RUSS

SERVICE RECORD

Ken Costner was described as a “Good Ole Boy.” Born and raised in East Tennessee, Ken spent his summers with his grandfather in Texas. His grandfather was a true cowboy, and warrior at heart. He had volunteered at the beginning of World War 2 as a pilot. He flew P-40 Warhawks, P-51Cs, and B-17s during the war. Afterward, he transitioned from the Army Air Corps into the Air Force after the Key West Accords. Next he flew the B-29 Superfortress, and then the F-100 Super Sabre during Korea. Finally returning to the bombers in a B-52 before retiring as a full bird colonel from active duty, and joining the Air National Guard. He stayed a colonel to fly the KC-130 and KC-135 refuelers. He told Ken stories of flying missions, of fellow pilots. He regaled him with tales of service, comradery, and brotherhood. This led Ken to join the Army and become a Paratrooper, an Airborne Infantryman. He served as a grunt, a team leader and a squad leader. After 10 years, he got out trying out civilian life. Ken bounced around from job to job, not quite finding his place. Then 9/11, that horrible day where his country, his heart was attacked. He wanted to re-up, but had made a promise to a girl, and said, “If they call me up, I’ll go.” The call never came. Instead he joined the Transportation Security Administration and Department of Homeland Security, to serve in some way. But his heart never lost the wonder and stories of his grandfather and flight. Learning all he could on flight simulations, working on flight lines at civilian airports.

Then, one day, his friend AJ called him up and told him of a group of fellow veterans serving in a unique fashion. Teaching other vets to fly, fight and win in new and unorthodox ways. AJ said, “They even gave me the call sign ALEXA.” Ken said, “Fuckin’ know it all” and laughed. But he was intrigued. He joined and met FRIDGE, HENTI, THUD, ESSP, RAHPE, ALMOST, RISEN, POLICY, DANICA, and others. He trained, crashed, landed, and learned. Finally earning his place, commission, and his call sign “RUSS.” ESSP called him “Old But Still Dangerous!” RUSS joined the 18th Fighter Squadron Wet Venom with his friend ALEXA. Come what may, RUSS would stand in the breach with his new brothers and sisters. Come hell, high water, and low whiskey levels, because “The Tide Takes All.”

APPEARS IN

No confirmed book appearances yet.