Incorrect. You obviously don’t know what happens to a bird that is withdrawn from the fleet and sent to the Blues. The amount of gear that is removed from the aircraft to lighten it up and render it a noncombat capable bird. Not to mention the requalifying that the pilots would have to undergo at Fallon to be cleared to deliver ordinance along with day and night carrier traps, etc. As only one example check into what happened in 1990 when then Major Chase Moseley USMC requested orders back to the FMF so he could participate in Desert Shield/Desert Storm.
Incorrect. You obviously don’t know what happens to a bird that is withdrawn from the fleet and sent to the Blues.
I didn't mention the "Blues". You did. I was speaking of the US Air Force Thunderbirds. See post #362.
You may have some good ammo there for a bar discussion at the Miramar O'club, though. I'll keep that one in mind. Nothin' like being prepared for a likely episode of inter-service rivalry.
"In addition to their responsibilities as the official U.S. Air Force aerial demonstration team, the Thunderbirds are part of our combat force. If required, the team's personnel and aircraft can be rapidly integrated into a fighter unit at Nellis Air Force Base, Nev. Since the aircraft are only slightly modified, they can be made combat-ready in less than 72 hours."
U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds
Public Affairs Office
4445 Tyndall Ave.
Nellis AFB, NV 89191-6079
Smooth!