Thunderbirds return to Edwards AFB for winter training Published Jan. 21, 2026 By Laisa Leao 412th Test Wing Public Affairs EDWARDS AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- The U.S. Air Force Air Demonstration Squadron, the Thunderbirds, are scheduled to return to the skies above Edwards Air Force Base for their annual winter training Jan. 26. This tradition hones their breathtaking aerial maneuvers and ground procedures before they embark on their demanding show season. The roar of the six F-16 Fighting Falcons is a familiar sound in the Mojave Desert as the team perfects its demonstration. This training is a critical period for the pilots and the enlisted support teams who work to ensure a flawless and safe performance for millions of spectators worldwide. The Air Force Air Demonstration Squadron "Thunderbirds" train at Edwards Air Force Base, California, in Jan. 2024. The Thunderbirds practice at Edwards AFB every year during winter, which allows the team to rehearse the show prior to kickstarting the season in March. (Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Dakota Carter) For some on the team, the return to Edwards is a homecoming. The base is home to the prestigious Air Force Test Pilot School, which has produced some of the nation's top aviators. The demanding curriculum of the Test Pilot School prepares pilots for the precision and skill required to sharpen American airpower and to be a Thunderbird. Graduates of the school are often sought after for their extensive knowledge of aircraft systems and flight characteristics. While not all Thunderbird pilots are graduates of the Test Pilot School, the team's presence at Edwards provides a unique synergy. One example of a Test Pilot School graduate on the team is Maj. Bryce Turner, the opposing solo pilot, flying the No. 6 jet. Before joining the Thunderbirds, Turner served as the T-7A chief test pilot at Edwards, a role that placed him at the forefront of testing the Air Force's next-generation trainer aircraft. Another example is former Thunderbird Commander Lt. Col. Justin Elliott, also a Test Pilot School graduate, who returned to Edwards in the past to perform in an airshow. Following their training at Edwards and other locations, the Thunderbirds will begin their 2026 performance season with a flyover at the Daytona 500, a tradition that marks the start of their tour across the country and the world. Flight line photography is prohibited without prior authorization. Winter training is not open to the public.