Thunderbird History - Part 4 (Mid 80's -)

Early in 1983, the Thunderbirds reinstituted their traditional role of demonstrating the AirForce's frontline fighter capabilities. Transitioning to the F-16A Fighting Falcon allowed the team to demonstrate the very latest in fighter technology. In 1987, the Thunderbirds became the first U.S.demonstration squadron to perform in a communist country, as the team visited China. In 1991, theteam traveled to Europe for the first time since 1984. During the 30-day tour, 11 air demonstration swere performed in eight countries, including first-time visits to Switzerland, Poland, and Hungary.

In 1992, the Thunderbirds transitioned to the F-16C for their aerial demonstrations. The squadron was the last active-duty unit to convert to the upgraded model. The conversion took place simply because the team represents the rest of the Air Force and every frontline F-16 squadron employs the F-16C. The switch also made sense for logistical and combat-conversion reasons. In its rookie season, the Thunderbirds took their F-16Cs on a 17-day tour of Latin American countries. All totalled, 75 air demonstrations were performed before an estimated 6.6 million people in 1992.

The 40th anniversary air demonstration season was abruptly cut short after a pilot injury. The commander /leader was unable to fly the final 14 scheduled air demonstrations due to a lower back injury. The lead jet position serves as the platform for all the maneuvers performed during an air demonstration and as leader, his style of everything -- from making the majority of radio calls to his steady inputs of airmanship -- is critical to the success of every performance. The squadron still traveled to those canceled airshow sites and delivered poise, professionalism, and public relations inother forms, to include static displays, media orientation flights, autograph signings, and visits to local schools and hospitals. One of the highlights of the season was the 800th air demonstration flown inthe F- 16. More than 8 million people saw the Thunderbirds in 1993.

The 1994 demonstration season proudly ushered in the U.S. Air Force Air Demonstration Squadron's fifth decade. The Thunderbirds flew 67 air demonstrations in front of more than 6 million people, surpassing the 275 million mark for attendance. Traveling to the Far East in August, the squadron's 26-day "Thunder Over the Pacific" tour showed 1.3 million spectators in Alaska, Japan,Korea, Thailand, Singapore, Malaysia, Guam, and Hawaii the capabilities of American airpower.