Honoring a hometown hero

On a beautiful Friday morning during the 2022 SUN ‘n FUN Aerospace Expo, the U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds hosted a “hometown hero flight” for Sergeant Chad Mumbauer of the City of Lakeland Police Department.   

Both the police department and the Polk County Sheriff’s Office nominated officers for the honor and the Thunderbirds selected Mumbauer.

According to local officials, “Sergeant Mumbauer is the epitome of a 25-plus year public servant and Marine Corps veteran who leads by example. With the heart of a warrior, he has overcome brain cancer three times in the past 10 years and returned to full duty as a leader of the department’s Special Operations Unit in the City of Lakeland Police Department.” 

“I cannot think of a person more deserving of this honor than Sergeant Chad Mumbauer,” said Police Chief Ruben Garcia. “During these 20-plus years of service, Chad has faced many challenges, including the enormous battle of fighting off brain cancer, not once but three times. Each time in a display of strength and grace that can only be described as superhuman, Chad has faced this awful disease head-on with the highest of faith and motivation to return to his normal life. Chad has become an icon in the tactical community as a true survivor, a warrior, and a role model of hope to hundreds of SWAT officers who serve communities throughout our state. I am humbled to have had the privilege of working alongside him these many years.”

During the hour-long sortie on April 8, 2022, Mumbauer flew with Maj. Ryan Yingling, Operations Officer and Thunderbird #7, in the Air Force’s premier multi-role fighter jet, the F-16 Fighting Falcon. 

Flying in formation with a second F-16 piloted by Thunderbird narrator, Major Jake Impellizzeri, Mumbauer had the opportunity to soar into the sunny skies above Lakeland and enjoy the full range of aerobatic and formation maneuvers characterizing the Thunderbird’s airshow routine.