Goldsboro, N.C. – The roar of jet engines and the spectacle of high-speed aerial precision may be what audiences remember most from the U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds air show, but for Major Tyler “Slasher” Clark, Thunderbird No. 4 and the team’s slot pilot, the true magic lies in the preparation, teamwork, and trust that bring those moments to life.

Every year from March through November, the Thunderbirds wow crowds across the country, performing in more than 30 locations. But long before the first loop or roll, there’s an intense training season that starts in November at Nellis Air Force Base in Las Vegas. “We begin with basic formations and maneuvers, gradually closing the gaps between jets until we’re flying just 18 inches apart at over 500 miles per hour,” said Clark.

Clark, who flew the F-15C for nearly a decade and now pilots the F-16 Fighting Falcon with the Thunderbirds, describes the team’s training as a “walk-crawl-run” process. “It’s building blocks. Over time, we start introducing chunks of the air show, perfecting maneuvers in phases until the full routine comes together.”

Though the aerial displays appear effortless to the crowd, Clark emphasized the complexity behind every maneuver. “We call it ‘blind trust.’ It’s not assumed — it’s earned. Every pilot listens to the Boss on the radio, responding to exact syllables that signal precise actions. That’s how we fly in perfect unison.”

Mistakes, or “safeties” as they’re known internally, are part of the process. “Flying is inherently dangerous,” Clark said. “We nitpick every maneuver during our debriefs to identify what went right, what didn’t, and how to do it better next time. That’s what keeps us safe.”

Clark is currently in his second and final year with the Thunderbirds, a role typically reserved for experienced combat aviators with over 1,200 hours of flight time. His path started at the U.S. Air Force Academy, followed by pilot training and a career in the active-duty Air Force and Air National Guard.

Despite the grueling travel schedule — waking up in a different hotel every weekend — Clark says the mission is deeply fulfilling. “The goal is never perfection, but always striving for it. Watching the team grow, seeing the progress, and sharing it with my family — that’s what makes it worthwhile.”

Public outreach is also a key part of the Thunderbirds’ mission. From school visits to enlistment ceremonies on show days, the team connects with communities and inspires the next generation. “I actually had the chance to enlist a young man into the Air National Guard after mentoring him — that’s something I’ll never forget.”

For Clark, the impact is personal. “I was five or six when I saw my first Thunderbirds show. I’ll never forget seeing the pilot step out of the jet and thinking, ‘That could be me.’ Now, I hope to give that same moment to someone else.”

From showcasing Air Force capabilities to forming lifelong connections, the Thunderbirds do far more than dazzle in the skies. “It’s about bringing people together to serve a purpose greater than ourselves,” Clark said. “Whether it’s the military, your job, or your community — that’s the takeaway.”