02 April 2017 / 21:31 UTC-07 Tango 06 (14 Farvardin 1396/06 Rajab 1438/07 Jia Chen 4715)

In Florida retired USAF Colonel, and former astronaut, Buzz Aldrin (87 years old) poses in front of a Thunderbird’s two seater F-16 before his flight as a ‘Thunderbird Celebrity’, on 02 APR 2017.

The Thunderbirds began their 2017 season in February with a show in Texas.

Last year a Thunderbird F-16CM crashed at the Air Force Academy in Colorado, an investigation blamed it on a faulty throttle. It should be noted that the F-16, as most modern USAF aircraft, is fly-by-wire, meaning there is no direct mechanical linkage between the pilot’s controls and control surfaces or engine, except by electrical wires.  Reports say the USAF is pursuing a change in hardware for the plane.  The Thunderbirds have suffered several fatal crashes over the decades, most being blamed on the pilots.

In mid-October the Thunderbirds will buzz the city of Boise in Idaho, at the Gowen Thunder Air Show.  The final Thunderbirds show for the year will be in November, in Nevada.

Thunderbirds 2017 Schedule: http://afthunderbirds.com

Gowen Field 2016: OBAMA DISAPPEARS THE LAST OF IDAHO’S APACHES!

Gowen Field 2014: OBAMA REGIME FORCING STATE RUN AIR NATIONAL GUARD UNITS ONTO FEDERAL CONTROLLED AIR BASES!

Gowen Field 2012:   IDAHO NATIONAL GUARD DEMANDS SUICIDE HOTLINE!!!