The United States Air Force ‘Thunderbirds’ Air Demonstration Squadron was formed in 1953. The T-38’s pictured here were the fifth type of aircraft to be used by the team, following the F-4 Phantom. Interestingly, all six of the T-38 formation team used the same amount of fuel as one F-4 so it was no surprise that the team switched to the t-38 in gas starved 1974 even though it wasn’t a traditional front line fighter traditionally be selected by the team.

Tragically, it was during the winter training season of 1982 that the four aircraft of the Diamond formation were lost in a training accident in the desert while practicing for the upcoming season. The Air show tour was cancelled that year and in the following season the team switched to the F-16’s that they fly today.