Issue link: http://www.e-digitaleditions.com/i/404977
IN THEIR OWN WORDS A A .COM/FINAL APPROACH In Their Own Words COURTESY OF JIM PALMERSHEIM A S A VETERAN of the United States military and an Airbus captain with American, it was my honor and privilege to serve with the United States Air Force and Air Force Reserve for years, a career that began with years of active duty before joining American. During my time with the Air Force, I was mobilized for Desert Storm, ew over , hours in support of national objectives and was deployed into Afghanistan and Iraq ve times. I nished my Air Force career with a ve- year return to active duty. Aside from the activation, all of my service was voluntary, which I could not have done without the incredible support from American Airlines. When the Air Force called, American was gracious enough to let me go, no matter the timing. Later in my career, it became my honor to go out on another military leave of absence from American Airlines All-American After 35 years in the Air Force, Airbus Captain Frank Padilla continues to honor and serve. Do you have a story to tell our passengers? Email us at ourcompany@aa.com to command th Air Force, a ,-Airman organiza- tion headquartered at the Joint Reserve Base in Fort Worth, Texas. It was a humbling experience to represent the Air Force Reserve contribution to Air Force ghters, bombers, special ops, combat search and rescue, space and cyber- space. I served my last two years as the Deputy Inspector General of the Air Force at the Pentagon. Upon my retirement from the Air Force, I returned to y again for American Airlines and joined the Fort Worth Airpower Foundation, an organization dedicated to sup- porting active duty, reserve and military families, as well as wounded warriors and veterans. In these capacities, I have been privileged to continue serving projects such as American Airlines Sky Ball, Snowball Express and other much-needed efforts supporting our nation's veterans and their families. This summer, it was an opportunity of a lifetime to be chosen by American and the Airpower Foundation to represent them at the th anniversary of the Normandy Invasion in Picauville, France. Honoring our Greatest Generation was an awesome experience I will never forget. Meanwhile, I'm thrilled to be back ying at American Airlines. I still can't seem to wipe the grin off my face. I hope to y with you soon! (From left): American Airlines director of veteran and military affairs Jim Palmersheim, Captain Frank Padilla and vice chairman of the Airpower Foundation John Kinnear hold memo- rial wreaths as American Airlines com- memorates the 70th anniversary of the Normandy Invasion in Picauville, France. N A M E : F r a n k P a d i l l a C I T Y : D a l l a s / F o r t W o r t h J O B : A i r b u s C a p t a i n Y E A R S W I T H A M E R I C A N : 1 2 6 N OV E M B E R 2 01 4 A A .CO M/A M E R I C A NWAY