April 2, 2026
-Nolan Hiott, WRGA News-
The United States Air Force Thunderbirds have selected their Hometown Hero ahead of this weekend’s air show. Wildlife conservationist and educator Ben Winkelman has been selected to fly a Thunderbird F-16 ahead of this weekend’s Wings Over North Georgia Air Show at Richard B. Russel Regional Airport this weekend.
Ben Wikelman is the Director of the Rome-Floyd County E.C.O. center at Ridge-Ferry Park, and has had a lifelong passion for wildlife. He has dedicated his life to wildlife and outdoor education. Teaching around 12,000 students yearly. Ben was integral to developing the natural resources program at the E.C.O. center, and has worked to educate children and adults on our wildlife and outdoors.
For his extensive volunteer work and community-facing career, he was selected by the Thunderbirds as the Hometown Hero, which came with an exhilarating flight in one of their F-16’s. Ben was excited about the offer and couldn’t wait to get in the cockpit.
“It’s very humbling. I mean, there are so many people that I know that are hometown heroes, but [I’m] very fortunate”
After being fitted for his flight suit and briefed on the controls, he set off into the air.
