COLUMBUS, Ohio — As a part of the Columbus Air Show, the U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds honored a member of the city’s police department with a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.

What You Need To Know

  • Anthony Sebastiano was selected by the U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds as the Hometown Hero of the 2024 Columbus Air Show and was treated to a ride in one of the team's F-16 Fighting Falcons

  • Sebastiano is a senior patrolman with more than 16 years of experience with the Columbus Police Department

  • This was the first time the Thunderbirds performed at the Columbus event since 2007

Anthony Sebastiano, a senior patrolman with more than 16 years of experience with the Columbus Police Department, was selected as the Thunderbirds’ Hometown Hero. The team selects one local person to honor at most air show sites.

According to the Air Force, Sebastiano was selected for reflecting the military branch’s core value of “service before self.”

As part of his award, Lt. Col. Taylor Wight treated Sebastiano to a ride in Thunderbird No. 7.

The Thunderbirds headlined the 2024 Columbus Air Show. This was the first time for the elite squadron performed for Central Ohio crowds since 2007.