Movies

Thunderbirds: Fly or Die! Behind the Scenes of the Air Force’s Elite!

BBG News

On May 23, a documentary about elite Air Force pilots will take flight.

Air Force Elite: Thunderbirds showcases exceptionally talented fighter pilots from the United States Air Force on Netflix, who prepare for thrilling air shows across the nation. These performances aim to foster a favorable perception of their military branch. The documentary is executive produced by former President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama.

Approximately 135 individuals make up the dynamic Thunderbird team, and they participate in around 65 to 75 shows each year, spanning a period of approximately 210 days. The popularity of this team is on the rise; applications to join have more than doubled since 2020.

The Thunderbirds, who are part of the Air Force, view air shows not just as an opportunity to recruit, but primarily as a means to motivate individuals to aspire for greater achievements in various areas of their lives.

Lieutenant Colonel Justin ‘Astro’ Elliott, the leader of the Thunderbirds, believes that by structuring the team properly, you can establish a climate that motivates individuals not just from our country but worldwide to perform extraordinary deeds for the right purposes,” he says in the documentary.

Film crews accompanied the 2023 Thunderbirds squad during their preparations in the Nevada desert and performances throughout the nation, capturing insights from their experiences that are universally applicable to jobs or any stage of life. Here’s a glimpse into the valuable lessons the Thunderbirds have gleaned through their work.

How a Thunderbird pilot explains his job to his family

In the document, Elliott, who is nicknamed “Thunderbird 1” by his teammates, has 60 days to ready his squad for 62 air shows; a period he refers to as “45 minutes of complete mayhem.

Ever since he was young, Elliott harbored dreams of becoming an astronaut. However, during the application phase, he was offered the chance to lead the Thunderbirds, which seemed too good to refuse. This offer proved irresistible for him.

Beyond tagging along with him at his workplace, filmmakers also had the opportunity to observe Elliott in his domestic life with his two sons, Declan and Revan. One morning, as he was leaving for work, Victoria, his wife, gave him a heartfelt hug and said, “Be careful, don’t get hurt.” Her primary concern being the risky nature of his job, Elliott replied, “It’s crucial for our children to witness us establish goals and strive for them in the pursuit of something greater than ourselves.

What keeps Thunderbird pilots going

Thunderbird Eric “Miami” Tise talks about the need for speed.

Tise notes that there’s a constant sense of urgency in their line of work, which fuels adrenaline and sharpens focus. Ejecting from an aircraft can be risky and emotionally taxing. On one occasion, Tise experienced a loss of height after ejecting from a plane. The ejections have also caused his muscles to shrink and harden, resulting in muscular knots forming in his back over time.

Some of the Thunderbird pilots flying high had to overcome serious obstacles on the ground. 

As a cinephile, I, Zachary “Zeke” Taylor, share my personal story about my father’s battle with drug addiction. I remember vividly the heart-wrenching scene of him being admitted to rehab on Christmas Day when I was just a freshman in high school. That moment, standing there amidst the holiday cheer, struck me profoundly: “I don’t want this path for myself.

In simpler terms, Taylor’s grandfather acted like a guiding presence for him, and he advised Taylor to always glance towards the right side when boarding a plane, believing that his spirit would be there with him. As Taylor reminisces about this moment, he shares that from now on, whenever he ascends (like climbing a ladder), he’ll look out at his right wing and say, “Hey grandpa, hold tight. It’s going to be quite an exciting journey.

As Zeke welcomes young children attending an air show, he says, “I grew up in a trailer park in Florida… I’m a living testament that you can overcome any obstacle in life.

Why a fallen Thunderbird’s mom has no regrets

For aviation crews, the risks associated with navigating intricate flight formations remain a constant concern. This apprehension is fueled by a tragic incident in 1982, where four aircraft unexpectedly plummeted towards the ground at approximately 400 miles per hour, resulting in the loss of all onboard personnel.

As a movie enthusiast, I’d rephrase it like this: “In this film, I come across deeply emotional interviews with the parents of Stephen ‘Cajun’ Del Bagno, who tragically passed away in 2018 following the final fatal accident involving a Thunderbird pilot. At just 34 years old, he met his end during a routine training flight after experiencing a sudden loss of consciousness in the cockpit.

In the movie, it’s mentioned that he had an early passion for aviation, as his very first word was ‘airplane.’ Additionally, his father Joe uses his son’s golf clubs to play a round, creating a sense of shared experience between them.

Del Bagno’s parents expressed their unwavering backing for his risky occupation since they understood it was fulfilling his lifelong dream. In Cajun’s mother Cindy’s words, “If you don’t have the courage to step out, to embrace risks in life, you’ll wind up accomplishing nothing.

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2025-05-24 04:06

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