#military aviation demo team

[indynerdgirl]

US Navy Blue Angels 2023/2024 Performance Schedules

[nocternalrandomness]

The beautiful "Blacksnake" Demo Hog

[friendlywinglet]

F-22 Demo Team, EA-18 Growler Demo Team, and the Blue Angels on the hot ramp at the 20204 Pikes Peak Regional Airshow.

[usafphantom2]

USAF's F-16 Viper demonstration team launches new painting scheme for the 50º anniversary of the iconic fighter

Fernando Valduga By Fernando Valduga 05/15/2024 - 18:53in Demonstration Squads, Military

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The U.S. Air Force F-16 Viper Demonstration Team unveiled on May 15, at Edwards Air Base, California, a special 50º anniversary painting scheme in honor of the original YF-16 aircraft.

The red, white and blue painting scheme was the original paint used by the YF-16 prototype that first flew in 1974. The team worked alongside the 412ª Test Wing to complete the painting scheme in less than 8 weeks, a task that would normally take approximately three months.

"When I was hired to be a commander and pilot in the summer of last year, I made it clear that I hoped to find a way to paint our plane in the prototype scheme to take America back to the beginning of the history that began 50 years ago," said Captain Taylor "FEMA" Hiester, commander and pilot of the F-16 Viper demonstration team.

Tony Accurso, logistics manager of the 416º Flight Test Squadron, U.S. Air Force veteran and director of the 50º anniversary event of the F-16 at Edwards Air Base, acted as the link between the team and the 412º TW. He personally participated in the painting project as a historical consultant, his enthusiasm for the F-16 Fighting Falcon and vast knowledge of the YF-16 prototype bringing the design to life.

“The importance of this YF-16 painting scheme is the celebration of the 50th anniversary of the F-16 Viper,” said Accurso. “Everyone in Edwards is very proud not only to support the Viper Demo Team, but also to celebrate the 50º anniversary of the F-16, which began right here in Edwards in 1974.”

YF-16 prototype.

The YF-16 prototype accidentally flew for the first time on January 20, 1974, after a "mechanical accident" during a high-speed taxi test. Phil Oestricher, the YF-16 test pilot, decided to take off and fly for six minutes to prevent the jet from falling. The official inaugural 90-minute flight was carried out on February 2, 1974. The F-16 Viper demonstration team was combined with the East and West Viper teams in 2015.

The team decided to make small changes to differentiate the new aircraft, including the exchange of the term "General Dynamics" for "20th Fighter Wing" and the addition of "Viper Demo" at the tip of the vertical stabilizer.

"The only way to start was with the support of the leadership of the 20th Fighter Wing, host of the F-16 Viper Demonstration Team, who believed in the importance of this project and supported the vision we had in mind," Hiester said.

In 2024, the F-16 Viper Demonstration Team will represent the Air Combat Command and the U.S. Air Force in 25 shows in four countries, celebrating the 50º anniversary of the F-16 Fighting Falcon.

Here is the calendar of demonstrations for this year:

Tags: Military AviationF-16 Fighting FalconF-16 Viper Demo TeamLockheed MartinUSAF - United States Air Force / U.S. Air Force

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Fernando Valduga

Fernando Valduga

Aviation photographer and pilot since 1992, he has participated in several events and air operations, such as Cruzex, AirVenture, Dayton Airshow and FIDAE. He has works published in specialized aviation magazines in Brazil and abroad. He uses Canon equipment during his photographic work in the world of aviation.

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[jjwphotography1990]

Beo bringing the vapor for her last show as the F-35 demo team pilot!

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The 2023 Orlando Air Show

Orlando, Florida

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#vapor #vaporcone #f35 #f35lightning #f35lightningii #jet #fighterjet #aviationphotography #airforce #airshow #airshowphotography #aviation #aviationgeek #airplane #military #shotoncanon #canon #canoneosr #eosr #canonphotography #photography #aviationphoto #pictureoftheday #planespotting #sigma #sigmalens #sigma60600mmsports #mylensrental #orlandoairshow #airdotshow

[daceymedia-aviation]

US Navy TAC Demo Team • FA-18E Superhornet

Bagotville International Air Show [2017]

3 Wing - CFB Bagotville

[canuckus]

Happy 60th Anniversary to NORAD!

