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United States Marine Corps F-35B DEMO Team

The United States Marine Corps F-35B DEMO Team is comprised of active-duty Naval Aviators flying the F-35B Lightning II and the maintainers who keep the aircraft flying. The F-35B is the world’s first short-takeoff, vertical landing, or “STOVL,” 5th generation fighter. The aerial demonstration showcases the aircraft’s performance in both its conventional and STOVL modes of flight.

The team has two components, representing the East Coast and the West Coast. Marine Fighter Attack Training Squadron 501 (VMFAT-501), also known as the “Warlords,” are stationed in Beaufort, South Carolina. Marine Fighter Attack Training Squadron 502 (VMFAT-502), also known as the “Flying Nightmares,” are stationed in Miramar, California. These two components allow for a combined area of responsibility, ensuring that the F-35B DEMO Team can support aerial demonstrations, flyovers, and static displays at events nationwide. Both VMFAT-501 and VMFAT-502 are the Marine Corps’ F-35B Fleet Replacement Squadrons, tasked with conducting core introduction Fighter/Attack training to produce capable pilots and maintainers ready to serve in the Fleet.

Photo by LSB Photography

United States Navy Growler Demo Team

The Navy Legacy Flight Foundation program matches today’s frontline military fighters with their predecessors in close flight maneuvers at air shows nationwide. USN F/A-18F “Rhino” fighters, E/A-18G “Growler” Electronic Countermeasure aircraft, and F-35C Lightning II fly on the wings of World War II, Korean and Vietnam era fighters in an amazing tribute to Naval Aviators both past and present.

The U.S. Navy’s TACDEMO teams from VFA-106, VFA-122, and VAQ-129 are the U.S. Navy’s Legacy Flight teammates. These talented active-duty aviators fly the dynamic Super Hornet tactical demonstrations that precede our Navy Legacy flights. Strike Fighter Squadron 122 (VFA 122), also known as the “Flying Eagles,” are the West Coast team and Strike Fighter Squadron 106 (VFA-106), also known as the “Gladiators,” are the East Coast team. Electronic Attack Squadron 129 (VAQ-129), also known as the “Vikings,” are the EA-18G team. Also joining the Legacy Flight program is the Carrier Variant F-35C Lightning II.

Starting in 2022, all types of the U.S. Navy training aircraft will also be doing static demonstrations at air shows and performing Legacy Flights with the fighters and legacy warbird aircraft.

The Navy approves a select group of civilian pilots to fly their warbirds in formation with the TACDEMO and F-35C aircraft. Intensive training and preparation are the focus of a week-long mission each spring to prepare the pilots for safe and enjoyable demonstrations all over the U.S.

Photo by LSB Photography

United States Air Force Thunderbirds

On May 25, 1953, just six years after the U.S. Air Force became its own branch of service, the Thunderbirds were born as the Air Force’s official air demonstration team. The team, designated the 3600th Air Demonstration Unit, was activated at Luke AFB, Arizona. Over the years and with many different aircraft, the Thunderbirds have continued to represent those who deserve the most credit: the hardworking Airmen who serve our country every day.

The Thunderbirds perform for people all around the world to display the pride, precision and professionalism the U.S. Air Force represents. Through air shows and flyovers, they aim to excite and inspire. In addition to showcasing the elite skills all pilots must possess, the Thunderbirds demonstrate the incredible capabilities of the Air Force’s premier multi-role fighter jet, the F-16 Fighting Falcon.

The demonstration is a mix of six aircraft performing formation flying and solo routines. The four-ship Diamond formation showcases the precision and training of U.S. Air Force Pilots, as well as the gracefulness of the F-16. The two solos display the power and maximum capabilities of the mighty F-16 Fighting Falcon, a frontline fighter.

The officers and enlisted Airmen who make up the Thunderbirds embody professionalism and skill. Eight officers serve as their highly experienced pilots, and four serve in critical roles from medical support to public affairs. The more than 120 enlisted members represent nearly 30 different career fields and serve as the backbone of the team, ensuring all jets and operations are in top shape at all times.

Photo by LSB Photography

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United States Army Golden Knights

The United States Army Parachute Team, known as the Golden Knights, is a combination of expert teams and Soldiers brought together by their love of skydiving. This includes parachute teams, aircraft pilots, and those who handle jump logistics behind the scenes.

For over fifty-six years, members of the U. S. Army Parachute Team have been marking the milestones of achievement and an evolution of excellence serving as “Ambassadors” of the Army’s only official Demonstration team. The Golden Knights portray the image of being the most formidable parachuting competitors and demonstrators in the world today. If you mention the name “Golden Knights” to someone today in any of the fifty states, and most likely what comes to mind is a phenomenal demonstration they watched in past years at an air show or sporting event. But if you mention it to a sport parachutist, they will most probably think of the competitors they jumped against or heard about in parachute meets across the country or abroad.

The Strategic Army Command Parachute Team, or STRAC, was formed in 1959 by nineteen “Airborne” Soldiers from various military units. Brigadier General Joseph Stilwell Jr. was responsible for gathering these Soldiers with the original intent to compete during the Cold War effort. This new U.S. All-Army team swept the international competition circuit, in what was then the Soviet dominated sport of skydiving. Later that year, on November 1, this newly formed team performed their first demonstration in Danville, Virginia.

In 1961, the Department of Defense announced on June 15, that the STRAC team would become the United States Army Parachute Team. The team is one of three authorized DoD aerial demonstration teams, along with the Thunderbirds and Blue Angels.

On October 15, 1962, the team earned the nickname the “Golden Knights” on the competition field of battle. Golden, signifying the gold medals the team had won; Knights, proving that they were world champions and the fact that the Team had “conquered the skies.”

Photo by LSB Photography

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