Interview by Paul Salfen
The U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds, a symbol of precision, teamwork, and American pride, have thrilled audiences worldwide since their formation in 1953. In Netflix’s AIR FORCE ELILTE: THUNDERBIRDS Air Force Elite: Thunderbirds, directed by acclaimed filmmaker Matt Wilcox and featuring insights from Colonel Justin “Astro” Elliott, the squadron’s daring performances and human stories take center stage. In a lively conversation with host Paul Salfen, Wilcox and Elliott reveal the challenges, inspirations, and triumphs behind the documentary, offering a window into the Thunderbirds’ enduring legacy.
A Legacy of Excellence
Formed during the Korean War, the Thunderbirds were created to inspire unity and showcase American excellence in divided times. “The entire purpose of the team was to unite and give people a beacon of excellence to look up to,” says Colonel Elliott, Chief of Current Operations for NORAD and former Thunderbird commander. With jets painted in patriotic red, white, and blue, the team performs jaw-dropping maneuvers, flying just 18 inches apart at speeds approaching 1,000 miles per hour. “You’re microseconds from a life-threatening situation,” Elliott notes, underscoring the precision and trust required.
Elliott, the only person to complete the Air Force’s elite trio of programs—USAF Weapons School, Test Pilot School, and the Thunderbirds—brings a unique perspective. A Yale mechanical engineering graduate who joined ROTC in 2005, he flew 255 combat hours in Afghanistan and nearly 3,000 hours across 33 aircraft types as an experimental test pilot. His path to the cockpit was a “Hail Mary” moment: initially disqualified due to poor eyesight, he seized a last-minute policy change allowing laser surgery. “I got the surgery within days and picked up that pilot slot,” he recalls. “It was a leap of faith.”
Capturing the Thunder
Matt Wilcox, co-founder of Blue Ox Films and a self-taught filmmaker, spent four years crafting this documentary. After earning an engineering degree from Oregon State University, Wilcox pivoted to storytelling, working with brands like Nike and the NBA to capture tales of elite performance. “This project was my Hail Mary,” he says, reflecting on the grueling process of filming high-speed jets and navigating funding challenges. “It would have been easy to quit many times, but belief fueled me.”
Wilcox aimed to go beyond the spectacle, focusing on the Thunderbirds’ human element. “It’s normal people struggling to put something incredible together,” he explains. The film captures the team’s camaraderie and “blind trust,” where pilots rely on each other to execute maneuvers flawlessly. “If you don’t have that trust, the show won’t work,” Elliott emphasizes, describing how wingmen focus solely on the lead jet, sometimes flying blind to the ground or sky.
A Timely Inspiration
Shot in the post-pandemic era, the documentary arrives at a pivotal moment. “It’s positive content and the push behind America we need right now,” Salfen observes. Elliott agrees, noting the Thunderbirds’ role in fostering trust in institutions through transparency. Wilcox adds, “Being around this team is a feeling of inspiration, aspiration, and hope. I’m proud we captured that.”
For aspiring filmmakers, Wilcox’s advice is simple: “There are no secrets. Put your feet on the ground with the character, seek the truth, and live and breathe with them.” Elliott’s message resonates beyond the military: “Whatever your passion is, pursue it. Put one foot in front of the other. If you look too far ahead, it seems impossible, but do one real thing at a time.”
A Call to Aspire
Air Force Elite: Thunderbirds is more than a showcase of aerial prowess; it’s a tribute to teamwork, resilience, and the pursuit of excellence. As Wilcox and Elliott reflect on their journeys—Wilcox’s four-year odyssey and Elliott’s leap of faith into the cockpit—the film inspires viewers to chase their own dreams. “This is a team that puts it all on the line for our country,” Wilcox says, “and I hope Americans feel as inspired as I did.”
Available on Netflix, Air Force Elite: Thunderbirds is a soaring testament to the power of belief, trust, and hard work. As Salfen puts it, “Congratulations on this one. I’LL Tell everyone to check it out.”
