Media invited to cover 'Hometown Hero' flight with Thunderbirds

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DAVIS-MONTHAN AIR FORCE BASE, Ariz. --  Dr. Bryan Foulk, recently designated as Pima County's "Hometown Hero," is scheduled to take off from the D-M runway at 2 p.m. March 18 for his backseat ride in a U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds F-16 Fighting Falcon.

Dr. Foulk, a local dentist and longtime Tucson resident, was selected from a pool of 17 nominees for the Thunderbirds' Hometown Hero program. His extensive service to the community and professional altruism were cited as reasons for his selection.

"The 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," said Capt. Jason McCree, Thunderbirds public affairs officer.

According to his nomination package, Dr. 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 Kids in Need Foundation and still serves on its board. The foundation clothes and feeds more than 120 needy children from kindergarten to fifth grade every year.

As a dentist, Dr. 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.

Media opportunities with Dr. Foulk include the following: going through standard briefings with the pilot; getting fitted in his flight suit; strapping into the jet; jet's takeoff and landing; exiting the jet; and post-flight interviews.

General information about the Thunderbirds is available at http://thunderbirds.airforce.com/.

Interested media should call the 355th Fighter Wing Public Affairs office at 228-3407 no later than noon Wednesday, March 17. Showtime(s) at Craycroft Gate Visitors' Center will be no earlier than 11 a.m. and no later than 1:15 p.m. on Thursday. Specific timeframes will be coordinated case-by-case, depending on RSVP's and availability of PA personnel.