NETFLIX DOCUMENTARY, AIR FORCE ELITE: THUNDERBIRDS TAKES VIEWERS BEHIND THE SCENES
When most people think of fighter pilots, they imagine fast jets, loud engines, and incredible stunts. But really, there’s more behind the scenes.
Being a top U.S. Air Force pilot takes skills, discipline, and really great physical and mental strength.
If you haven’t heard, Netflix is giving us an inside look into that world with a brand-new documentary: Air Force Elite: Thunderbirds, streaming on Friday, May 23, 2025.
Just a Spoiler Alert
Let’s get one thing straight: Air Force Elite: Thunderbirds is not a typical military film. Yes, you’ll see jets flying through the skies, but the thing is, the real story is happening on the ground inside the training rooms, briefing sessions, and the quiet moments between flights.
The film is focused on a two-month period where new Thunderbird pilots must train, practice, and prove they’re ready for the demonstration season.
Not what you’re expecting? Yes, definitely not.
So it’s not a slow process, because these pilots are expected to learn over thirty complicated aerial maneuvers in just 60 days. Yes, just 60 days, which is just a short period of time.
The Thunderbirds have to be confident, consistent, and calm under pressure because that’s one of the basic skills they should have to become part of the team.
Not only that but they also need to earn the trust of the commanding officer, Lt. Col. Justin Elliott, who has the final say on who gets certified to perform for the public.
Who Are the People Behind the Helmets?
The Thunderbirds include eight pilots and about 130 enlisted airmen who manage the aircraft, perform repairs, and make sure everything is ready before each flight. Without them, the show doesn’t happen.
Each of the pilots will serve for 2 years, which means there will be a constant cycle of training and replacement of team members.
Every winter, the new pilots come and begin their training. What’s the most intense part of it all?
They need to make sure that they master precision flying, build trust with their teammates, and meet the high standards set by the squadron.
Lt. Col. Elliott leads the team with steady confidence, but one of the standout figures in the film is Maj. Lauren “Threat” Schlichting, the training officer, plays a big role in guiding the new pilots through a really intense training program.
Just a reminder, they are real people, and the Thunderbirds have a 10% fatality rate, with 21 members having died in the line of duty, so their stories are a huge part of the Thunderbirds’ legacy.
What Does a Pilot’s Journey Look Like?
Training to become a Thunderbird is extremely difficult, worse than anybody can imagine. The maneuvers require exact timing, perfect control, and full concentration.
One of the most famous moves they have is the “Diamond Pass-In-Review,” which has four jets flying just 18 inches apart at speeds close to the speed of sound.
Another move, the “Opposing Hit,” has 2 jets flying directly toward each other at more than 1,000 miles per hour. They turn at the last moment to avoid crashing.
The “High Bomb Burst,” a dramatic ending to their air shows, is one of the most dangerous moves they do.
Their bodies feel many times heavier than normal, so they have to stay calm, alert, and aware of their surroundings, and the key to all of it is trust. They actually live by the phrase, “Blind Trust,” as they believe that their team will fly exactly as they should.
Air Force Elite: Thunderbirds Is a Must Watch
This documentary touches everyone’s hearts because it really shows the human side of the Thunderbirds.
By watching, we’ll learn that flying is amazing, but it’s also showing us the real struggles of the pilots that, in real life, we don’t get to see.
It shows us real emotional moments on the ground, and you don’t even have to be a fan of aviation to enjoy this film, because just by watching, you’ll appreciate the dedication, the teamwork, and the Thunderbirds’ drive to be the best of them all.
Air Force Elite: Thunderbirds is indeed a powerful and inspiring look at what it means to chase perfection, and it’s basically a reminder that behind every perfect performance that the Air Force is trained for, their lives also depend on it.
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