July 22, 2003 (by Lieven Dewitte) -
The Air Force Thunderbirds take to the air Wednesday at the annual Cheyenne Frontier Days, but it will be more than just another dazzling aerial spectacular. It will mark the 50th anniversary of their 1953 debut before the same Wyoming rodeo stands.
In 1953, Brig. Gen. Charles Born was given the task of forming an Air Force unit to demonstrate the efficiency of the F-84G Thunderjet and to recruit cadets. The 3600th Air Demonstration Squadron was established at Luke Air Force Base near Phoenix
The squadron moved to Nellis Air Force Base in Nevada in 1956, trading up to the F-100 and later the F-4, T-38 and finally their current aircraft, the F-16 Fighting Falcon.
