{"id":96265,"date":"2025-06-22T06:29:16","date_gmt":"2025-06-22T00:59:16","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/aviationa2z.com\/?p=96265"},"modified":"2025-06-22T02:29:46","modified_gmt":"2025-06-21T20:59:46","slug":"air-force-veteran-honored-with-wright-brothers-pilot-award","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/aviationa2z.com\/index.php\/2025\/06\/22\/air-force-veteran-honored-with-wright-brothers-pilot-award\/","title":{"rendered":"Air Force Veteran Honored With ‘Wright Brothers Master Pilot Award’ by FAA"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

COLORADO- <\/strong>The FAA<\/a> honoured 93-year-old<\/strong> Alfred Uhalt with the Wright Brothers Master Pilot Award<\/strong> in May 2025, recognising his extraordinary 77-year aviation career spanning military combat and civilian operations. His record includes over 18,000 flight hours<\/strong> across 38 military aircraft<\/strong> and 4,000 Vietnam combat hours.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Colorado Springs Air Force veteran earned the Silver Star<\/strong> for saving Army Rangers during a Viet Cong ambush. He commanded Peterson Air Force Base’s 46th Aerospace Defence Wing before retiring as a colonel in 1979.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Wright Brothers Master Pilot Award to Alfred Uhalt; Photo- The Gazette (X); Compiled by Aviation A2Z<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Colorado Air Force Veteran<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Alfred Uhalt’s aviation journey began remarkably early, obtaining his glider’s license on his 14th birthday. Two years later, he earned his private pilot’s license at age 16, soloing in a Piper Cub<\/strong> on his birthday. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Weeks after securing his pilot’s license, Uhalt pedalled a bicycle to the Department of Motor Vehicles to obtain his driver’s license. This shows his aviation priorities over traditional teenage pursuits.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Military Career<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Uhalt enlisted in the Air Force<\/a> Reserve after turning 27, graduating with distinction from Air Force flight training in 1953 as a commissioned 2nd Lieutenant. His 27-year military career encompassed extensive combat operations during the Vietnam War, where he demonstrated exceptional courage under fire. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Air Force provided Uhalt with experience across 38 different military aircraft platforms<\/strong>, accumulating extraordinary flight hours through consistent operational involvement.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Alfred Uhalt, 93, was flying planes before he could legally drive. Not long after he turned 27, Uhlt enlisted in the Air Force Reserve and began a 27-year military career that included a Silver Star for saving a platoon of Army Rangers from a Viet Cong ambush.\u2026<\/p>— Stars and Stripes (@starsandstripes) May 23, 2025<\/a><\/blockquote>