'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)