“ThunderBarb,” that’s the callsign my staff at the U.S. National Science Foundation National Radio Astronomy Observatory (NSF NRAO) jokingly gave me when they learned I’d been selected as the U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds’ Hometown Hero for the Joint Base Andrews Air Show. Aviation became a part of my life later than I once imagined, but the passion was always there. I remember filling out a career interest form in junior high and writing “fighter pilot.” At that time, doors to military aviation weren’t open to women, so my path took a different turn. Yet, as life has a way of doing, it circled me back to the skies.
This honor reflects how seamlessly my professional and personal journeys have intertwined—both fueled by the same calling: inspiring and preparing the next generation of STEM leaders. As a career educator working within the U.S. National Science Foundation framework, my focus has always been on Broader Impacts—creating meaningful, engaging STEM programs that expand access and opportunity. And because my personal passions—science and aviation—so naturally align, I often blur the lines between “work” and “life,” using every opportunity to connect students, educators, and the public with the wonder of discovery.
NSF NRAO staff and volunteers shared hands-on STEM activities with thousands of visitors of all ages during the air show. Photo credit NSF/AUI/NSF NRAO.
The Joint Base Andrews Air Show perfectly showcased that intersection. Together with my team, our outreach booth in the STEM hanger showcased the NSF NRAO’s national (and international) networks of radio telescopes, some of the largest and most powerful in the U.S., and the world. We demonstrated how radio astronomy and aviation share a common language—radio waves. Using receivers, software-defined radios, and a horn antenna, we showed how these invisible signals not only unlock the secrets of the universe but also keep our skies safe through systems like ADS-B, which broadcasts aircraft position and altitude in real time. Visitors were excited about this connection, and educators, engineers, parents, and children alike learned about the NSF Green Bank Telescope that is practically in their back yard, just a few hours from the base, in West Virginia.
NSF NRAO staff and volunteers shared hands-on STEM activities, including a portable radio horn antenna, with thousands of visitors of all ages during the air show. Photo credit NSF/AUI/NSF NRAO.
And then there were the Thunderbirds. What can I say? They embody excellence. From the moment I arrived, every member of the team—the flight surgeon, equipment specialists, public affairs officers, medics, and maintainers—welcomed me with professionalism, warmth, and a contagious passion for their craft. And Thunderbird #7? That flight wasn’t just a ride—it was a reminder of the power of dedication, teamwork, and daring to dream big.
Photo credit Blind Squirrel Photography.
ThunderBarb was flown by Thunderbird #7, Lt Col Tyler Keener. During their air show performance Barb had the best seat in the house, as their jet followed behind several key formations. Photo credit U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds.
Was I destined to be a fighter pilot, like my 13-year-old self once dreamed? Maybe not in body, but in spirit, absolutely. That flight reminded me that aviation and astronomy offer so many pathways—each one thrilling, each one impactful. To the Thunderbirds, as that wide-eyed 13-year-old who first dared to dream, I offer my heartfelt thanks.
ThunderBarb takes off with Thunderbird #7 experiencing an unrestricted climb, where the F-16 accelerates to a high speed at low altitude, then pulls the nose vertically to climb rapidly into the sky. Photo credit U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds.
Dr. Barbara Gruber is the Assistant Director of Education and Public Outreach for the U.S. National Science Foundation, National Radio Astronomy Observatory and a student pilot with an hour of F16D flight time in her pilot log book.