“With advances in medical technology, many veterans today survive injuries that would have been fatal in earlier conflicts. However, these men and women face lifelong challenges and often struggle with commercial travel.”
There are moments in life that change us forever. For pilots, these milestones often include the first solo flight, the checkride that earns our license, and progressing through various aircraft—each marking a significant step in our aviation journey. I began flying later in life, quickly advancing from Cessna 172s and 182s to my first aircraft, a Cessna 206, followed by a Piper Meridian and a Citation Mustang. Later came a Diamond DA 40, a Piper Mirage, and my current plane, a legacy Pilatus PC-12. The PC-12 is unique in the market, offering a cabin comparable to a midsize jet, the operating cost of a single-engine turboprop, a 1,500 nm range, a pallet-sized cargo door, and takeoff and landing capabilities on unimproved surfaces.
In late October 2011, while flying a Cessna Mustang, I had dinner in Baltimore with Scott Ernest, then CEO of Cessna. Little did I know that this dinner would change my life. Our conversation turned to using airplanes for volunteer work. I had been flying occasionally for Angel Flight Mid-Atlantic, a wonderful organization. Scott shared that Cessna had repainted a Mustang to honor American military service members and was encouraging its pilots to fly for an organization called the Veteran’s Airlift Command (VAC). Intrigued by his description, I researched the VAC when I returned home.
The VAC’s mission is to provide “free, private air transportation to our nation’s combat-injured veterans for medical or other compassionate purposes through a national network of volunteer aircraft owners and pilots.” The VAC was founded by Walt Fricke, a decorated former Army helicopter pilot who flew hundreds of combat missions in Vietnam. Fricke’s vision for the VAC stems from his experience of spending six months in the hospital after being medevac’d out of Vietnam in 1968.
With advances in medical technology, many veterans today survive injuries that would have been fatal in earlier conflicts. However, these men and women face lifelong challenges and often struggle with commercial travel. Airport security can be a challenge, with little recognition of the fact that their injuries were sustained in defense of our nation. The VAC is committed to providing these veterans with dignified transportation for the rest of their lives.
Walt nearly lost his foot due to shrapnel when the rockets he fired exploded in the launch tube. Inspired by his hospital experience, he began flying veterans and their family members in his personal plane. Friends encouraged him to start the VAC, and since its inception, volunteer pilots have transported over twenty thousand passengers. The VAC operates on a modest budget, with no office space, and coordinators working from home. Veterans and their families submit mission requests, which are then vetted and matched to volunteers through a network of thousands of pilots.
As Veteran’s Day 2011 approached, I signed up for the VAC and began receiving emailed mission notifications. I soon volunteered for my first mission: “VAC Mission: Richmond, VA to Boston, 11/22 (returning 11/27) VAC PRIORITY MISSION: 1st LT Jake M., a 2009 West Point graduate, was severely injured by an IED in Afghanistan on July 23, 2011. He lost both legs and suffers from a traumatic brain injury. This will be his first trip home since his injury, and he’ll be traveling with his girlfriend, Lisa. Jake is determined to stay in the Army, and Lisa has remained by his side, putting her future plans on hold after recently graduating with a master’s in education. He will travel with a collapsible wheelchair and a walker. Your help would be invaluable.”
My first mission took place on November 22, 2011. I flew to Richmond, Virginia, from my home base in Gaithersburg, Maryland, to meet Jake and Lisa. Upon arriving in Boston, we were greeted by Jake’s family in a heartwarming homecoming. Witnessing this moment left a profound impact on me. I was captivated by the VAC’s mission.
Years later, in 2022, I reached out to Jake and Lisa, learning they had married, had two beautiful children, and were living in Texas. They sent me beautiful heartwarming photos of their family.
Thirteen years and hundreds of missions later, the VAC has introduced me to people, places, and experiences I never would have imagined. I’ve gone sightseeing,
hunting, and fishing across the United States. I’ve made lasting friendships and met people deeply committed to helping others. Through the VAC, I’ve discovered and befriended individuals in dozens of organizations dedicated to supporting veterans, from small hunting and fishing groups to a ranch in South Dakota that hosts thousands of veterans annually, to a Florida organization started by a paralyzed Marine that fields nationally ranked wheelchair rugby and basketball teams.
I have been honored to meet and fly three Medal of Honor recipients from the Vietnam, Korean, and Iraq wars. I’ve flown single, double, triple, and even quadruple amputees; the first North American double-arm transplant recipient; and a 106-year-old D-Day veteran. I’ve met veterans from all walks of life, each one humble, patriotic, and thankful. One of my closest friends is a combat-wounded veteran missing his left arm at the shoulder and with a prosthetic right leg. He went on to earn a master’s degree from Georgetown, is an instrument rated pilot, and currently leads a nonprofit supporting other veterans.
Last year, my friend Joe and I had the privilege of transporting Colonel Ralph Puckett, Jr., his wife Jean, and their family to West Point from their home in Columbus, Georgia, for the unveiling of his Medal of Honor plaque. Joe and I both describe the experience as “magical”. We spent time with the family, toured West Point, dined in the cadet mess hall, and were welcomed as family members. When Colonel Puckett passed, Joe and I attended his honor ceremony at the Capitol Rotunda and attended a private family reception with our wives later that evening. The next day we were again honored to transport his family and ashes back to Columbus.
Through the years, I have flown veterans in a Cessna Citation Mustang, a Piper Mirage, and the Pilatus PC-12. While each aircraft has served its purpose, the Pilatus stands out for these missions. Its cargo door allows a wheelchair-bound veteran to be loaded easily.
I’ve trusted Skytech for years with my Piper and Pilatus aircraft purchases and maintenance, including my legacy PC-12 (serial no. 107). Their service has been invaluable, with a dedicated team who prioritize safety and customer needs. They are top notch in service and support, having flown a team in to repair my aircraft on numerous occasions over the last two decades. Their current head of maintenance in Westminster, MD has been exemplary in keeping my airplane safe and flying. He constantly researches options for me and keeps his customers safety and financial needs at the forefront. Skytech feels like my partner in this mission.
I have a deep passion for flying, and using this love to help others has brought me unexpected benefits. I have met and befriended thousands of veterans that were injured in support of our country, and others that give of their time to help their fellow Americans. They have inspired me and sustained my faith in this Nation. The Veteran’s Airlift Command has profoundly transformed my life. I encourage you to get involved—this experience will undoubtedly change yours as well.