LAS CRUCES, N.M. (March 6, 2025) – In preparation for another packed performance schedule in 2025, the United States Air Force Air Demonstration Squadron "Thunderbirds" once again spent the better part of January honing their collective skills at Spaceport America.

For nearly three weeks in January, the Thunderbirds, comprised of 12 officers and over 130 enlisted personnel serving in 31 Air Force job specialties utilized the spaceport to log dozens of hours of training.

"This is now the fourth time the USAF Thunderbirds have been on site to train since January 2022, and we continue to be honored to serve as their hosts," said New Mexico Spaceport Authority (NMSA) Executive Director Scott McLaughlin. "We are happy they understand the unique benefits that Spaceport America has to offer for the aerospace community," McLaughlin added.

Although the Thunderbirds' team flies six F-16 Fighting Falcons, the Air Force's premier multi-role fighter aircraft, in the demonstration a total of nine such fighters were present at Spaceport America for the training period. The 2025 Thunderbirds team featured a trio of new pilots. Team members worked and trained together to perfect their demonstration display.

The relationship between Spaceport America and the Thunderbirds extends back to 2021 when, for the first time, the squadron trained outside of its home base at Nellis Air Force Base in preparation for the 2022 season. Thanks to the restricted airspace available at Spaceport America through its partner, the U.S. Army White Sands Missile Range, the Thunderbirds were able to practice challenging flying conditions and encounter time constraints they will likely encounter during their 2025 performance schedule.

Following their departure from Spaceport America on Friday, January 24, the Thunderbirds transitioned to their next phase of training at Edwards Air Force Base in Southern California. From there, the 2025 Thunderbirds team traveled to Daytona, Fla., where it started the 2025 performance season by performing a flyover at the Daytona 500 on Sunday, Feb. 16. It marked the 15th consecutive year the Thunderbirds performed a flyover at the event.

Spaceport America is the first purpose-built commercial spaceport in the world. The FAA-licensed launch complex, situated on 18,000 acres adjacent to the U.S. Army White Sands Missile Range in southern New Mexico, has a rocket-friendly environment of 6,000 square miles of restricted airspace, low population density, a 12,000-foot by 200-foot runway, vertical launch complexes, and about 340 days of sunshine and low humidity.

Some of the most respected companies in the commercial space industry are tenants at Spaceport America: Virgin Galactic, HAPSMobile/ AeroVironment, UP Aerospace, SpinLaunch, and Prismatic Ltd., a subsidiary of BAE Systems.

The USAF Thunderbirds are slated to perform over 60 demonstrations across 32 locations around the United States throughout 2025 which marks the 72nd year that the Thunderbirds will represent the U.S. Air Force.

Since 1953, this legendary team has served as America's premier air demonstration squadron, entrusted with the vital mission to recruit, retain and inspire past, present and future Airmen. While the faces of the team and the aircraft have changed over the decades, what has not changed is its dedication to representing the greatest Air Force on the planet.

The Thunderbirds represent the pride, precision and professionalism of 695,000 total force American Airmen, 68,000 of whom are deployed around the globe protecting our nation. Despite its polished appearance and unique attire, the team onlookers see today remains combat-ready, many having served in harm's way defending the interests of the United States.

The Thunderbirds are about more than air shows; they demonstrate what the highest level of teamwork can accomplish and inspire millions to reach for their dreams and be the best version of themselves.

This year the team embarked on its third-ever training trip prior to show season at Spaceport America in southern N.M. and Edwards Air Force Base in Edwards, Calif. The historic trip resulted in the team flying approximately 1,500 flying hours. The 2025 Thunderbirds, as a squadron, have obtained an amount of preparation and preparedness that's unmatched in the team's history.