Pictured right is Kentucky native Capt. Hannah Durbin, public affairs officer for the U.S. Air Force's Thunderbirds. Durbin, who is from Richmond, is returning to her home state for this weekend's Owensboro Air Show.
Capt. Hannah Durbin, public affairs officer for the U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds, will return to Kentucky this weekend when the squadron highlights the Owensboro Air Show on Saturday and Sunday.
The Richmond native attended Model Laboratory School, which Mark Calitri, president of the Owensboro-Daviess County Convention & Visitors Bureau, attended years earlier.
In advance of this weekend's air show, Calitri conducted an online interview with Durbin.
She told him that with the Thunderbirds, "I lead a team of seven, and we’re responsible for the team’s strategic communication, marketing, recruiting and outreach. We manage, promote and share the Thunderbird brand across the country and online."
Durbin said she's excited about being back in Kentucky.
"Many of the team have never been, so I can’t wait to show them my home state and everything that makes it special," she said.
Durbin said, "I learned about the Air Force Academy my junior year of high school and was able to visit during their summer seminar program that summer."
She said, "After being accepted during my senior year, it was a huge leap of faith to leave home and go. I didn’t have any military members in my life at the time and I was scared. Luckily, I had some phenomenal mentors who saw before I did that it was a great fit for me."
Durbin said, "I couldn’t be more thankful for the Air Force and the opportunities it has provided. I’ve lived in four countries and visited more than 40, spending a lot of time learning from our allies and partners around the world. I’ve always been adventurous, but the Air Force continues to be the greatest adventure, constantly opening doors that I didn’t even know existed."
She said she tells young people to "dream big and take the leap. You can only grow by stepping outside of your comfort zone."
Durbin said, "I think, for most people, even if the Air Force isn’t your forever career, you will leave it a better, more well-rounded human who is prepared to work hard, serve, and succeed throughout life’s challenges. Especially as a young person, it can provide stability, guidance, and critical skills early in life."
When people watch the Thunderbirds in action this weekend, she said, "I hope you leave inspired to work hard and surround yourself with people who push you to be the best version of yourself."
Durbin said, "You’ll see six jets flying through the air inches apart, but it takes a team of 130 other members to make it all happen. We all show up as our best every day because the team depends on it. It’s amazing what a team of motivated individuals can do, and that can apply to anyone at any stage of life."
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