'Hero of Deer Creek' flies with Thunderbirds

Amanda, Sandra, Alec and Marissa Benke watch as the Thunderbirds No. 7 jet taxies toward the runway at Peterson Air Force Base, Colo., with Dr. David Benke onboard. The U.S. Air Force Air Demonstration Squadron gave Dr. Benke a "Hometown Hero" incentive flight for his role in taking down an active shooter at Deer Creek Middle School in Littleton, Colo., in February. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Don Branum)

'Hero of Deer Creek' flies with Thunderbirds

Lt. Col. Derek Routt helps Dr. David Benke familiarize himself with the cockpit of the No. 7 Thunderbirds jet, an F-16 Fighting Falcon, on the flightline at Peterson Air Force Base, Colo., May 23, 2010. Colonel Routt flew Dr. Benke on a "Hometown Hero" incentive flight as a gesture of gratitude for Dr. Benke's actions taking down an active shooter at Deer Creek Middle School in Littleton, Colo., in February. The Thunderbirds are the U.S. Air Force Air Demonstration Squadron, based at Nellis AFB, Nev. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Don Branum)

'Hero of Deer Creek' flies with Thunderbirds

Tech. Sgt. Robbin Bailon fits Dr. David Benke into a pressurized flight suit at May 23, 2010, at Peterson Air Force Base, Colo. Dr. Benke received a "Hometown Hero" incentive flight with Thunderbirds U.S. Air Force Air Demonstration Squadron pilot Lt. Col. Derek Routt for tackling an active shooter at Deer Creek Middle School in February. Sergeant Bailon is an aircrew flight equipment technician with the Thunderbirds and a native of Kaneohe, Hawaii. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Don Branum)

Airmen renew enlistment oaths at Peterson AFB

Pilots with the Thunderbirds U.S. Air Force Air Demonstration Squadron congratulate Airmen on having renewed their oaths of enlistment on the flightline of Peterson Air Force Base, Colo., May 23, 2010. About 25 Airmen from bases in the Colorado Springs area took part in the ceremony. Thunderbirds Commander Lt. Col. Case Cunningham administered the oath. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Don Branum)

Class of '10 selects Heiser Award winners

Col. Neal Rappaport, an associate professor with the Air Force Academy's Department of Economics and Geosciences, received one of two Heiser Awards in a ceremony at the Academy May 6, 2010. The award is named for Professor Emeritus Dr. William Heiser and is the only faculty award selected by the graduating class of cadets.

Class of '10 selects Heiser Award winners

Dr. Kenneth Siegenthaler, a professor with the Air Force Academy's Department of Astronautics, received one of two Heiser Awards in a ceremony at the Academy May 6, 2010. The award is named for Professor Emeritus Dr. William Heiser and is the only faculty award selected by the graduating class of cadets. (U.S. Air Force photo)

Academy superintendent goes onstage for NPR's 'Wait, Wait ...'

Lt. Gen. Michael Gould interacts with the host, judge and panel of NPR's "Wait, Wait ... Don't Tell Me!" comedy news quiz May 6, 2010. General Gould, the Air Force Academy superintendent, correctly answered two of three questions about Eton College in England to win a prize for Dan Condon of Boulder, Colo. (U.S. Air Force photo/Johnny Wilson)

Recent grads speak at Falcon Heritage Forum

First Lt. Lindsey Kirchhoff navigates the Ropes Course at the Air Force Academy April 15, 2010. Lieutenant Kirchhoff, a 2007 Academy graduate, returned to talk to cadets about her experience in the operational Air Force as part of the Spring 2010 Falcon Heritage Forum. (U.S. Air Force photo/Bill Evans)

Recent grads speak at Falcon Heritage Forum

Second Lt. Joshua Meents navigates the Ropes Course at the U.S. Air Force Academy April 15, 2010. Lieutenant Meents visited the Academy to speak at the Spring 2010 Falcon Heritage Forum, which was themed, Officers of Character: Lieutenants in Action." He is assigned to the 53rd Electronic Warfare Group, Detachment 1, at Nellis Air Force Base, Nev. (U.S. Air Force photo/Bill Evans)

Recent grads speak at Falcon Heritage Forum

Retired Chief Master Sgt. Bob Vasquez, right, talks to 2nd Lt. Garrett Dilley at the Air Force Academy's Ropes Course April 15, 2010. Chief Vasquez is the course director for the Academy's Center for Character Leadership and Development. Lieutenant Dilley is assigned to the 411th Flight Test Squadron at Edwards Air Force Base, Calif. (U.S. Air Force photo/Mike Kaplan)

'Academy Room' highlights enlisted-cadet relationships

Tech. Sgts. Mitch Retzlaff and John Kershaw review enlisted performance report bullet statements for accuracy and impact during classwork in the Vossler NCO Academy at Peterson Air Force Base, Colo., April 26, 2010. NCOs at the U.S. Air Force Academy recently updated the decorations in the Air Force Academy-sponsored room, adding photo montages to highlight the working relationship between the Academy's enlisted corps and cadets. Sergeant Retzlaff is assigned to Peterson's 16th Space Control Squadron; Sergeant Kershaw is assigned to the 790th Missile Security Forces Squadron at F.E. Warren Air Force Base, Wyo. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Don Branum)

'Academy Room' highlights enlisted-cadet relationships

Airmen at the Vossler NCO Academy at Peterson Air Force Base, Colo., review enlisted performance report bullet statements April 26, 2010. NCOs at the U.S. Air Force Academy recently added new photo montages highlighting the relationship between the Academy's enlisted corps and its cadets. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Don Branum)