An American Combat Birddog Pilot

ZOOM ONLY MEETING

Zoom Link: https://zoom.us/j/7751115190?pwd=NWdhTGd0ZHJCbm1GMGZJWTdxZzFwZz09
OR dial in +1 669 900 9128, 
Meeting ID: 775 111 5190

Meet - Col. Michael Leonard, USAF Pilot and Author of  ‘An American Combat Bird Dog Pilot’ 

This Friday Rotarians will get a first-hand account of his adventures, from his days before the military right on through to his years as an executive working for companies like the Ford Aerospace and Communications Corporation and Lockheed-Martin.

Of note is Leonard’s recounting of close calls as an O-1 Bird Dog pilot in Vietnam. As a Forward Air Control, or FAC, Leonard was often the only link between ground forces and friendly artillery fire. In his little fixed-wing plane, Leonard had to circle over hot battlezones, dodging enemy anti-air and small arms fire while calling in coordinates on enemy locations.

Don’t miss this glimpse into the world of the Bird Dog pilots of Vietnam; a job that consisted of “long hours of sheer boredom, interspersed by moments of stark terror.” 

About Col. Michael Leonard (Ret.)

Leonard is a retired Air Force officer and highly experienced global business executive. He was a USAF Command Pilot with a military career spanning 20 years, including 2 combat tours to Vietnam in 1965-1966, and 1969-1970. Mike spent 4 years flying the VC-140B Special Air Mission aircraft during his time with the 89th Military Airlift Wing, the “Home of Air Force One”. His combat decorations include 3 Distinguished Flying Crosses, 9 Air Medals, and the Vietnamese Cross of Gallantry.