"I wanted to fly airplanes, I wanted to fly jets," said Major Nick Krajicek.
Major Nick Krajicek has worked hard to secure his dream job.
"I'm from a small town about an hour and a half north of here,” said Krajicek.
This weekend the West Point, Nebraska, native will be in the middle of the action at the Offutt Air Show as he performs with the Thunderbirds.
After a year hiatus for runway repairs, the air show is back in Bellevue and Major Krajicek will have some special spectators.
"My mom, my dad and other family members have never seen me perform before and the fact that it is right here in Nebraska makes it extra special,” said Krajicek.
Speaking of hometown heroes, former Husker and the head referee at Super Bowl 50 Clete Blakeman took the flight of a lifetime with the Thunderbirds on Friday.
"I've never been in one before. I've never been in a similar style plane, so having this experience was amazing,” said Blakeman.
After his Super Bowl appearance the Internet blew up and was quick to dub Blakeman the #HotRef On Friday, the Thunderbirds dubbed him their "Hometown Hero.”
"Anyone that can go up there and handle that type of environment and do as well as you did is pretty amazing,” said a Thunderbird pilot.
Blakeman got the call shortly after the Super Bowl inviting him to fly in an F-16 during Friday's practice run. Blakeman says he couldn’t say no to the opportunity.
"My pilot I flew with was awesome and it was an honor to fly with them. It's something I will never forget. It's something my kids will never forget,” said Blakeman.
The Offutt Air Show is Saturday and Sunday and Offutt expects close to 300,000 people to attend.
