Air Force Responds

Statement by the Air Force:

Telling the Air Force story, especially in wartime, raises the public’s awareness and appreciation of its all-volunteer military. The work Airmen do around the world every day tells a compelling story of the U.S. military’s heroism, professionalism and dedication.

The Thunderbirds help tell that story. Their objectives are to support U.S. Air Force recruiting and retention programs; reinforce public confidence in the Air Force and demonstrate to the public the professional competence of Air Force personnel; strengthen morale and esprit de corps among Air Force people; support Air Force community relations and people-to-people programs; and represent the United States and its armed forces to foreign nations, projecting international goodwill.

The Thunderbirds Airshow Production Service contract was awarded through a competitive procurement process at Air Combat Command. The Air Force has forwarded the concerns raised about that process to proper higher authorities for their review.