An Orlando firefighter is being honored by the U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds following an act of heroism earlier this year.

The roar of the U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds engines could be heard around Walt Disney World Thursday morning.

Clayton Donnan was invited to fly with the U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds. The Thunderbirds selected him as their “Hometown Hero,” which is a program that honors deserving local people.

The 2022 Seminole County Public Schools teacher of the year will join the U.S. Air Force in flight on Friday.

The U.S. Air Force’s top two demonstration teams will take flight at the Cocoa Beach Air Show. The Thunderbirds will kick off their 2021 season at the show along with a performance from the F-22 Raptor Demo Team, air show officials said. The F-22 Raptor is the fastest and most maneuverable fighter jet in the world, according to officials with the air show. “Having the double headliner of the Thunderbirds and F-22 Raptor Demo will kick the destination appeal of the Cocoa Beach Air Show into afterburner.”Other air acts include the SOCOM Para-Commandos, the Douglas C-47 Tico Bell, Geico Skytypers and Mike Wiskus. Tickets are on sale now with early bird prices starting at $21 and will increase to $36 on the event day.

SANFORD, Fla. – Some of the best pilots in the world are in Central Florida this week. The world famous U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds soared into Orlando Sanford International Airport on Monday. The team will be the headliners of the Lockheed Martin Space and Air Show at the airport this Saturday and Sunday. Officials say one member of the team, Major Zane Taylor, is from the Orlando area and this weekend’s show will be his first over his hometown. General admission tickets range from $48.75 to $195.

NEW YORK CITY – Jets from Navy’s Blue Angels and the Air Force’s Thunderbirds flew over New York City on Tuesday in a tribute to the medical personnel, first responders and other essential workers involved in fighting the coronavirus pandemic. The planes from the two demonstration squadrons flew in formation over New York and Newark beginning at noon. The planes later flew over Trenton, New Jersey, and Philadelphia. “We are incredibly honored to have the opportunity to salute those working on the front line of the COVID-19 response. Brian Kesselring, U.S. Navy Blue Angels commanding officer and flight leader.

Military planes salute workers on front lines of coronavirus pandemic with NYC flyoverPublished: April 29, 2020, 8:07 amJets from Navy’s Blue Angels and the Air Force’s Thunderbirds flew over New York City on Tuesday in a tribute to the medical personnel, first responders and other essential workers involved in fighting the coronavirus pandemic.