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: 06/19/2014
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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- USAFADS announces 2015 officer selections
NELLIS AIR FORCE BASE, Nev. — General Mike Hostage III, commander of Air Combat Command, has officially released the names of the officers who will be joining the U.S. Air Force Air Demonstration Squa...More
- Thunderbirds perform 2,000th F-16 demonstration
NELLIS AIR FORCE BASE, Nev. – At a recent air show hosted by Columbus AFB, Miss., the U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds performed their 2,000th official demonstration in the F-16 Fighting Falcon....More
- TBAA kicks-off "Operation Grass Roots" campaign
The 2014 Thunderbird alumni board has kicked off a new alumni campaign called “Operation Grass Roots.” The campaign encourages alumni to formulate “mini reunions” during the 2014 air show season....More
- ET Now: 'Captain America's' Anthony Mackie Soars With The Thunderbirds
Before Captain America: The Winter Soldier hits theaters Friday, the film's star Anthony Mackie and ET's Brooke Anderson got the chance of a lifetime to fly with the Air Force's Elite Unite, The Thund...More
- Tampa Bay Buccaneers Wide Receiver Vincent Jackson flies with the Thunderbirds
Tampa Bay Buccaneers Wide Receiver Vincent Jackson flies with the Thunderbirds at MacDill AFB, FL....More
- AZ Cardinal's Larry Fitzgerald'd flight with Thunderbirds.
Larry Fitzgerald took a flight with the US Air Force Thunderbirds at Luke Air Force Base in Glendale....More
- Paralympic track star rides F-16 fighter jet
Paralympic track star rides F-16 fighter jet...More
- Orphanage to Thunderbirds: The story of Holly Mays
Thunderbirds Tech. Sgt. Holly Mays tells the story of her struggles to succeed from an orphanage in South Korea to a career in the Air Force with the elite Thunderbird squadron....More
- Thunderbirds F-105 model resurrected at Nellis Air Force Base
Like the red, white and blue jet their father flew, the one perched on a pedestal outside the Thunderbirds hangar at Nellis Air Force Base made their hearts soar Friday when the team rededicated the 6...More
- Nellis Thunderbirds prepare for a big year of air shows
The Thunderbirds’ red-white-and-blue F-16 jets roared over Nellis Air Force Base on Friday....More
- Air Force Thunderbirds’ line chief has really cool roots
The Thunderbirds team at Nellis Air Force Base is at the top of the world when it comes to showcasing the Air Force’s flying feats. So it makes sense that the team’s line chief is from North Pole, Ala...More
- Code One: Thunderbirds 60 Anniversary
The 3600th US Air Force Air Demonstration Unit was activated at Luke AFB, Arizona, on 1 June 1953. Seven officers and twenty-two enlisted were selected for the first jet fighter demonstration team of ...More
- 60th Anniversary Tribute Video
I have had the honor of producing videos for the Thunderbirds for more than 2 1/2 years now. This is definitely one of my favorites. To all Thunderbirds, past and present, cheers! -JW...More
- Nellis Thunderbirds prepare for a big year of air shows
The Thunderbirds’ red-white-and-blue F-16 jets roared over Nellis Air Force Base on Friday. Their silhouettes disappeared into a partly cloudy sky as four of the team’s Fighting Falcon jets made a ...More
- 60 Years of Thunder Giclee Order Form
60 Years of Thunder giclee's still available....More
- History of the Thunderbirds Fitzgerald Trophy
The Fitzgerald Trophy is given annually in honor of Major Robert Fitzgerald, who died in a Thunderbird aircraft accident April 6, 1961....More
