The U.S. Air Force Demonstration Team "Thunderbirds" perform during the Salute to America Celebration, July 4, 2026. The capstone of America’s 250th anniversary brought hundreds of thousands of visitors to the Washington Monument grounds and surrounding areas for a full day of performances, flyovers, first time aerobatic demonstrations, and a live broadcast evening program. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. William O'Brien)
CAMERA
NIKON D5
LENS
70.0-200.0 mm f/2.8
APERTURE
63/10
SHUTTERSPEED
1/500
ISO
400
No camera details available.
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These images tell the story of a force forged in the pursuit of freedom. Across the decades captured here, Airmen have carried the nation's cause through open skies, into orbit, and across the digital frontier. Each frame is a glimpse of the dedication, courage, and skill that have defined the Department of the Air Force, from the propeller-driven pioneers of the Army Air Corps to the fifth-generation fighters and space capabilities of today. As America turns 250, this gallery honors the people and moments that have kept the promise of freedom flying.