/ Published June 04, 2015
The U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds Air Demonstration Squadron, fly their F-16 Fighting Falcons into formation near the refueling boom of a KC-135 Stratotanker from McConnell Air Force Base, Kan., June 4, 2015. The KC-135 provided cross-country air refueling support for the Thunderbirds. The KC-135 aircrew, all Air Force Reservists from the 931st Air Refueling Group, performed fourteen air refueling contacts during the mission. The squadron was on their way to the Heart of Texas Airshow in Waco, Texas, June 6-7. The squadron performs approximately 75 demonstrations each year and has never canceled a demonstration due to maintenance difficulty. More than 300 million people in all 50 states and 58 foreign countries have seen the red, white and blue jets in more than 4,000 aerial demonstrations. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Abigail Klein)
Tech. Sgt. John Bui, 18th Air Refueling Squadron boom operator, prepares to refuel the U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds Air Demonstration Squadron, June 4, 2015. During the flight, Bui performed fourteen air refueling contacts for the squadron, which was on their way to the Heart of Texas Airshow in Waco, Texas, June 6-7. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Abigail Klein)
The U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds Air Demonstration Squadron fly their F-16 Fighting Falcons in formation near the refueling boom of a KC-135 Stratotanker from McConnell Air Force Base, Kan., June 4, 2015. The KC-135 provided cross-country air refueling support for the Thunderbirds. The KC-135 aircrew, all Air Force Reservists from the 931st Air Refueling Group, performed fourteen air refueling contacts during the mission. The squadron was on its way to the Heart of Texas Airshow in Waco, Texas, June 6-7. The squadron performs approximately 75 demonstrations each year and has never canceled a demonstration due to maintenance difficulty. More than 300 million people in all 50 states and 58 foreign countries have seen the red, white and blue jets in more than 4,000 aerial demonstrations. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Abigail Klein)
Maj. Jason Curtis, lead solo pilot for the U.S. Air Force Air Demonstration Squadron, rejoins his team after receiving an air refueling from KC-135 Stratotanker assigned to McConnell Air Force Base, Kan., June 4, 2015. The KC-135 aircrew, all Air Force Reservists from the 931st Air Refueling Group, provided several air refueling missions for the Thunderbirds during the past week. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Abigail Klein)
A member of the U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds Air Demonstration Squadron, flies a F-16 Fighting Falcons back into formation after an air refueling from a KC-135 Stratotanker assigned to McConnell Air Force Base, Kan., June 4, 2015. The KC-135 provided cross-country air refueling support for the Thunderbirds. The KC-135 aircrew, all Air Force Reservists from the 931st Air Refueling Group, performed fourteen air refueling contacts during the mission. The squadron was on their way to the Heart of Texas Airshow in Waco, Texas, June 6-7. The squadron performs approximately 75 demonstrations each year and has never canceled a demonstration due to maintenance difficulty. More than 300 million people in all 50 states and 58 foreign countries have seen the red, white and blue jets in more than 4,000 aerial demonstrations. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Abigail Klein)
An F-16 Fighting Falcon aircraft piloted by Maj. Tyler Ellison, the operations officer for the U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds Air Demonstration Squadron, approaches the boom of a KC-135 Stratotanker assigned to McConnell Air Force Base, Kan., June 4, 2015. The KC-135 provided cross-country air refueling support for the Thunderbirds. The KC-135 aircrew, all Air Force Reservists from the 931st Air Refueling Group, performed fourteen air refueling contacts during the mission. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Abigail Klein)
Capt. Alex Goldfein, the right wing pilot for the U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds Air Demonstration Squadron, approaches the boom of a KC-135 Stratotanker assigned to McConnell Air Force Base, Kan., June 4, 2015. The KC-135 provided cross-country air refueling support for the Thunderbirds. The KC-135 aircrew, all Air Force Reservists from the 931st Air Refueling Group, performed fourteen air refueling contacts during the mission. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Abigail Klein)
Capt. Alex Goldfein, the right wing pilot for the U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds Air Demonstration Squadron, flies away from the boom of a KC-135 Stratotanker assigned to McConnell Air Force Base, Kan., June 4, 2015. The KC-135 provided cross-country air refueling support for the Thunderbirds. The KC-135 aircrew, all Air Force Reservists from the 931st Air Refueling Group, performed fourteen air refueling contacts during the mission. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Abigail Klein)
(Left to right) Capt. Brian Doom and Maj. Michael Murphy, 18th Air Refueling Squadron pilots, fly a KC-135 Stratotanker assigned to McConnell Air Force Base, Kan., to provide air refueling support for the Thunderbirds, June 4, 2015. The KC-135 aircrew, all Air Force Reservists from the 931st Air Refueling Group, provided several air refueling missions for the Thunderbirds during the past week. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Abigail Klein)