Johnnie Ham:  

Here's my story, in 500 words or less: My life, 500 words: Grew up in California, lost my father st 12. Spent a summer with a friend backpacking in Yosemite. Learned to fly gliders. Moved to Florida at 16. Learned to fly powered planes and got my license at 17. Really learned to fly from my Grandpa Ben in a Luscombe 3A tail dragger from South Florida to St Louis. Graduated from Martin County HighSchool, great Class of '76. Went to West Point. Lost the love of my life, Nena. Became a West Point Rabble Rouser, and worked my butt off. Learned to play the guitar. Danced a lot. Graduated in 1980, commissioned 2LT, US Army Aviation. Married the wrong girl, but had fun. Moved to Alabama for Flight School, learned to fly again, became a Cobra Pilot, then moved to Germany for 5 years, enjoyed flying over the beautiful countryside, and several jobs but my favorite of all, Company Commander of an Attack Helicopter Company. Worked for my greatest mentor, then LTC "Big Jim" Mowery. Became involved with Special Ops Command, got my green beret. Attended Georgia Tech for a Masters in Aerospace Engineering, worked my butt off. Lost the wrong girl. Moved to Patuxent River, MD to attend the Navy Test Pilot School. Had a blast and worked my butt off, flew 51 different types of aircraft, did s night carrier landing in an F18. Met and married the second really wrong girl. Got the dream job of my life, Experimental Test Pilot at Edwards AFB, my personal Mecca...Expand for more