The Thunderbirds plan 
to continue their aerial demonstration schedule. After reviewing safety procedures following the Aug. 20 incident in Chicago in which two of the team’s F-16s touched wingtips while in flight, dropping a missile rail from one Viper into Lake Michigan, per an Associated Press report, the T-Birds decided the group did not need to alter its routine. The team had cancelled its Sunday show in Chicago but now plans to fly this weekend in Westfield, Mass.
Lawmakers are growing impatient for an overdue fighter recapitalization study from the Air Force, and members say they'll demand more detailed justifications for future aircraft retirements.