History

The Outfit history project done by the class of 2011 their fish year:

Intensity. Pride. Perseverance. Integrity. Honor. Unity. These are the values that have come to be expected from the Thunderbirds of Squadron Three, as they are known today.  A commitment to scholastic excellence, an emphasis on unity and camaraderie and high levels of involvement on the university and corps level, comprise the qualities the T-birds have made a way of life.  These key leadership qualities help Thunderbird Three maintain their motto of “Only the Best.”  Moreover, the Thunderbirds would not be where they are today without their deep roots in the Corps since approximately 1923.

According to the outfit genealogy, generously provided by the Corps of Cadets Association, it all began when the first Air Unit was introduced to the Corps in 1923, known as “1st Flight, A.”‘  Around this same time, William G. Harding was president, the 19th Amendment passed, allowing women to vote, and automobiles, radios and movies became popular, thus shrinking the once seemingly vast U.S.  Additionally, this time period saw the greatest number of cadets in the Corps.  The CCA reports that in 1919, the Corps consisted of 1,383 cadets, growing to 5,500 by 1939.  Then, in 1948, “1st Flight,A’” and “2nd Flight”   split up into “A Flight” through “F Flight,” which did not last long before reforming into units known as “A Air Force”, “B Air Force”, “C Air Force”, etc. through “E Air Force” that same year.  At this point in the Corps, the Air Force units begin to form into distinctive Squadrons, bringing us back to the question of where Thunderbird Three fits into this scheme of things.

Thrashin-3

By the 1950s, Squadrons A and B split into several Squadrons, but only five can proudly boast that they directly contributed to the legacy that is Thunderbird Three.  At this point, in the 1950s, Squadron Three was only an outfit of fish, so needless to say, they had a lot to learn and improve upon.  Nevertheless, other outfits that Squadron Three can trace it’s roots back to, in this time period, include Squadron “Runner” One, Squadron Four “Four Aces,” Squadron “Filthy Fifth,” Squadron “Hellcat” Nine and “Viking” Seventeen of the 1980s.  As the years went by, outfits experience changes and challenges as the Corps entered new territory by opening it’s doors to female cadets in 1974.  Squadron “Runner” One of the 1960s evolved into “Huslin’ One” by 1993 and when they were disbanded in 1999, many of it’s members joined together to form the Thunderbirds.  Additionally, the Squadron Four “Four Aces” of the 1960’s morphed into “Phantom” Four by 1974, with dissatisfied members choosing to transfer to Thunderbird Three as transitions were made.  When Squadron “Filthy Fifth” was disbanded in 1986, after a 26 year reign, they were reincarnated into “Avenger” 5 in 1991 before falling out of the Corps’ ranks in 1999 with it’s members joining together with those of “Huslin’ One” to ultimately form Thunderbird Three.  And last but not least, as the Hellcats of Squadron 9 grew to become “Panther” Nine by 1986, members transfered to Avenger 5.  As for the fish of Squadron Three, they grew to become Squadron “BC” (named after a popular cartoon of the time) from 1960-1986, before establishing themselves as “Thrashin’” Three in the fall of 1986, boasting a reaper logo that dared to be compared to.  History proved a test of time as “Thrashin’” Three was disbanded and returned from the dead in the form of the prestigious Thunderbird Three in 1999.  The reincarnated squadron’s members joined up from the terminated ranks of “Huslin’” One and “Avenger” 5, one of the precursors of Thunderbird Three.  The Thunderbirds have been on a steady, determined trail of success ever since 1999 and do not intend to slow down anytime soon.

“We few, we happy few, we band of brothers, for he today, who sheds his blood with me, shall be my brother.” (Shakespeare, Henry IV) “The firmest friendships have been formed in mutual adversity as iron is most strongly welded by the fiercest fire.”  These are the finite principles that Squadron Three makes a part of their everyday lives and challenges all to do so well.

Squadron 3