Courtesy/USAF Ssgt. Breanna Klemm
SPACEPORT AMERICA News:
LAS CRUCES — In preparation for another packed performance schedule in 2025, the United States Air Force Air Demonstration Squadron “Thunderbirds” once again spent the better part of January honing their collective skills at Spaceport America.
For nearly three weeks in January, the Thunderbirds, comprised of 12 officers and over 130 enlisted personnel serving in 31 Air Force job specialties utilized the spaceport to log dozens of hours of training.
“This is now the fourth time the USAF Thunderbirds have been on site to train since January 2022, and we continue to be honored to serve as their hosts,” said New Mexico Spaceport Authority (NMSA) Executive Director Scott McLaughlin. “We are happy they understand the unique benefits that Spaceport America has to offer for the aerospace community.”
Although the Thunderbirds’ team flies six F-16 Fighting Falcons, the Air Force’s premier multi-role fighter aircraft, in the demonstration a total of nine such fighters were present at Spaceport America for the training period. The 2025 Thunderbirds team featured a trio of new pilots. Team members worked and trained together to perfect their demonstration display.
The relationship between Spaceport America and the Thunderbirds extends back to 2021 when, for the first time, the squadron trained outside of its home base at Nellis Air Force Base in preparation for the 2022 season. Thanks to the restricted airspace available at Spaceport America through its partner, the U.S. Army White Sands Missile Range, the Thunderbirds were able to practice challenging flying conditions and encounter time constraints they will likely encounter during their 2025 performance schedule.
Following their departure from Spaceport America Friday, Jan. 24, the Thunderbirds transitioned to their next phase of training at Edwards Air Force Base in Southern California. From there, the 2025 Thunderbirds team traveled to Daytona, Fla., where it started the 2025 performance season by performing a flyover at the Daytona 500 Sunday, Feb. 16. It marked the 15th consecutive year the Thunderbirds performed a flyover at the event.