Chris’s Journey: From the Battlefield to the Sky

Aviation has always been in Chris’s blood. His first airplane ride came at the age of five, perched on the lap of his crop-dusting father. That early exposure sparked a lifelong love for flying—one that would be put on hold during his 26-year Army career.

Throughout his service, Chris deployed multiple times and endured the physical toll of duty, including a helicopter rappelling accident that left him with fractures to his back, neck, and shoulder—all treated at Brooke Army Medical Center (BAMC).

Upon retiring from the Army, Chris dove headfirst back into aviation. Calling the sky his “happy place” would be an understatement. Flying brings him a profound sense of peace, and the thrill of aerobatics helps silence the mental echoes of his past while satisfying a deep need for adrenaline-fueled excitement.

In April 2024, Chris’s life took a dramatic turn. While landing his highly modified sport biplane, a catastrophic landing gear axle failure caused the gear to collapse, puncturing the fuel tank located directly beneath him. Though he managed to extricate himself from the aircraft, Chris sustained severe burns to his arms and legs—28.5% of his body was circumferentially burned.

He would go on to endure 14 surgeries and spend 68 days in the BAMC Burn Unit, undergoing grueling physical therapy and a long road to recovery.

Calling the recovery the hardest thing he has ever gone through, Chris says, “I could not have done it without the incredible doctors, nurses, physical therapy team, and of course, my amazing family and friends.