Veteran Interviews
Frequent Flyer hopes that these conversations with veterans will provide greater insight into the daily lives of those who’ve proudly served their country through aviation. The stories of these everyday heroes deserve attention and admiration, and Frequent Flyer hopes to provide that spotlight. Our interviews ask when these veterans decided to become pilots, how their military aviation informed their life choices, and what they most cherished about their time flying in uniform.
Frequent Flyer also publishes a Starter Kit of Interview Questions that you can use to interview your loved ones who’ve served in uniform. We hope to spread the message that our veterans deserve greater appreciation and recognition for all that they have sacrificed for their fellow countrymen. Through using our starter kit of interview questions, you can learn about your loved one, see them in a new light, and learn about their most formative experiences in the military.
Dr. Philip A. Iannuzzi, Jr. — Air Force Colonel (Retired)
Dr. Philip A. Iannuzzi, Jr.—United States Air Force Colonel (retired)—served in the Air Force over twenty years in a variety of command, higher headquarters, and operational leadership positions, including assignments as a Major Command Division Chief, Director of Global Flight Operations, International Director and Air Branch Chief for the North Atlantic Treaty Organization’s Joint Force Command in Naples, Italy, Commanding Officer of an Air Force KC-10 Extender Flying Squadron, and Air Staff Program Manager at the Pentagon. Following his service in the Air Force, Mr. Iannuzzi joined The Boeing Company. He holds a doctoral degree in educational leadership and is currently serving as a Workforce Development leader aligned to Boeing’s Defense, Space & Security (BDS) business unit.
Interview with Colonel Merryl Tengesdal
On Thursday, September 2, I had the honor of speaking with Colonel Merryl Tengesdal. Mrs. Tengesdale served in the United States Navy and Air Force, where she flew the T-34C, TH-57 B/C, SH-60B, T-6A, T-38A/B/C, and U-2. She is the first and only African American woman to fly the U. S. Air Force U-2 Aircraft.
Colin O’Sullivan Interview
On Monday, August 9th, I had the honor of speaking with Mr. Colin O’Sullivan. Mr. O’Sullivan currently serves in the United States Air Force in the 125th Fighter Wing. He is currently a Crew Chief on the F-15s based in Jacksonville, Florida. This interview has been edited for length and clarity.
Interview with Larry Nazimek
Mr. Nazimek served in the United States Air Force, where he was dual-rated as a pilot and a navigator. He flew the F-4 Phantom when he was a weapon systems officer, and flew the T-38 Talon and B-52 Stratofortress when he was a pilot.