For nearly 30 years, Colonel David Etheredge served in the skies as part of the Alabama Air National Guard.
A Birmingham-based pilot and former Commander of the 117th Maintenance Group, Etheredge led more than 300 airmen responsible for maintaining and flying KC-135R refueling aircraft that supported missions around the world.
Today, he lives in Birmingham with his wife, Laura Clark, and they share four wonderful daughters.
His path to aviation began early. “I get that from my dad’s side,” he said. “My father was a retired Army Reserve, and several of my uncles fought in World War II. I didn’t really want to do the Army—I wanted to fly, and the Air Force was the best place to do that.”
Etheredge said his childhood experiences helped spark that dream.
“Those same uncles who were from Georgia would always come to our family reunions here in Alabama way back in the day,” he recalled. “I always thought it was super cool.” That interest led him to earn his private pilot’s license before joining the Alabama Air Guard in Birmingham.
“I was selected to go to pilot training with them and fly the KC-135 air refuelers,” he said. “That was in ’93, and I retired in ’22—so about 28 years and some change.”
During those years, Etheredge flew combat and support missions in Iraq and Afghanistan and served as an Air Force accident investigator and safety officer. One flight he recalls most vividly was a medical evacuation from Guam to Hawaii following a B-2 stealth bomber crash.
“One pilot was fine, but the other had back injuries,” he said. “We landed, picked him up, and took him to Hawaii. He was having chest issues, and we had to worry about the cabin altitude, but we got him there and he completely recovered. That was definitely one of the most rewarding missions.”
Etheredge’s experience in aviation safety has made recent news of the MD-11 crash in Louisville deeply personal. He currently flies that same aircraft model and knew two of the three pilots on board.
“I flew with one of them back in July or August,” he said. “His name was Lee Truitt—he was a young guy with three kids. All of them were professionals, well-liked. It’s an absolute tragedy.”
Etheredge said the MD-11 fleet has been grounded until the investigation is complete. “I’m glad they grounded the airplanes until they figure out exactly what happened,” he said. “You try to compartmentalize that stuff, but your family and friends still ask, ‘Are you sure you want to do this?’”
Since his retirement from the Guard in 2022, Etheredge has continued to fly for UPS. The transition was smooth, he said, because he’d spent nearly a decade balancing both roles. “I’ve basically been going back and forth for most of my career,” he said. “It’s actually a little easier now because I’m not out of town as much.”
When asked what Veterans Day means to him, Etheredge reflected on the shared sacrifices of those who serve.
“Everybody always says, ‘thank you for your service,’” he said. “To me, it’s honoring people who put the uniform on and served. Not everybody’s deployed, but everybody’s made a sacrifice as far as family. I’ve just been proud to serve. Most of my best friends are ex-military I’ve deployed with—it definitely builds a bond.”
Etheredge is a veteran of multiple operations, including Joint Forge, Iraqi Freedom, Enduring Freedom, Northern Watch, Southern Watch, Inherent Resolve, Freedom’s Sentinel, and Noble Eagle. Over his career, he has flown more than 220 combat and combat support sorties in the KC-135 and logged more than 10,000 military and civilian flying hours.
In addition to his operational experience, he served as a Flying Safety Officer, Aircraft Mishap Investigator, and Safety and Accident Investigation Board President. A highly decorated pilot, his honors include the Legion of Merit, Meritorious Service Medal with one oak leaf cluster, Air Medal with three oak leaf clusters, and Aerial Achievement Medal with one oak leaf cluster.
Despite his long list of commendations, Etheredge views them as symbols of shared effort rather than personal glory.
“The Air Medal recognizes combat missions and combat support,” he said. “The Legion of Merit kind of takes in your entire career. I’m honored to have gotten them both.”
Asked what he would tell young Alabamians thinking about joining the military, Etheredge offered the kind of steady, straightforward advice that only experience can teach.
“Do your research and realize what you’re getting into,” he said. “It can be very challenging, and you’re going to have to give 110%. You’ll have to make sacrifices with family and time, but it’s truly rewarding. You meet a lot of good people, and you get great training in whatever career field you choose.”
He encourages young people to consider the Air Guard not just for flight, but for the wide range of skills it offers.
“If you don’t want to fly, you can be a mechanic, work in maintenance, finance, HR, or security police,” he said. “Whatever your interests or talents are, there’s a place for you. Even if you just want to do it for college money, it’s worth it.”
After nearly three decades in uniform, Etheredge said the years have left him grateful—and grounded. “It’s been extremely rewarding,” he said. “I don’t regret a single minute of it.”
Thank you to all veterans who have sacrificed their time and so much more to protect the freedoms we have today.
Sherri Blevins is a staff writer for Yellowhammer News. You may contact her at [email protected].
