Thunderbirds fly IndyCar driver J.R. Hildebrand

  • Published
  • By Tech. Sgt. Alice Moore
  • U.S. Air Force Air Demonstration Squadron Public Affairs
NELLIS AIR FORCE BASE, Nev. --  Driving up to 240 miles per hour is normal for an IndyCar driver. However, while gearing up for his next race, one particular IndyCar driver was given the opportunity to go even faster in an F-16 Fighting Falcon.

IndyCar driver J.R. Hildebrand, who drives the No. 4 car sponsored by the National Guard, was given the opportunity to fly in the back seat of an F-16 jet with the United States Air Force Air Demonstration Squadron "Thunderbirds" Oct. 11.

"I'm pretty excited about this," Hildebrand said. "I've always been an adrenaline junkie so this was high on my list to be able to jump into a fighter jet, and it's just the 'bee's knees' to be able to come here and do this with the Thunderbirds."

In preparation for his flight, Hildebrand received several hours' worth of training from Thunderbird team members to include his pilot, Thunderbird No. 4, Capt.Nicholas Holmes. Prior to stepping to the aircraft, Hildebrand said he definitely appreciated all of the effort to ensure he was ready to fly.

"It's obviously pretty intense going through all the training," Hildebrand said, "but, it's been sort of neat in its own way just having that feeling that you do have some preparation going into the whole gig rather than just jumping into a plane. I can't wait to just get up and get going."

After about an hour flight and getting the chance to go up to 750 miles per hour, Thunderbird No.4 with Hildebrand on board landed safely. The IndyCar driver said the experience of flight was memorable.

"It was crazy just seeing everything the plane can do and how precise it is," Hildebrand said. "It's really impressive to see what the plane and pilots can do together and this experience absolutely exceeded my expectations. It was just unbelievable."

For Holmes, the experience to fly the other No.4 was also a memorable experience.

"It was such a thrill to show the other No. 4 how our team works," Holmes said. It's always an honor to be able to showcase the pride, professionalism and teamwork embodied by America's Airmen every day."

Prior to leaving the Thunderbird hangar, Hildebrand said he was impressed with the entire Thunderbird team.

"This is obviously something that requires a lot of talent and skill to fly the planes, but also the commitment and professionalism of the flight crews," he said. "As a young American guy it's a really cool thing to see our armed forces in action. It really drives it home that they are out there fighting for our freedom."

After spending time racing mountain and BMX bikes, Hildebrand began racing go-carts at the age of 14. From there, the 23-year-old Sausalito, Calif., native eventually made his debut racing at IndyCar events. He is currently in his rookie season and will compete in the IZOD IndyCar World Championships in Las Vegas this weekend and will find out if he is rookie of the year.