The U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds Come to Oahu

Today we went to Hickam Air Force Base; they had an open house for the 62 birthday of the U.S. Air Force. But the commissary had soda on sale, so thought we would take advantage and pick up a supply. Of course, going to the commissary was also an excuse to go on Base to get a good vantage point to see the Air Force's air demonstration squadron -- the Thunderbirds. They are awesome!


Since we arrived a little early, we decided to visit the food court for a salad and a drink. Lo and behold inside were some members of the Thunderbird ground crew. They were having lunch and watching a football game. They have readily identifiable markings on their uniforms so they were easy to spot.


These young men travel throughout the country and the world with the Thunderbirds as the team puts on demonstrations of crack flying techniques.


There were six F-16 jets in the team. This photo shows four of them in close formation. At one point they fly with approximately 18 inches of space between their wings.


Here are a pair coming back after making a turn out over the sea. At the speed they travel it takes quite a bit of room for them to turn and come back. At one point they flew low enough overhead for us to see the image of a huge black thunderbird that is painted on the underside of each team member's jet.


Scuttlebutt among some of the viewers is that the Thunderbirds now have their first female pilot. I do so hope it is true!


These four jets in a tight formation. Sorry for the fuzzy photo - we are amateurs for sure.


Four jets completing a huge vertical circle done in formation.


All six together flying really high.



Trying to follow the jets with the camera is indeed a challenge. You can't follow the sound because they are ahead of the sound. And you can't follow the vapor trail because by the time you find it in your screen they are long gone. (You can get a sense of the sounds we heard, though.) But it sure does make a body proud to see them!