Tech. Sgt Craig Hall applies a USAF Thunderbird patch to the flight suit of Hobart fire chief Brian Taylor during pre-flight preparations at the Gary Jet Center Tuesday July 3, 2012. Taylor was offered a ride aboard the Thunderbirds in honor of his actions in saving a pair of young brothers from a fire last year. | Andy Lavalley~Sun-Times Media

Hobart fire chief Brian Taylor carries three year-ld Andrew Collings for a closer look at one of the U.S.A.F. Thurnderbird F-16s at the Gary Jet Center Tuesday July 3, 2012. Taylor was being treated to a ride with the demonstration team in honor of his efforts saving Andrew and his brother Landon from a Lake Staton fire last year. | Andy Lavalley~Sun-Times Media

Andrean Taylor, left, looks on as Tech Sgt. Craig Hall fits her huband Brian is fitted with a suit to help counteract the effects of g-forces at the Gary Jet Center Tuesday July 3, 2012. Taylor was selected for a flight with the U.S.A.F. Thunderbirds in honor of his actions that saved a pair of young brothers from a buring Lake Station home last year. | Andy Lavalley~Sun-Times Media

Hobart fire chief Brian Taylor chats with 3 year-old Andrew Collins at the Gary Jet Center Tuesday July 3, 2012. Taylor was selected to fly with the U.S.A.F. Thunderbirds in honor of his efforts to save Collins and his younger brother from a buring Lake Station home last year. | Andy Lavalley~Sun-Times Media

Hobart Fire Chief Brian Taylor, right, meets U.S. Air Force. Thunderbirds pilots Maj. Caroline Jensen and Capt. Ryan Riley at the Gary Jet Center Tuesday July 3, 2012. Taylor was selected to ride with the team in honor of his efforts saving a young boy from a burning Lake Station home last year. | Andy Lavalley~Sun-Times Media

U.S.A.F. Thunderbird #7 lands at the Gary/Chicago International Airport Tuesday July 3, 2012. Hobart fire chief Brian Taylor was scheduled to ride in the plane later in the day. | Andy Lavalley~Sun-Times Media

Col Jason Koltes goes over the cockpit with Hobart Fire chief Brian Taylor before his flight Tuesday afternoon at the Gary/Chicago Airport. | Jeffrey D. Nicholls~Sun-Times Media

The USAF Thunderbird #7 carrying Hobart Fire chief Brian Taylor and piloted by Lt Col. Jason Koltes takes off from the Gary/Chicago Airport Tuesday afternoon. | Jeffrey D. Nicholls~Sun-Times Media

Hobart Fire chief Brian Taylor (right) and Lt Col. Jason Koltes look over a map of their flight area Tuesday afternoon at the Gary Jet Center. Taylor was selected as a Hometown Hero and received a flight with the USAF Thunderbirds for saving 4 year old Andrew Collins from a fire last December that killed Andrew's mother. | Jeffrey D. Nicholls~Sun-Times Media

Lt Col. Jason Koltes and Hobart Fire chief Brian Taylor wave as they head out to the runway at the Gary/Chicago Airport Tuesday afternoon. Taylor received the Hometown Hero flight from the Thunderbirds for saving four year-old Andrew Collins from a fire last December. | Jeffrey D. Nicholls~Sun-Times Media

Hobart Fire chief Brian Taylor climbs aboard the USAF F-16 for his flight with the USAF Thunderbirds Tuesday afternoon at the Gary/Chicago Airport. | Jeffrey D. Nicholls~Sun-Times Media