The Thunderbirds, officially known as the Air Force Air Demonstration Squadron, land after a performance at Scott Air Force Base, Ill., June 9, 2017. To prepare for its demonstration role, the only modifications needed are installing a smoke-generating system in the space normally reserved for the 20mm cannon and the painting of the aircraft in Thunderbird colors. Since the team’s inception, 325 officers have worn the distinguished emblem of “America’s Ambassadors in Blue” and over 300 million people have witnessed their show.

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Photo credit: © Dudley Little / Alamy / Afripics
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Keywords: 375, 2017, air, america, amw, archive, armed, army, bs505, celebration, centennial, defence, force, forces, military, navy, reportage, scott, service, serviceman, servicemen, show, soldier, states, thunderbirds, united, usa