The Air Force Thunderbirds will fly their six-ship demonstration this weekend for the first time since one of their jets crashed earlier this month. Maj. Alex Turner, whose F-16 crashed June 2 outside Colorado Springs, Colo., after performing at the Air Force Academy graduation, will return to his role as the opposing solo at a show in Battle Creek, Mich., on July 2, according to an Air Combat Command release. Turner ejected prior to the crash and was unhurt, but was stood down during the investigation as part of standard protocol and to recover from the ejection, according to the release. Since then, he has been medically cleared and taken part in a number of practice flights. ACC Commander Gen. Hawk Carlisle said “the return to a full show is the right thing for the team and for those coming out to see the Thunderbirds in action over the 4th of July weekend,” according to the release. The aerial demonstration team participated in its first air show since the stand down in mid-June in Ocean City, Md.
AETC Readies for 1st Production T-7 Trainer
Dec. 5, 2025
Air Education & Training Command is poised to receive its first T-7A Red Hawk in the coming days, the start of a process that will end with pilots finally getting trained in the eagerly anticipated jet.
