After 18 months of restoration, an F-16C that formerly performed with the Air Force’s Thunderbirds flight demonstration squadron now sits on permanent display outside the Thunderbirds Museum at Nellis AFB, Nev. The retired aircraft, tail number 87-0323, carries the Thunderbirds’ paint scheme as it appeared for the 1992 show season—this F-16’s first season in the squadron. It flew with the unit through 2008. Maintainers at Nellis spent 360 man hours preparing the F-16 for display, removing some $5 million in reusable parts, in addition to restoration and paint work. Since the Thunderbirds are away from Nellis much of the year, the static display will allow visitors to the team’s hangar and museum the opportunity to view a Thunderbirds aircraft year-round. The Thunderbirds transitioned from the F-16A/B in 1991 to the F-16C/D for their 1992 season, according to Nellis officials. (Nellis release)
Earlier this spring, the 388th Fighter Wing proved just 12 Airmen can operate an F-35 contingency location, refueling and rearming the fighters at spots across Georgia and South Carolina. The demonstration, part of exercise Agile Flag 23-1, marks yet another proof of concept for the Air Force’s plan to send…