In anticipation of his dream flight with the world-renowned Thunderbirds, the fabled Air Demonstration Squadron of the United States Air Force, reigning NHRA POWERade Pro Stock champion Jeg Coughlin Jr. sent along a coveted "Pro Stock Champion" hat from his personal collection to Maj. (Ret.) Brian "Bear' Lihani of NORAD. In anticipation of his dream flight with the world-renowned Thunderbirds, the fabled Air Demonstration Squadron of the United States Air Force, reigning NHRA POWERade Pro Stock champion Jeg Coughlin Jr. sent along a coveted "Pro Stock Champion" hat from his personal collection to Maj. (Ret.) Brian "Bear' Lihani of NORAD.

Lihani is coordinating Coughlin's ride-along flight in one of the Thunderbird's F-16 fighter planes, which is scheduled for the week of the Seattle race in Washington state. A lifelong drag racing fan, Lihani took the hat and put it on display at the welcome center of the NORAD installation on Cheyenne Mountain in Colorado Springs, Colo.

"It's an honor just to have my hat on display at NORAD," Coughlin said. "I've been anticipating my flight with the Thunderbirds for some time now and I'm already very, very excited about this opportunity of a lifetime. I've been fortunate enough to do some very cool things over the years but I don't know how anything will compare to a ride in an F-16."