F-4E Phantom II USAF ThunderbirdsF 4E Phantom Thunderbirds airplane model. The U. S. Air Force Air Demonstration Squadron, the Thunderbirds, performs precision aerial maneuvers demonstrating the capabilities of Air Force high performance aircraft to people throughout the world. The squadron exhibits the professional qualities the Air Force develops in the people who fly, maintain and support these aircraft. From 1969 to 1973, the Thunderbirds flew the Air Force's front line fighter,