirds" was added to the unit designation.
Last Update: 09/20/2017
Welcome to the Thunderbirds Alumni Association website.
On it you will learn the history of the U.S. Air Force Air Demonstration Squadron, "Thunderbirds,"and the Thunderbird Alumni Association, as well. See the names of the more than 2,000 people who have worn the Thunderbirds patch. Alumni, Associates, Honorary Thunderbirds and Honorary Crew Chiefs can update their own profile by clicking on the "Member Login" button above.
If you have other questions, please contact Al Eakle, the administrator, below.
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- Deadline Nears For Thunderbirds 64th Anniversary Reunion Nov. 9-11
With less than 60 days to go, plans are firm as Thunderbirds alumni and current team members will gather Nov. 9-11 to celebrate the U.S. Air Force Air Demonstration Squadron’s 64th anniversary. T...More
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- 2017 Thunderbirds Reunion Agenda
2017 Thunderbirds Reunion Nov 9-11, 2017 Golden Nugget Hotel and Casino Agenda (Times Subject to Last Minute Changes)...More
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- ACC Commander Selects Officers for Thunderbirds 2018 Demonstration Season
June 29, 2017 – NELLIS AIR FORCE BASE, Nev. — The commander of Air Combat Command, Gen. Mike Holmes, has officially selected the officers who will be joining the United States Air Force Thunderbir...More
- 2017 Reunion Registrations
As of Sept 18, 2017...More
- Golden Nugget is 2017 reunion hotel
Room Rates, Reservation Details...More
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- Highland Falls Golf Course Hosts Reunion Golf Outing
Highland Falls Golf Course in Summerlin will host the Thunderbirds Alumni Association reunion golf outing with a shotgun start Thursday morning Nov. 9. The par-72, 6,512-yard course was designed by B...More
- Plans Firming Up for Thunderbirds Reunion Nov. 9-11
With less than six months to go, plans are firming up as Thunderbirds alumni and current team members will gather Nov. 9-11 to celebrate the Air Force Air Demonstration Squadron’s 64th anniversary. ...More
- New APPs available for Android, Apple mobile devices Those
Those people with either an Android or Apple mobile device (phone, tablet or iPad) might want to download and check out TBAA’s new APP. The free downloads located in the Google Play store and Appleâ...More
- Former Thunderbird pilot reunites with T-38 at Tyndall AFB
By Tech. Sgt. Javier Cruz 325thFighter Wing Public Affairs Standing in the shadow of America’s premier 5th generation fighter aircraft would make any other aircraft pale in comparison, but one T...More
- Challenge Coin Bottle Openers
This dog tag-shaped bottle opener salutes both the current Thunderbirds team and Thunderbirds alumni who came before them. The Dog Tag Bottle Opener features the Thunderbirds Patch on one side, and th...More
- Thunderbirds Posters
The Thunderbirds Alumni Association is offering two different posters printed on photo paper measuring 16 x 20 inches. Posters are $30 each with an additional $5 for shipping, whether you buy one or m...More
- 60th Anniversary Commemorative Coin Sets
The Thunderbirds Alumni Association still has limited quantities of 60th anniversary commemorative coin sets. Each set features the 60th anniversary logo on one side and one of the eight different air...More
- Thunderbirds Alumni Association offering new posters
The Thunderbirds Alumni Association is offering two new posters through their website (www.tbaa.org) in the General Sales sub-tab under the Merchandise tab on the home page....More
