A new Netflix documentary will take viewers behind the scenes and into the cockpits with some of the best U.S. Air Force combat pilots—just in time for Memorial Day weekend.
Debuting on May 23, “Air Force Elite: Thunderbirds” will chronicle the air service branch’s premier flight team as they take on three new pilots for the 2023 demonstration season.
“For the first time ever, go inside the cockpit with the U.S. Air Force’s legendary flight squadron, The Thunderbirds, and witness the unprecedented training, peril, and personal sacrifice it takes to push the limits of aviation as a member of one of America’s most revered demonstration teams,” the logline reads.
The 90-minute film, directed by Matt Wilcox, follows the pilots over the course of 60 days as they train to meet their certification deadline with the help of the squadron’s commander and formation leader, Lt. Col. Justin “Astro” Elliott, and training officer, Maj. Lauren “Threat” Schlichting.
“From intimate personal conversations to heart-stopping flight sequences at 1,000 miles an hour, this documentary centers on the brave men and women behind the throttle while never shying away from the brutal truth: Being a Thunderbird is dangerous, and putting service above self means you must be willing to pay the ultimate price,” the synopsis says.
Formed in 1953, the Thunderbirds showcase their precision aerial maneuvers at air shows and flyovers around the world, demonstrating the incredible capabilities of the F-16 Fighting Falcon and the U.S. Air Force at large. The squadron performs 75 demonstrations each season, spanning March to November each year.
In a statement, Wilcox said he drew inspiration for the film from childhood memories of the many air shows he attended with his father.
“The Thunderbirds were the main event. As a kid, you can’t help but look up at these planes dancing in the sky and be overwhelmed with wonder. And while the jets and flying have a natural draw, it’s the folks flying them where the real story starts,” the director said.
“I wanted to bring the everyday person inside the cockpit to experience the high-octane thrill, but more importantly, showcase the discipline, values, and character that make these men and women so unique. That’s the source of the true inspiration.”
