Maj. Sean Gustafson traded the tropics of Miami-Dade for the desert air of Las Vegas.

But some high-flying action whisks him and family back home this weekend for the Homestead Air Reserve Base's Wings Over Homestead Air Show.

Gustafson, a former Palmetto Bay resident who became the first Air Force Reserve pilot chosen to fly with the Thunderbirds since the team's inception in 1953, will fly with the popular air daredevils to kick off the two-day event.

On Saturday and Sunday, Gustafson flies the No. 4 aircraft in the Thunderbirds' diamond formation. Four jets blast off a runway, loop overheard and come together in a precise diamond shape to showcase their precision.

``It should be a great weekend, I'm feeling extremely excited to get back to the community and visit some old friends and . . . put on a great show for Homestead,'' said Gustafson, 37.

Las Vegas, where Gustafson now serves on the Nellis Air Force Base, ``is a little more brown than Miami.''

Clearly, Gustafson, who was previously assigned to the 93rd Fighter Squadron on Homestead Air Reserve Base, missed our unseasonal hot -- and dry -- weather of late. But clear conditions should appeal to the 100,000 or so guests who are expected on the grounds of the Homestead Air Reserve Base for the first major air show in 17 years at the military site.

``This is a great opportunity to put Homestead on the map,'' said Brig. Gen. William Binger, the commander of the 482nd Fighter Wing. ``My goal strategically has been to raise awareness and thank the people of South Florida and show them their military up close and personal. The amount of people who live close to us have no idea we exist.''

That shouldn't be an issue this weekend. The event features performances by the F-15 Eagle demonstration team, U.S. Army Screaming Eagles Jump Team and the U.S. Air Force Jet Car.

All that, plus military hardware -- from a B-52 bomber and KC-135 Stratotanker to a Navy Airborne Warning and Control System (AWACS.)

To have the Thunderbirds come back, after the devastation of Hurricane Andrew in 1992, shows that the 2,200-acre Homestead Air Reserve Base, which has about 2,000 men and women assigned to it and which deploys some 500 overseas at a time, is ``a permanent presence,'' Gustafson said.

``The relationships with the Air Force Reserves and community will be strong, especially after this air show,'' he added.

Gustafson recently concluded a six-week deployment that took him over Australia, Malaysia, Japan and Korea.

``We represented America overseas and the people were phenomenal,'' he said. ``Our allies were thrilled to see us.''

The feeling goes deep for Gustafson -- back to a time when he was a youngster.

``I wanted to serve my country in some fashion,'' he said.

Gustafson joined the Army and then, for him, the big prize. The Air Force.

``I always wanted to fly. I couldn't imagine a better job than flying for the Air Force. That dream came true. Flying for the Thunderbirds this past year has been amazing,'' said Gustafson, now the father of three children ages 6 to 18 months.

The kids ``love it,'' he said. ``They get to travel to quite a few shows with us. We're flying them back for the weekend and they are excited to be back in Miami.''

Wings Over Homestead runs 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday at the Homestead Air Reserve Base, 29050 Coral Sea Blvd., Homestead. The event is free. Call 305-224-7469 for information.

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