NASA Kennedy Space Center Firefighter Andrew Morgan Set to Fly with USAF Thunderbirds

By  //  April 10, 2021

Air Show set for April 17-18

A NASA Kennedy Space Center firefighter has been selected to fly with the U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds as part of their “Hometown Hero” program that honors deserving local people, Cocoa Beach Air Show officials announced today. (NASA image)

BREVARD COUNTY • COCOA BEACH, FLORIDA – A NASA Kennedy Space Center firefighter has been selected to fly with the U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds as part of their “Hometown Hero” program that honors deserving local people, Cocoa Beach Air Show officials announced today.

On Friday, April 16, at 10:30 a.m. (from Patrick Space Force Base), firefighter Andrew Morgan will get to experience the ride of his life in the backseat of an F-16 with Thunderbird #8 Major Jason Markzon as his pilot.

On his 45-minute flight, Morgan will experience the thrill of hitting up to seven G’s, along with the accompanying twists, spins and turns of the best roller coaster ride imaginable.

“This is such an honor to be chosen by the Thunderbirds as their ‘Hometown Hero’,” said Morgan. “I am incredibly excited to be given this opportunity.”

A member of the Technical Rescue Team, Morgan scaled down the side of the Florida spaceport’s Vehicle Assembly Building last fall on a mission to rescue a team of painters. Although the painters were safely tethered and wore fall-protection gear, their broken scaffolding motor had left them temporarily stranded 375 feet off the ground.

Following his actions, Morgan was recognized by the Space Coast Fire Chiefs’ Association as their 2020 Firefighter of the Year. He competed with other firefighters from municipalities in Brevard County and selection was based on leadership, performance, significant self-improvement, and community involvement.

The U.S. Air Force’s top two demonstration teams – the Thunderbirds and the F-22 Raptor Demo Team – will be the featured performers when the Cocoa Beach Air Show returns to Florida’s Space Coast, April 17-18. The Cocoa Beach Air Show will mark the kickoff of the Thunderbirds’ 2021 season.

Other military aircraft scheduled to perform will be a B-1 Bomber, B-52 Bomber, A-10 Thunderbolt II and C-17 GlobeMaster III. Additional show performers include the GEICO Skytypers Air Show Team, as well as aerobatic pilots Mike Wiskus and John Black.

Corporate sponsorship opportunities, hospitality packages, and employee morale programs are still available and volunteer registration remains open. For more information on the show or to purchase tickets visit https://cocoabeachairshow.com/.

The Cocoa Beach Air Show will kick off this year’s AirDotShow Live Tour that will visit six destinations in 2021 including Fort Lauderdale, Atlanta, Ocean City, Maryland, New York, and Orlando.

For more information on the tour please visit https://air.show.

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U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds, F-22 Raptor Demo Team Headline Cocoa Beach Air Show on April 17-18

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