[supermanandloisverse]

Ian Bohen via Instagram: Since I was 10 this has been a dream of mine. The @usnavyblueangels @wingsoverhoustonairshow and especially @stephstricklen made this come true. I cannot begin to thank you enough. @navyblueangel7 “Push-Pop” and I turned and burned 7.6 G’s and got close to cracking the sound barrier.

If you’re interested in the United States Military or aviation in general, check out what this group and other branches’ demo teams can show you. Videos to follow.

[fapangel]

It's time to cancel the Snowbirds. $10 million a year. Multiple fatalities. All for what? Military jingoism?

Air display teams aren’t “jingoism;” they exist to demonstrate the competence and skill of military aviators for the general public. “Jingoism” is flying around in armed military jets to show off your Big Missiles but doing little to actually show that the pilots know how to use them. An air demonstration team that flies around in trainer jets to participate in an activity traditionally conducted by pure civilians in civilian aerobatic aircraft - as a way of entertaining people enchanted with the beauty and freedom of aviation - is about as far from jingoism as you can get. 

But it is time to cancel the Snowbirds - not because of “jingoism,” but because Canada apparently cannot afford the extravagance. They’re still flying around in 1960s trainers modified for aerobatics in 1967, which is pretty damned economical of them to start with - and yet, apparently, nobody found the money to update the most important part of the aircraft for anyone doing low-level aerobatics; the ejection seat. A modern zero-zero (zero altitude, zero airspeed) ejection seat would have saved the crewman who’s chute did not fully deploy before hitting the ground, but it would also have saved the crewman who’s chute never deployed at all, by dint of not being an ancient ejection seat that simply failed when the components were called upon to function. 

Canada doesn’t have the GDP of America, and has very different spending priorities. That’s fine. What’s not fine is continuing to operate a demonstration squadron with inadequate safety equipment. If they cannot afford to install proper, modern ejection seats in their aircraft, then they shouldn’t have a demo team at all. Simple as. 

[flynfish777crew]

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🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸Thank you so much🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸 @usairforce #veterans #veteransday #veteransday2019 Monday flew by fast... Be sure to #Follow & #Like our @afthunderbirds for more info on the premiere air demo team. @ray_thunderbird_12 @boar_tbird2 @thornytbird3 @whit.collins_tb4 @thunderbird.8 @rainwaters27 @tbird.2 @afthunderbird7 @katie_tbird2.10 @mango.tbird11 @matt_kimmel_tbird5 @whit.collins_tb4 #USAF #✈️ #💨 #AirForce #Aircraft #Aircraftphotography #Aviation #Aviationgeek #Whataview #instaplanes #plane #avgeek #instagramaviation #instaaviation #military #Airman (at United States of America) https://www.instagram.com/p/B4wIbsBDK5G/?igshid=szs6r3fmv3hh

[indynerdgirl]

For the first time ever, three of the four Air Combat Command single-ship demonstration teams are piloted by women! 🤙🏻

Captain Lindsay M. "MAD" Johnson - Captain Lindsay Johnson is the A-10C Thunderbolt II Demonstration Team Pilot and Commander, DavisMonthan AFB, Arizona. She is responsible for showcasing the A-10 Thunderbolt II at over 20 airshows annually around the country, as well as internationally. She is also responsible for leadership of a 10-person team that includes maintenance and public affairs Airmen. She and the team highlight the capabilities of the A-10, as well as pay tribute to Air Force history by flying formation flights with the Heritage Flight Foundation.

Captain Aimee "Rebel" Fiedler - Captain Aimee Fiedler is the United States Air Force F-16 Viper Demonstration Team commander and pilot stationed at Shaw Air Force Base in Sumter, S.C. As the Viper Demo Team commander, she is responsible for representing Air Combat Command, the United States Air Force, the Department of Defense and the United States of America at more than 20 air shows annually. (you can follow her on Instagram @rebelfiedler16)

Major Kristen "Beo" Wolfe - Major Kristin Wolfe is the Commander, F-35A Lightning II Demonstration Team, 388th Fighter Wing, Hill Air Force Base, Utah. The mission of the F-35A Lightning II Demonstration team is to showcase the unique aerial capabilities of the Air Force’s most advanced 5th generation multi-role stealth fighter, the F-35A Lightning II, as well as highlight the history of the Air Force’s service through heritage formation flights. Additionally, she provides operational oversight and direction for the 13-personnel team, to include maintenance, aircrew flight equipment, and public affairs Airmen. (you can follow her on Instagram @beo_f35demo_pilot)

And also a shout-out to the female pilots in the US Air Force Thunderbirds and the US Navy Blue Angels!

