A Friendship Forged In Revolution Soars Above Wallops Island In Historic 250 Celebration

WALLOPS ISLAND, Va. — A friendship forged in revolution took to the skies over Virginia as the Patrouille de France flew in formation with the U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds to help celebrate America’s 250th birthday.

The joint performance highlighted a partnership between France and the United States that stretches back to the American Revolution, while underscoring the importance of maintaining those ties today.

The roar of jet engines echoed across the tarmac at NASA’s Wallops Flight Facility as heat shimmered behind the aircraft preparing for flight. Thunderbird 8, Maj. Samuel Larson, call sign “RaZZ,” said this year’s airshow celebrates more than aviation.

“To think back 250 years ago and how far we’ve come since then, all the adversity we’ve faced in those 250 years and the partnership we’ve had and how that partnership has grown between our two nations,” Larson said.

That history gives the performance special meaning. For the Thunderbirds, Larson said, the demonstration is also an opportunity to recognize the service members deployed around the world who answer the nation’s call to duty.

“It always means a lot to us, but especially on this year, as America’s team, getting to represent that red, white and blue and hopefully going out there and inspiring and giving people some hope for the future,” Larson said.

Patrouille de France is known across Europe for its precision flying and the blue, white and red smoke trails that stream behind its aircraft.

“For us, it’s an honor to be here,” Capt. Thomas said. “We are very lucky to share the sky with the Thunderbirds here, and we are very excited to fly together, to share what we are able to do because we share these stories. So it’s very nice for us.”

The relationship between the two countries dates to the Revolutionary War, when French support helped the American colonies secure independence.

“Most of the time we are very hurried in our lives, and now it’s time, I think, to share our history,” Thomas said. “We share the same feelings in the sky — the same freedom, liberty. When we are flying, and when we are just meeting each other, we know what we do, and it is very special. We don’t have to speak very long words or long sentences to know what you are going to feel when we arrive with these beautiful jets. That’s why I think we are a community. It’s incredible because it’s an international community as a pilot.”

Larson said the participation of the French demonstration team made the milestone even more meaningful.

“The fact that this aligned and that the French team made the trek all the way over here to help us celebrate this milestone and this birthday for our nation just really means a lot,” Larson said.