The rainy weather has moved on, and the annual Tampa Bay AirFest is underway at MacDill Air Force Base.

As tens of thousands of spectators fill MacDill Air Force Base for the annual event, organizers and Airmen want visitors to remember one of their own who gave the ultimate sacrifice.

This year's two-day event is dedicated to 1st Lt. Joseph Helton, who was killed by an improvised explosive device while serving in Iraq in 2009.

 Helton was based at MacDill Air Force Base. His mother, Jiffy, and his family came back to the base for this year's event.

"We all love him very much," Jiffy Helton Sarver said. "To have so many people let us know how much they cared for him and how much they appreciated what they did for him, it helps us feel a little better because that's how we felt about him."

The lead F-16 for the Air Force Thunderbirds, which are performing this weekend, has a special message in its wheels: "In memory of Air Force 1st Lt. Joseph Helton."

"It's an amazing honor," Helton Sarver said. "It's very humbling. I think we would rather have a Joseph hug, but I think it's great for the guys out there who are putting themselves in the line of fire to know that people back here appreciated what they're doing."

Helton's family has set up a foundation in his memory. The website is ltheltonfoundation.org.

The 2016 AirFest runs through Sunday. Visitors can see different types of aircraft including cargo, fighter and special purpose planes.

The event is free and open to the public. Parking is free, too.

Go here for more information on the event.


1st Lt. John Helton (Courtesy photo)