As a child, he always dreamed of being a pilot... and that dream came true.  Col. Rusty Mitchell, Ret. served in the United States Air Force for more than 22 years, and over that span was a fighter pilot and squadron commander in the Far East, Europe, and finally, the first commander of the 21st Fighter Squadron at our own Luke Air Force Base. 

Toward the end of his career, Mitchell was selected for promotion to colonel, but due to family priorities chose to decline, and retired in 1998.   "The decision to retire was hard, especially with having a line number for colonel but at the time my kids were transitioning to high school, my wife Pat had a job she loved as a registered nurse and the New Parents Support Program director here at Luke, and we wanted to ensure we stayed in the Phoenix area," he said.  He then enjoyed two decades as an Airline Captain with United Airlines, where he was based out of the San Francisco Bay area.

Mr Mitchell has served as a consultant to the City of Buckeye in helping to develope a long term plan for the use of the airport.