Lt. Col. Kevin Walsh, Thunderbird #1/Commander/Leader, salutes Master Sgt. Santiago Sanchez,Tactical Aircraft Maintenance Flight Chief, during a "shake and bake" prior to his first flight as "Boss" Dec. 20 on Nellis Air Force Base, Nev. Thunderbird pilots must adhere to a strict syllabus before the team can perform for fans across the globe. (U.S. Air Force photo/Tech. Sgt. Christopher Boitz)