As a child, he always dreamed of being a pilot... and that dream came true.  Col. Rusty Mitchell, Ret. served in the United States Air Force for more than 22 years, and over that span was a fighter pilot and squadron commander in the Far East, Europe, and finally, the first commander of the 21st Fighter Squadron at our own Luke Air Force Base. 

Toward the end of his career, Mitchell was selected for promotion to colonel, but due to family priorities chose to decline, and retired in 1998.   "The decision to retire was hard, especially with having a line number for colonel but at the time my kids were transitioning to high school, my wife Pat had a job she loved as a registered nurse and the New Parents Support Program director here at Luke, and we wanted to ensure we stayed in the Phoenix area," he said.  He then enjoyed two decades as an Airline Captain with United Airlines, where he was based out of the San Francisco Bay area.

Five years after his Air Force retirement and while flying for United, Mitchell received a call from then Brig. Gen. Philip Breedlove, who was the Luke AFB commander. Due to the rapid growth of the communities around Luke, the General wanted to form a Community Initiatives Team, and asked Rusty to lead it.  "He asked me to come back and run his new team," Mitchell said. "I felt like I was coming home to family. I was back working with Airmen on a full-time basis, which is what I missed the most." He worked a flexible 40-hour week schedule at Luke while also flying 75 to 80 hours a month with United.

Once asked to fill this role, Col. Mitchell established a community relations program that was widely regarded as the “Gold Standard” for collaboration between a military installation and the surrounding community. That work supported the long-term mission sustainability of the worlds largest Fighter Wing located in the nations fifth largest urban area.  Air Force and local leaders say he was instrumental in preventing development from encroaching into Luke's flight zone in the early 2000s, and in helping Luke get the F-35 program in 2014, both of which secured the base's future.  “I think he saved Luke for the state of Arizona,” said Peoria Mayor Cathy Carlat.

Col Mitchell traveled internationally to promote similar military – community relationships in other settings.  As Rusty notes:  "My position at Luke was an incredibly purposeful job. There's great significance and a sense of accomplishment that comes with acting as a liaison between the local community and Luke Air Force Base. I wouldn't have changed it for anything."

Col. Mitchell now assists the City of Buckeye (one of the fastest growing communities in the nation) as they plan to expand their airport and provide the West Valley with an alternate logistics hub, while maintaining and improving their General Aviation support.

This is a topic of keen interest, and we’re pleased to have Colonel Mitchell back with us this morning to share an update with us.       Colonel Mitchell, welcome.