No matter where you are in the world, air demonstration teams have a knack for captivating both aviation enthusiasts and the general public at airshows and major events. In the United States, one of the standout teams is the USAF Air Demonstration Squadron, better known as the Thunderbirds. This squadron serves as the public face of the United States Air Force and holds the title of the third-oldest team of its kind globally, following the French Air Force’s Patrouille de France and the US Navy’s Blue Angels. Recently, the Thunderbirds found themselves in a bit of a predicament when videos surfaced suggesting one of their jets caused a sonic boom over Chicago last week.
The Thunderbirds were in Chicago as part of their packed 2025 display schedule, performing at the Chicago Air & Water Show on August 16 and 17. They also took to the skies on August 15 for a practice run. During this rehearsal, reports emerged that one of the aircraft might have broken the sound barrier, with Fox News noting that three buildings in Lake View East had their windows shattered by two sonic booms. While a USAF spokesperson denied that the jets went supersonic, local expert Matthew Clarke disagreed, pointing out that the videos clearly show shock waves, indicating parts of the aircraft may have exceeded the speed of sound.
The Thunderbirds’ immense popularity means that even their practice sessions draw a crowd, and this incident was no exception. Numerous spectators captured the sonic boom on video, adding to the intrigue. Some clips show jets flying at seemingly low speeds, causing confusion about the source of the boom. However, other footage reveals a solo aircraft flying lower and faster, unmistakably producing the classic signs of supersonic flight. While commercial supersonic flights have been banned in the US since 1972 due to noise and property damage concerns, military jets are still allowed to break the sound barrier under certain conditions.
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Originally reported by Simple Flying Read More
