By Ellie Hyland
The Manchester Township School District (MTSD) is unique as it directly neighbors the Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst. The close partnership between MTSD and JB-MDL has provided such wonderful opportunities for soldiers, students and staff alike to work together and learn from one another. That relationship opened the door for JB-MDL to consider MTSD when the Thunderbird Team expressed interest in honoring a Hometown Hero with a flight during the 2025 Air Show at the Joint Base. Specifically, the Thunderbird Team was looking for any 2024-25 Teachers of the Year interested in taking flight with them! I excitedly expressed my interest and began the application process.
I am a special education teacher to students ages 14 to 21 at the Regional Day School, which is part of MTSD. I am not only a dedicated special education teacher at Regional Day School but I was also awarded by my colleagues and have the honor of holding the title as Regional Day School Teacher of the Year for the 2024-25 school year. This honor is what made me eligible to apply for the flight with the Thunderbirds.
The application process was nerve-wracking. I was told I was being considered for this opportunity along with hundreds of other applicants across the tri-state area. I shared information about my background, provided medical details for clearance, and explained not only my lifelong desire to become a special education teacher, but also how the philosophy of the Thunderbirds aligns with my classroom values and belief in treating each student as an individual with limitless possibilities.
That belief is visible in my classroom every day. I strive to make my students’ school experience meaningful and joyful, instilling life lessons they can carry into the real world. The opportunity to fly with the Thunderbirds allowed me to show them, by direct example, that opportunities and experiences are not limited to anyone — not even “Miss Ellie.” This same lesson is woven into my classroom philosophy for all my students every single day.
I was accepted to officially fly with the Thunderbirds the week after I celebrated my birthday. It was such wonderful news to be gifted this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. The JB-MDL and Thunderbird Team not only welcomed me, but also my family and colleagues, to join in the experience. We reported to JB-MDL at 5 AM the day of the flight. I then began intense screenings, physical and mental training, preparedness, and fittings of the jumpsuit. The weather tried to threaten our experience, but when the 10 AM flight time finally arrived, the fog lifted and we took off.
I had the pleasure of being trained by and then flying alongside Maj. Brandon “Crime” Maxson, advanced pilot/narrator for the U.S Air Force Thunderbird Team. My flight lasted more than an hour and was truly indescribable experience. After we exceeded 9Gs in one of the fastest F-16s on Earth, the crew declared me one of the “fastest women in the world.”
We performed countless maneuvers, including an aileron roll, loop, barrel roll, G turn and more. We flew over the JB-MDL Air Show’s Open House multiple times, where MTSD students were able to see and wave to us. To my amazement, Maj. Maxson even let me fly the jet and complete a barrel roll myself, which was incredible. I am proud to say I never needed the baggies they provide in case of motion sickness during their flight.
After landing, I was awarded a 9G pin for joining the 9G club, an American flag that flew with us in the F-16, and an autographed, framed photo of the Thunderbirds from last year’s Super Bowl with my name on it. However, the true reward is in the new friendships, partnership and memories from this once-in-a- lifetime experience.
Although my students were not able to be a part of the day, the USAF Thunderbird Team provided GoPro footage of my flight for us to share with them. They couldn’t believe Miss Ellie went up in the fighter jet, drove a fighter jet and was even on the news! My students were very excited to see me on the news. They mimicked the motions I made during the turns, laughing and cheering. Later that day, as we were walking throughout the school, one of my students found a wooden plane. He picked it up and handed it to me, expressing his enthusiasm and curiosity about the whole experience.
Ellie Hyland is a special education teacher in Manchester Township.