News

A family affair: AF lieutenant colonel fulfills lifelong dream

  • Published
  • By Lt. Col. Charles “Spanky” Gillam
  • 48th Flying Training Squadron Commander
COLUMBUS AIR FORCE BASE, Miss. --  "What we have done for ourselves alone dies with us; what we have done for others and the world remains and it lives forever," Albert Pike once said.

On Oct. 12 Col. Fred Cunningham, Air Education and Training Command Inspector General, performed the retirement ceremony for his younger brother, Lt. Col. Matthew Cunningham after 20-plus years of faithful service.

Approximately 17 percent of military officers serve a 20-plus-year career and retire from the Air Force. Air Force retirements happen almost every day. What made this retirement so special? What separated it from the countless others we witness each week at Team BLAZE? The family: Lt. Col. Cunningham’s service was a family affair.

I had the honor to serve with Matt after he returned to the 48 Flying Training Squadron after a 6-month deployment last year. Matt, former Wing Inspector General, served as the 48th FTS Chief Pilot. In this capacity he had a direct impact on the 48th FTS being named the Top T-1 Squadron in AETC and two Pilot Instructor Training distinguished graduates under his mentorship. Matt was a pilot’s pilot.

Matt’s career started with parents that fueled his interest in aviation. His parents took him to air shows and allowed his to simply watch commercial airliners land at a nearby airport at a very young age. Matt was so inspired he wrote about his life goals in a paper in the sixth grade titled, “Promise Yourself.” This young boy, fueled by loving parents and a supportive family, wrote about his future dreams and desires.

The following paragraph is an excerpt from “Promise Yourself” by sixth grader Matt Cunningham

“There comes a time in everyone’s life when he needs to make a promise or commitment toward his future career goals. Some people make this commitment very young, some do it in high school, some in college and, unfortunately, some never do. I feel very fortunate that I already have my future career goals planned. I have made a promise to myself that I will be a pilot…It is nice to know that all people can make their dreams come true with enough work, study, and yes, even prayer…I would consider it a privilege to serve my country in the United States Armed Forces.”

Matt was inspired by his parents to dream big and make his dreams become reality. His infectious enthusiasm also inspired his older brother, Fred. During the retirement ceremony, Fred remarked, it was his younger brother Matt who was the first in the family to inquire about the U.S. Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs, Colorado. It was Matt’s passion that gave Fred a desire to attend the Academy also. Thus, first older brother Fred attended, then a short time later, younger brother Matt joined him in Colorado at the nation’s premier leadership laboratory in the foothills of the Front Range.

During the retirement ceremony, Fred talked about Matt’s desire to fly for the commercial airlines. He dreamed of flying the 737s or 747s filled with passengers while he wore his commercial pilot uniform. As Matt’s love for aviation grew, his commitment to service and commitment grew also. His commitment caused him to put his commercial pilot dreams on hold to serve his country. Matt is a great example for all officers who fly for the Air Force.

Fred remarked, “he is a shining example that you can … do both. You can successfully complete a 20-year career and still fly for the airlines.”

Matt was recently hired to fly for a major commercial carrier.

I had a front row seat to Matt’s legacy of training excellence. As he writes another chapter in his life surrounded by his family and friends, I’m proud to call him a fellow brother in arms. He led with competence, courage, commitment and capacity to serve the United States on silver wings for a full military career and now he is realizing his lifelong dream of being a commercial pilot. His service was not a one-man show. It took loving, supportive parents and an older brother paving the way enable Matt’s service career.

Matt’s service was truly a family affair. I look forward to hearing about all the Cunningham family will accomplish as he now serves in a different capacity finally fulfilling his promise to himself. Well done, thy good and faithful servant. Happy Retirement Matt.