Info Sheet - Steven C. Suiter
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I graduated from college thinking teaching history was a good thing to do but when I found out the kids were not interested I decided entering the Army would be a preferable route for a young kid who was clueless.
I raised my hand to test for pilot school and the moment I was in the air on my 'dollar' ride I knew this is where I wanted to be. I volunteered for OH-6 training because I thought it would be exciting and, besides that, it was a really neat 'sports car' helicopter.
Exciting isn't quite the right description as my tour in 1971-1972 flying scouts for F troop 4th Cav was sometimes a terrifying experience. I was shot down three times and earned a Silver Star and a Purple Heart during combat; I helped CPT Ron Radcliffe save Rod Lacewell, the sole survivor of a LOH shot down due to enemy fire during a combat mission.
The picture is of myself and, one of the best & bravest crew chiefs, Ron Brochu
After leaving the Army I was eventually able to fly 737s for Continental Airlines now United) and A-7s/F-16s for the New Mexico Air National Guard.
The transfer from Army officer to Air Force officer status is quite a story but will be saved for another time.
I've been retired for 10 years but am still very grateful for my 27 years of flying; one of those rare cases in which I was very, very fortunate to do exactly what I wanted to do.
I live outside Albuquerque, in Sandia Park and can be reached at my email pumkindad@ aol.com