I have to thank my son, really. Watching his pure, joyful fascination and interest with aircraft grow over time allowed that inner-kid within me to find it’s way back to the surface, cutting through all the layers life and adulthood had piled on. When he was around the age of 1, we used to watch YouTube videos of any and all types of airplanes as a way to both find respite and calm, and a way to indulge our passions. (It was fully driven by dude man’s mood at the time!)

Way back in the early 90’s, when I was in the third grade, my mom used to lecture me with, “why can’t you remember math like you remember all those airplanes?!” Well, the joke’s on her, as I STILL use the airplane knowledge today, but I DO NOT use 3rd grade math! Ha!

My passion for military aviation deeply rooted itself, again, back in the nineties. My dad traveled a lot for work and was very familiar with the area around Richmond International Airport in Virginia where we lived at the time. One summer Saturday, he randomly asked if I wanted to take a ride out to the airport just for fun to look around. Of course I said yes, not knowing this would be my first time plane spotting! He took a few turns I’d never seen before and we ended up at the gate of the Virginia Air National Guard. He spoke to the guard and was completely truthful that we simply wanted to check things out. Please keep in mind this was WAY before 9/11. The guard happily let us in, directed us to go to an office and ask for a kind gentlemen who would happily show us around. That man’s name eludes me, but he was thrilled to take us around the base. A salt of the Earth kind of guy.

We walked through a door into the hangar, and to all of our surprise, they were empty! Our tour guide, looking confused, checked his watch and excitedly let us know they were fueling up for a training mission. He walked us to the flight line and there they were - four VA ANG F-16’s taxiing passed the hanger on their way to launch. (Again, WAY before 9/11) One of the things I remember most was the last pilot. Our tour guide said, “the last plane is flown by Colonel Teddy. That’s not his actual name, but on every flight he brings a teddy bear his son gave him.” Sure enough, as he taxied passed us, he held up a teddy bear against the canopy and waved!

What happened next I will never forget. The four F-16’s took off as 2 pair in full afterburner. The Earth shook, my bones rattled, and the soft tissue inside my little body vibrated like nothing I’d ever felt before. Well, that was like pouring concrete into a foundation. It was done, and I was hooked.

My son, now 8, and I still love to look up anytime we hear an engine in the sky. If this website, the blog, or any of the content provide even the slightest bit of inspiration or enjoyment, my mission is accomplished. Passion is meant to be shared!

Thanks for reading!

-Brett

MY SON AND I IN FRONT OF THE COLLINGS FOUNDATION B-25j "TONDELAYO" AT PALOMAR AIRPORT IN 2017

* NOT MY PICTURE *

* AGAIN, Not my shot, but exactly as I remember it!