For nearly 30 years, Colonel David Etheredge served in the skies as part of the Alabama Air National Guard.

A Birmingham-based pilot and former Commander of the 117th Maintenance Group, Etheredge led more than 300 airmen responsible for maintaining and flying KC-135R refueling aircraft that supported missions around the world.

Today, he lives in Birmingham with his wife, Laura Clark, and they share four wonderful daughters.

His path to aviation began early. “I get that from my dad’s side,” he said. “My father was a retired Army Reserve, and several of my uncles fought in World War II. I didn’t really want to do the Army—I wanted to fly, and the Air Force was the best place to do that.”

Etheredge said his childhood experiences helped spark that dream.

“Those same uncles who were from G

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