Page 26 - Demo

WHO:
Walt Fricke
Veterans Airlift Command
Airboss/Chairman/Founder
HOMEBASE:
Minneapolis, MN
RATINGS:
Commerical ASMEL, Instrument (airplane & helicopter),
Glider
HOURS:
5,000
by Rebecca Groom Jacobs
The Veterans Airlift Command provides free private air transportation to post 9/11 combat wounded and their families for medical and other compassionate purposes through a national network of volunteer aircraft owners and pilots.
1. What inspired you to form the Veterans Airlift Command (VAC)?
In early 2006, the military hospitals were filling up with wounded combat. I myself have a strong recollection of being hospitalized far away from home after being wounded as a combat helicopter pilot in Vietnam. It’s an awful feeling to be separated from your family and support system. I had a twin-engine airplane at the time, and thought, “I can help solve that problem for somebody.” So, I took early retirement and began thinking about how to accomplish this...the idea has since grown exponentially.
2. The VAC has now flown more than 15,000 passengers. Why is this transportation so beneficial to these veterans and their families?
Many of our veterans have served multiple combat tours and suffered from amputations, burn, shrapnel wounds and traumatic brain injuries (along with PTSD). It is very difficult for these warriors to fly commercially due to the crowded terminals, security limitations (which may mean removing prosthetics), travel delays, etc. Private transportation is sometimes the only viable option. In addition to the convenience provided, being flown and cared for by a like-minded patriot sends a strong message of appreciation which is often a good medicine. And it also touches the volunteer pilot who is essentially signing a “thank you note” by supplying their airplane and time.
3. What is a typical VAC mission?
Missions range from 250 miles to transcontinental, with the passenger load consisting of the veteran up to a family of 5 or 6. We publish the requests via email (including the personal backstory) to our volunteer network along with the proposed route. There is no pressure for pilots to respond unless interested. Volunteers can opt to fly the roundtrip, or just an individual leg...even a partial leg if the trip exceeds
24 • TWIN & TURBINE
June 2018