The USAF
Thunderbirds marked their 2,000th official F-16 Fighting Falcon demonstration
during an air show at Columbus AFB, Miss., earlier this month. “The F-16 is a remarkable
and dependable aircraft. It starts with its design characteristics, but the
platform has always had excellent parts supportability, contractor partnership,
and engineering oversight from our system program office,” said Capt. Lucas
Buckley, Thunderbirds maintenance officer. “But the main reason we’re still flying
the F-16 here is the work done by the exceptional airmen in this squadron, who
put in sweat equity each and every day to keep their machines safe, reliable,
and effective.” The Thunderbirds have flown the F-16 since August 1982, more
than half of the team’s history. The air show was held April 5-6, according to
a base release.
(Thunderbirds release.)