So I saw the Snowbirds are retiring the CT-114 Tutors with CT-157 Siskins (PC-21s)

https://aviationweek.com/defense/light-attack-advanced-training/canada-commits-pc-21s-replace-snowbirds-team

and I knew their demo team came from all career communities in the RCAF, kinda has to because of the size of the RCAF and need to cast a wide net then.

So I thought with the T-7 eventually becoming the universal trainer for the USAF why not re-equip the Thunderbirds with T-7s, open the application to all MAJCOMs and build a demo team from the entire AF rated pilot communities?

Why?

Represents the whole of the Air Force better; inspires, motivates and invigorates new pilots to reach for this opportunity thus bettering their communities; reduces the stovepipe cultural problem across the rated force and invigorates the demo team as a concept with this new direction.

Yeah, there’s some staff guy writing in that paragraph but I think it would be a good thing just because you’re telling the other guys, we want you to represent the flying skills and traditions of the Air Force in this very important way.

Training, costs, risk, implementation and all factors are important but I argue here for the concept, not details.

I yield the floor…

Because noise

You clearly don't know what it takes to fly precision loops to Van Halen, while taking all the 60 series.

Ultimately we just won’t have the airframes. As we’ve done now for the last few dozen acquisition programs we’re going to build the absolute bare minimum number of T-7s and then ponder, along with the great mysteries of the universe, why small fleet dynamics are once again biting us in the ass.

Vipers were built in big numbers for their time and ludicrous numbers by today’s standards. Meaning.. they’re some of the most maintainable aircraft we have, and because of that, very low impact on the force to use to run a demo team.