On This Day in History / October 28, 2024 1959: Through 19 December, the 4520th Aerial Demonstration Team, better known as the Thunderbirds, toured the Far East flying the North American F-100 Super Sabre. This goodwill tour earned the team the Mackay Trophy.The Thunderbirds began flying the F-100C in June 1956, which gave the team supersonic capability. This switch was accompanied by a relocation of their headquarters to Nellis AFB, Nevada. It also signaled a shift in their performance routine—for example, the Cuban Eight opening routine was dropped, and emphasis was placed on low, screaming flyovers and demonstrations of takeoff performance.