Thunderbirds demo team • f-16 photography

USAF F-16A block 15 #81-0676 in the colors of the T-birds flew with the team from 1982 to 1991 and is now preserved at the Museum of Aviation at Robins AFB, Georgia. [Photo by Nctr]

Maj. John Gallemore, advance pilot and narrator for the USAF Air Demonstration Squadron 'Thunderbirds', taxis down the flight line on January 5th, 2010. Major Gallemore flies the team's No. 8 jet. [USAF photo by SSgt. Jacqueline Romero]

USAF F-16A block 15 #81-0679 from the Thunderbirds was named 'Warbird' in 1988 during an exercise to get the aircraft operational again within a 72-hour timeframe. [Photo by Thomas Wharton]

USAF F-16A block 15 #81-0679 from the Thunderbirds is seen loaded with three Mk. 82 bombs in 1988 during an exercise to get the aircraft operational again within a 72-hour timeframe. [Photo by Thomas Wharton]

Former Thunderbirds F-16A #81-0676 is displayed at the Museum of Aviation in Warner-Robins as seen on April 12th, 2010. [USAF photo]

Capt. Kristan Hubbard, Thunderbird advance pilot and narrator from Nellis AFB, visits Holloman to meet with base personnel on January 6th, 2011. Captain Hubbard is one of eight pilots scheduled to perform in a Thunderbirds' demonstration at this year's open house scheduled for October 8th. [USAF photo by SrA. Veronica Stamps]

USAF F-16C block 52 #91-0392 from the T-birds display team is taking off from Nellis AFB on February 3rd, 2009 for a training session. [Airfighters.com photo by Peter Boschert]

USAF F-16C block 52 #92-3881 from the T-birds display team is taking off from Nellis AFB on February 3rd, 2009 for a training session. [Airfighters.com photo by Peter Boschert]

USAF Maj. Aaron Jelinek, the lead solo of Thunderbird 5, and J.R. Williams, the opposing solo of Thunderbird 6, perform the inverted opposing knife edge pass during the Boston Portsmouth Air Show at Pease ANGB on August 14th, 2011. The Thunderbirds performance in New Hampshire marked its first time in the area in 25 years. [USAF photo by SSgt. Larry Reid Jr.]

USAF Thunderbird No. 2, Capt. Ryan Riely, foreground, the left wing pilot, and Thunderbirds No. 1, Lt. Col. Case Cunningham get into formation beside a KC-135R Stratotanker aircraft assigned to the 157th ARW during an air to air refueling mission over the eastern United States, while en route to an air show in Portsmouth, N.H. on August 11th, 2011. [USAF photo by SSgt. Curtis J. Lenz]

Capt. Nicholas Holmes, a slot pilot assigned to the Air Demonstration Squadron - the Thunderbirds, and IndyCar driver J.R. Hildebrand take off in a F-16D at Nellis AFB on October 11th, 2011. [USAF photo by SSgt. Larry E. Reid Jr.]

JR Hildebrand, IndyCar driver, poses by his name before launching out for his Thunderbird F-16 Fighting Falcon flight on October 11th, 2011 at Nellis AFB. Hildebrand, driver of the number four National Guard car for Panther Racing, came to Las Vegas to compete in the IZOD IndyCar World Championship at the Las Vegas Motor Speedway. [USAF photo by SSgt. Larry E. Reid Jr.]

JR Hildebrand, IndyCar driver, secures his mask before launching out for his Thunderbird F-16 Fighting Falcon flight on October 11th, 2011 at Nellis AFB. [USAF photo by SSgt. Larry E. Reid Jr.]

The Thunderbirds F-16C block 32 #87-0323, is placed on display outside the Thunderbird hangar on October 31st, 2011 at Nellis AFB. The Thunderbirds transitioned from the F-16A/B in 1991 to the F-16C/D for the 1992 show season. [USAF photo by SSgt. Richard W. Rose Jr.]