Graduation Week Update: Air Force Thunderbirds schedule practice, performance

U.S. Air Force Academy Public Affairs/May 22, 2017

The Air Force’s air demonstration team, the Thunderbirds, are scheduled to perform May 24 at the end of the graduation ceremony for the Air Force Academy’s Class of 2017.

The Thunderbirds will practice their full performance 11 a.m.-noon, May 23, over Falcon Stadium, weather allowing.

The team’s graduation day performance start-time depends on the timing with the end-of-ceremony hat toss, but is expected to take place at approximately 12:30 p.m. The performance will last approximately 30 minutes.

Some roads at the Academy will be closed for safety during the Thunderbird’s practice and graduation day performance. These closures are mandated by the Federal Aviation Administration to ensure the performance area is free of all personnel.

The public is reminded not to stop along Interstate 25 to watch the performances.

Visit www.afthunderbirds.com and www.usafa.edu/about/traditions/graduation for more information.