Thunderbirds to Fly Local Dentist with Hometown Hero flight

  • Published
  • By 355th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
  • 355th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
DAVIS-MONTHAN AIR FORCE BASE, Ariz. --  A local man will strap into a red, white and blue F-16C Fighting Falcon March 18, here when the United States Air Force Air Demonstration Squadron Thunderbirds come to town.

Base officials announced March 8 that Dr. Bryan Foulk, local dentist and longtime Tucson resident, was selected as Pima County's "Hometown Hero," highlighting his extensive service to the community.

"America's Airmen face extraordinary challenges around the world in defense of our freedoms," said Capt. Jason McCree, Thunderbirds public affairs officer. "The Hometown Hero program allows us to highlight similar efforts of extraordinary Americans who are doing their part in their communities and displaying the same pride, excellence and service that our Airmen show every day."

According to his nomination package, Mr. Foulk, dedicates his free time and resources to multiple organizations, including several efforts to help youth in need. Twenty three years ago he founded the KIN Foundation (Kids in Need) in which he still serves on the board. The foundation clothes and feeds 120 needy children from kindergarten to fifth grade every year.

As a dentist, Mr. Foulk has been volunteering his time for the last 23 years at St. Elizabeth's of Hungary Dental Clinic, which provides medical and dental care to the uninsured and underserved in the Tucson community.

A private pilot himself, Mr. Foulk clarified that he doesn't think his Cessna "can do quite the same things as an F-16.

"I've never pulled more than three and a half G's - and that was a mistake," he said, smiling.

While many get excited about the opportunity to soar through the skies with America's premier aerial demonstration team, it's an opportunity for everyday people to see what goes on behind the scenes in the Air Force and to show the pride of the nearly 700,000 active-duty, Air National Guard, Air Force Reserve and civilian Airmen serving in the Air Force today.

"The program shows not only the skill and training of Air Force pilots, but the precision, training and attention to detail required to keep America's Air Force the most advanced and respected air, space, and cyberspace force in the world," said Captain McCree.

To learn more about the air show, go to www.dm.af.mil and click on the Aerospace and Arizona Days button.