In this episode of Living History with Alex, we sit down with Colonel Tom Oatmeyer, a U.S. Air Force veteran whose 30-year career took him from the skies over Vietnam to the rebuilding of Homestead Air Force Base after Hurricane Andrew.

From flying F-4 Phantoms over Southeast Asia to piloting F-16 Fighting Falcons during the 1980s and ’90s, Oatmeyer’s story is one of dedication, resilience, and a lifetime in the cockpit. He reflects on his combat missions, his survival of personal loss, his leadership during historic moments, and the legacy of service passed down through generations of his family.

🌟 Topics Covered:

✈️ Flying the F-4 Phantom during the Vietnam War

🛩️ Transitioning to the F-16 and 25 years in the cockpit

🔥 Losing everything in a fire and finding meaning beyond material things

🏠 Rebuilding Homestead Air Force Base after Hurricane Andrew

🦅 Bringing Strategic Air Command into Air Combat Command

👨‍👩‍👧 Family, faith, and the next generation of pilots

💡 Life lessons on leadership, service, and embracing challenges

This isn’t just the story of a pilot — it’s the story of a man who made history across three decades of service, both in the air and on the ground.

If you enjoy stories of courage, aviation, and legacy, make sure to like, comment, and subscribe for more episodes of Living History with Alex.

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