Show notes
In this episode, retired Navy pilot Fred Lewis shares his incredible journey from learning to fly a Cessna at BYU to launching jets off aircraft carriers during the Vietnam era. Fred takes us inside the high-pressure world of naval aviation—night landings on carriers, hair-raising near misses, aerial refueling, and dogfighting drills.Beyond the cockpit, Fred reflects on the camaraderie of his squadron, the sacrifice of fellow service members, and the lessons he carried into family life and beyond. From his first solo flight to serving aboard the USS Kitty Hawk, his stories reveal the grit, danger, and humor of life as a military aviator.



