(EL PASO COUNTY, Colo.) — The Air Force Thunderbirds will arrive in Colorado Springs on Tuesday, May 27, ahead of the 2025 Commencement Ceremony at the U.S. Air Force Academy (USAFA) on Thursday, May 29.
The U.S. Air Force Demonstration Squadron, commonly referred to as the Thunderbirds, will conduct a site survey of the Academy on Tuesday before landing at Peterson Space Force Base (SFB). Then, on Wednesday, May 28, professional golfer and 2014 USAFA graduate, Kyle Westmoreland, will hop into the cockpit of one of the iconic F-16s for a once-in-a-lifetime flight over the Pikes Peak Region.
According to Peterson SFB, the Thunderbirds serve as America’s premier air demonstration team, showcasing the precision and professionalism of Airmen while inspiring a new generation of pilots. Flying six F-16 fighter jets in tight formation, the Thunderbirds execute breathtaking aerial maneuvers, demonstrating the exceptional capabilities of the Air Force’s advanced fighter jets and the highly skilled pilots who operate them.
The Thunderbirds are stationed at Nellis Air Force Base in Las Vegas and perform approximately 75 demonstrations across the nation in a year.
In addition to their responsibilities as the official U.S. Air Force aerial demonstration team, the Thunderbirds are part of the combat force. According to the Air Force, if required, the team’s personnel and aircraft can be rapidly integrated into a fighter unit at Nellis AFB. Since the aircraft are only slightly modified, they can be made combat-ready in less than 72 hours.
The Thunderbirds will perform a flyover during the cap toss at the graduation ceremony on Thursday, ahead of a celebratory aerial display that lasts about an hour and 15 minutes.
