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 You obviously don’t know what happens to a bird that is withdrawn from the fleet and sent to the Blues.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
That’s great Air Force PR kool aid which, as usual, doesn’t have much to do with reality. Those pilots still need to be requal’d on ordinance delivery which will take much longer than 72 hours.