National Hire a Veteran Day is celebrated in the United States on July 25. We are honored to serve the brave men and women of the U.S. armed forces and their families as the largest provider of military passenger and cargo airlift worldwide. Through our ongoing support for U.S. service members, veterans and their families, we extend our commitment beyond the mission. We actively recruit and hire former military members, including many of our pilots, logistics team, ground crew personnel and members of our management team. Today, we share the story of Captain Gordon Penner, a veteran of the United States Air Force.
767 Captain Gordon Penner on the flight deck.
Tell us what prompted you to join the military?
I enlisted in the United States Air Force (USAF) when I was 17 years old. I was inspired by members of my family who were already in the military and by the opportunities enlisting offers. I researched all the services/different branches and believed the Air Force fit me best.
Most importantly, the military immediately catapulted me out of a low-skilled, low wage existence. I received great training, collected great experiences, met incredible people and learned how to fly in the aero club. The Air Force was everything I hoped it would be, and more. I served for 12 years.
How did being in the military helped you with your career?
My dad died when I was just nine years old, and times were tight thereafter. Joining the Air Force put me on a path to become an airline Captain at a young age. My first position in the Air Force was as an Aviation Electronic Warfare Systems Technician.
Captain Penner during his time in the Air Force.
After four years in that role, I transferred to the USAF Reserve where I worked in aircraft maintenance. I then used that as a springboard to becoming a USAF Flight Engineer on the C-141 Starlifter. This is a four-engine jet, about the size on a Boeing 767. The Flight Engineer is the third person in the cockpit of the older, heavy jets responsible for running the electrical, pneumatic, hydraulic and fuel systems, and for monitoring the engines and aircraft performance.
From there, I was accepted into a Flight Engineer position on the original KC-10 extender fuel tankers when they were new. These were international McDonnell Douglas DC-10 aircraft converted for the aerial refueling role. We were getting them straight from the factory and they smelled like new cars!
Concurrent with my time in the USAF, I was learning to fly as a pilot in the aero clubs on base and in civilian flight schools. I took on a job as an airplane flight instructor, which led to my career as a pilot on regional airlines.
The Air Force taught me how to succeed. That says it all, doesn’t it?
What inspired you to get involved in aviation?
I’ve been in love with aviation since I can remember. My father was a USAF B47 Stratojet bomber co-pilot/First Officer in the 1950’s before I was born. He was a First Officer for the original Frontier Airlines throughout my childhood. When I was eight years old, I liked to say that I was an airline pilot, but just hadn’t completed my required training yet.
How did you find Atlas?
I found Atlas through my friend, retired Atlas 747 Captain, Instructor, and Simulator Check Airman, David Luse. He was my first instructor. I was a 15-year international DC8 Captain at DHL Airways/A*star and was one of 8,400 people who lost their jobs when DHL made cuts at the Wilmington, OH distribution hub during the economic downturn in 2008. Dave helped me start at Atlas Air. I’ve been here for over 14 years now.
Captain Penner
What are some of your favorite moments and experiences working at Atlas?
As a pilot, I fondly remember a crosswind landing on the short runway in Narita, Japan in the 747. As an employee, experiencing Hong Kong, Japan, Korea, Taiwan, Luxembourg, Germany, Singapore, and Astana, Kazakhstan.
I am someone who must like going to work. I can’t stay at a place just for the paycheck. I have a friend who went to another airline but misses Atlas. I completely agree with the reasons he explained why:
1. Atlas has good training, good airplanes, but most of all, the flying is interesting and we have a good pilot group. For flying, if a person wants to see a certain part of the world, they just have to bid for it. We go everywhere!
2. As for the pilot group, we have a good ‘mix.’ We have just the right combination of standard military, expat international types, regional pilots, corporate aviators, ex- turbine helicopter types and now our international contingent, among others.
3. The flight deck environment is really pleasant.
4. Atlas Air understands the importance of family. When my mother and uncle were both sick and passed away, the Company took such good care of me.