The U.S. Air Force Air Demonstration Squadron, a.k.a. the Thunderbirds, buzzed shuttle Endeavour on launch pad 39A at Kennedy Space Center today.
Flying its famed four-aircraft diamond formation with another flying solo, the Thunderbirds made two passes by the pad around 10:15 a.m. EST, or about an hour after the Rotating Service Structure was moved around Endeavour to provide access to workers while protecting the ship from inclimate weather. The shuttle reached the pad just before sun-up after an overnight move from the Vehicle Assembly Building.
The Thunderbirds fly F-16 Fighting Falcon aircraft manufactured by Lockheed Martin. The highly maneuverable air-to-air combat fighter also serves as a tactical bomber. The aircraft carries a smoke-generating system in place of a 20mm cannon.
IMAGE NOTE: Click to enlarge and save the FLORIDA TODAY photo of the Air Force Thunderbirds flying by shuttle Endeavour at launch pad 39A today. Photo credit: Michael R. Brown, FLORIDA TODAY.
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