Major Lauren “Threat” Schlichting - Major Lauren Schlichting is the Slot Pilot for the U.S. Air Force Demonstration Squadron, flying the No. 4 jet. She earned her commission in 2012 from the University of St. Thomas Air Force Reserve Officers Training Corps program where she majored in Mathematics and played lacrosse. Before joining the Thunderbirds, she was an evaluating pilot and executive officer for the 333rd Fighter Squadron at Seymour Johnson Air Force Base, N.C. She enjoys hockey, snowboarding, and surviving the Great White North. She has logged more than 2,000 flight hours in the F-15E, F-16, T-38, and T-6 with 420 combat hours. She is in her second season with the team and hails from Stillwater, MN. (you can follow her on Instagram @afthunderbird4)

Lieutenant Amanda "Stalin" Lee- Lieutenant Amanda Lee is the Left Wing pilot for the United States Navy Blue Angles, flying the No. 3 jet. She is a native of Mounds View, MN and she graduated from Irondale High School in 2004, where she competed in soccer, ice hockey and swimming. While attending the University of Minnesota Duluth, Amanda enlisted in the U.S. Navy as an Aviation Electronics Technician (AT) and reported to her first command, VFA-136 "Knighthawks." She was selected to commission as a Pilot through the Seaman-to-Admiral (STA-21) commissioning program in 2009. The following year, Lee attended the Naval Science Institute (NSI) for officer training in Newport, Rhode Island, and simultaneously began her studies at Old Dominion University in Norfolk, Virginia, where she received a Bachelor of Science in biochemistry.

Amanda joined the Blue Angels in September 2022, becoming the first woman to fly in a demo F/A-18E/F Super Hornet with the team. She has accumulated more than 1,400 flight hours and over 225 carrier-arrested landings. Her decorations include four Navy Achievement medals and various personal and unit awards.

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[defensenow]

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[usafphantom2]

Belgium unexpectedly announces the end of the F-16 Solo Display demo team

Fernando Valduga

On February 19, 2024, the Belgian Air Force announced the unexpected dissolution of its famous F-16 Solo Display, citing the transition already begun to the F-35A Lightning II and other reasons.

The Belgian Air Force announced completely unexpectedly that the solo display of the F-16 will no longer exist. The decision is accompanied by the immediate dissolution of the exhibition team. This means that the 44-year story of the solo exhibition of the F-16 of the Belgian Air Component, which was so popular among viewers, suddenly and abruptly comes to an end.

The Belgian armed forces justified the end of the solo display of the F-16 with the ongoing transition of the F-16 to the F-35A Lightning II and also cited a decreasing number of F-16s available as the reason. Some F-16s of the Belgian Air Component are actually reaching the end of their structural life. In addition, some F-16s are needed to support the training of Ukrainian pilots of this type.

The history of the F-16 Solo Display began 44 years ago, when the F-16 was demonstrated to numerous viewers in Belgium and abroad. During this period, only 19 different solo exhibition pilots flew in the demonstrations and were supported by a large number of aircraft technicians to ensure that the demonstrations could always take place.

Senior aviator captain Steven "Vrieske" De Vries was the last Belgian solo pilot of the F-16, and the F-16 dubbed the "Dream Viper" was the last Belgian show jet of the F-16.

Tags: Military AviationBelgian Air Component wings - Belgian Air ForceDemonstration SquadsF-16 Fighting Falcon

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Fernando Valduga

Fernando Valduga

Aviation photographer and pilot since 1992, he has participated in several events and air operations, such as Cruzex, AirVenture, Dayton Airshow and FIDAE. He has works published in specialized aviation magazines in Brazil and abroad. He uses Canon equipment during his photographic work in the world of aviation.

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