USAF Thunderbirds Team Member Profiles

Gen. Merrill A. McPeak, USAF (ret.)

General McPeak has served as chief of staff of the U.S. Air Force, Washington, D.C. As chief, he served as the senior uniformed Air Force officer responsible for the organization. He was a solo pilot for the USAF Air Demonstration Squadron "Thunderbirds" during the 1966-68 seasons.

Maj. Gen. Richard C. "Dick" Catledge, USAF (ret.)

In 1953, Dick Catledge became the first leader of the United States Air Force Demonstration Squadron, known as the “Thunderbirds”.

Gen. Lloyd W. "Fig" Newton, USAF (ret.)

General Newton, among his many accomplishments, was the first pilot of African American descent to fly with the United States Air Force Thunderbirds team.

Col. Jacksel M. "Jack" Broughton, USAF (ret.)

From October 1954 to February 1957 Broughton commanded the Thunderbirds, the USAF aerial demonstration team, leading them through the transition from the straight-wing F-84G to the swept-wing F-84F, and then to become the world's first supersonic acrobatic team in the F-100C Super Sabre.