Missy Franklin to Fly With US Air Force Thunderbirds

Missy Franklin is set to fly with the US Air Force Thunderbirds on Thursday.

The five-time Olympic medalist was invited to fly as part of the academy's graduation celebration.

Missy Franklin won Olympic gold in the 100 and 200 backstroke in London in 2012.

This flight is a unique opportunity for Missy Franklin to experience the Thunderbirds' performance.

The U.S. Air Force started flights with Olympians in 2019 to showcase their relationship with the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Museum.

Missy Franklin will take off from Peterson Space Force Base, following in the footsteps of skier Mikaela Shiffrin and speedskater Apolo Ohno.

In college, Missy Franklin led Cal to the NCAA championship with a still-NCAA record 1:39 in the 200-yard freestyle.

Missy Franklin was inducted into the International Swimming Hall of Fame in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, in 2023.

The flight with the Thunderbirds is a testament to Missy Franklin's achievements in swimming, including six gold medals at the 2013 World Championships in Barcelona