Lieutenant Colonel Jack B. Scoggins, USAF (Ret)

LTC Scoggins' aviation career commenced in 1954 at Columbus Air Force Base, Mississippi, where he trained on Piper Cubs and T-6 trainers. He advanced to Reese AFB in Texas for T-28 and B-25 aircraft training before transitioning to the heavy-lift C-124 Globemaster II at Donaldson AFB in South Carolina. Over 16 years, he accumulated more than 5,000 flight hours in the C-124, executing global missions that included resupply operations to the Arctic Distant Early Warning Line (DEWL), Antarctica’s Operation Deep Freeze, logistical support across Europe, and critical supply flights through the Berlin Corridor. In 1964, Scoggins was stationed at Hunter Field in Savannah, Georgia, where he conducted worldwide supply missions, including to South Vietnam.

Transitioning to rotary-wing aviation, Scoggins trained on the UH-1 Huey, HH-3 "Jolly Green Giant," and HH-53 "Super Jolly Green Giant." Assigned to an Air Force base in Udorn Thailand, he flew over 50 combat search and rescue (SAR) missions during the Vietnam War with approximately 300 combat hours. His valor in rescuing two downed pilots under hostile conditions earned him two Distinguished Flying Crosses, underscoring his heroism and dedication.

Subsequent assignments included serving as Maintenance Quality Control Officer at Forbes AFB in Kansas and supporting NASA's space capsule recovery missions at Patrick AFB in Florida. His role as Operations Officer included preparing for the possible need for astronaut recovery in the ocean (both shallow and deep-water), or on land, should a problem occur for the astronauts at, or near, the launch site. He was promoted to Lieutenant Colonel during his tenure with NASA. After 21 years of exemplary service, LTC Scoggins retired from the Air Force in 1974.

Post-retirement, LTC Scoggins settled in Valdosta, Georgia, where he became a cornerstone of the local aviation community. He served as a flight instructor at Holland Flying Service and later cofounded Air Valdosta, a flight training firm, and assisted in selection of the original instructors for Georgia Flight School in Eastman, Ga. Along the way, he also piloted corporate aircraft for regional companies. In addition, he had the honor of piloting one of six TBM’s flying overhead of Air Force 1 as George Bush departed from a reunion with the crew of the aircraft carrier where he served in WW2. LTC Scoggins’ military and civilian flight hours surpass 20,000!

In 1977, LTC Scoggins was designated as an FAA Pilot Examiner, a role he fulfilled for decades, administering approximately 2000 flight checks and licensing exams to aspiring pilots. One of those whom he licensed went on to become the Acting Director of the FAA. Over 50 years, he trained more than 150 students, including his son, Greg, and grandson, Mason, fostering a legacy of aviation excellence within his family and the broader community. He earned the Wright Brothers Master Pilot Award, obtained the Aircraft and Powerplant licenses, was an Aircraft Inspector, and awarded the Ruby Award for Aircraft Maintenance Technicians.

In recognition of his contributions, LTC Scoggins was named the 2015 Georgia Flight Instructor of the Year by the Georgia Aviation Hall of Fame. He flew his own aircraft until age 91, when he made the difficult decision to give up his pilot’s license. However, at 94, he continues to mentor aspiring pilots using advanced flight simulation technology.