Still smiling after touchdown, David West stands in front of the Thunderbirds’ No. 8 jet after becoming one of the newest members of the elite 9G Club at Beale Air Force Base on June 6.

YUBA COUNTY, CA (MPG) - When David West rocketed into the sky in an F-16 with the U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds earlier this month, he described the experience as “the craziest roller coaster ride I’ve ever been on.” But the honor that earned him that seat, being named Beale Air Force Base’s “hometown hero,” is rooted not in speed or spectacle but in decades of service, sacrifice and advocacy.

A former Marine and once homeless himself, West has spent his post-military life ensuring that veterans like him don’t slip through the cracks. As Nevada County’s Veterans Service Officer and the California Association of County Veterans Services Officers president, West has built a reputation as a fierce and effective champion for veterans' rights.

“It’s weird because I’m not a hero,” West said humbly following his honorary flight at the Beale Air & Space Expo on June 6. “I just go to work and do my job every day to make sure ‘heroes’ get their benefits right. But it is very humbling.”'

David West begins his descent from the cockpit of an F-16 after a high-speed flight with the Thunderbirds on June 6. The Nevada County Veterans Service Officer was honored as Beale AFB’s Hometown Hero for his work supporting veterans across the state.

Under West’s leadership, California has doubled its veteran funding to $11 million, helping generate more than half a billion dollars in benefits statewide. His office alone is credited with securing more than $40 million in resources for Nevada County veterans, housing 73 individuals and reducing veteran homelessness by a staggering 90%. West also launched the Veterans Outreach and Wellness Program, which has already served 318 veterans and their families.

His work has made a national impact as California now accounts for 12% of all claims filed with the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs but West remains focused on the people behind the statistics.

“I’m very appreciative to Senator Megan Dahle for submitting my name,” he said. “I just hope I got to be a good representation of Nevada County and the veterans who live there.”

That sense of responsibility was evident as West reflected on his flight with the Thunderbirds. 

David West poses on the flight line with a loved one following his honorary ride in an F-16 with the U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds during DoD Day at the Beale Air & Space Expo on June 6.

“The most memorable part of the flight was the takeoff. That was crazy. It’s insanity,” West said. “Seeing all the jets when we were flying, being behind all the Thunderbirds and how close all their wings were; that was pretty scary.”

West said even landing carried a weight of its own.

“When we landed, everybody was out here, that was really intimidating. Like the whole Thunderbird team and everybody. It was really cool that everybody came over.”

To those back home, West offered a message rooted in his lifelong philosophy of service, saying “Continue to be good people. Live well in your community. If you have an opportunity to serve, do so. It doesn’t have to be in the military, it can be at any nonprofit, in your local neighborhood. Whether it be coaching kids or being a referee so kids can play, just use these opportunities to do good and give back in any way you can.”