|
| | Iditarod Air Force Crew
2010
 |
Robert “Bert” Hanson. Chief Pilot
|
|
Iditarod
pilot since 1984, Assistant Chief Pilot at Unalakleet from 2006-2009. Chief
pilot in 2010. One of our longest flying pilot volunteers.
Born and raised in Alaska, lives in Anchorage with wife Reb and family.
Chief pilot in 1989 and 1991. Ran the Iditarod (behind dogs) in 1990 and 1993.
Aircraft pilot and mechanic, currently flying commercially for Alaska Airlines.
Bert flies a Cessna 180 aircraft for the Iditarod Air Force.
|
|
Danny Davidson.
Asst. Chief Pilot Nome
|
|
Has been flying for ITC every year since
1981, averaging 100 + hours a year. A retired steel erection contractor,
Danny now operates an Air Taxi business, Davidson Aviation. Hopes are that
this business will help maintain the plane and additionally give profits to
Christian Pilots Association of Alaska, where he is also a missionary pilot.
Wife” Matilda” Daughter still at home Dani, now in an aviation format at UAA
|
|
Wes Erb ,
Asst. Chief Pilot
|
| Iditarod Pilot since 2005. Wes
grew up in Hendersonville, NC, moved to Alaska in 1994 and lives in
Chugiak with his wife and daughter. He is a MD-11 first officer for
FedEx, is an active Civil Air Patrol pilot, and flies a 1965 Cessna 180
for the Iditarod Air Force. |
|
Phil Morgan, ANC Asst. Chief Pilot
|
|
Iditarod
pilot since 1995. Born and raised in Alaska. Lives in Anchorage. Captain for
Alaska Airlines. Phil normally flies a Cessna 185 for the Iditarod Air Force.
Phil was the Red Lantern Winner for the 2005 Iditarod. He has been
flying with the IAF since 95.
|
|
David Beckett
|
| Dave has been an IAF pilot
since 2009 and will be flying the only Helio Courier in the air force
year. When not too busy shoveling and scraping the local hockey rink for his
kids, he drives a 747-400 for UPS. While Dave has only been an Alaska
resident since 2000. His wife Rebecca was born and raised in Alaska. They
currently reside in Eagle River with their four boys.
|
|
Ernie Bojon
|
|
Ernie has been an IAF pilot
since 2009. Moved
to Anchorage from California, February 1978, 31 years ago. Climbed Denali
May, 1979. Retired from FedEx Aircraft Maintenance, November, 2003. Obtained
Private Pilot license in 1964 at Raleigh, North Carolina, while serving as a
Green Beret at Fort Bragg, N.C. |
=
|
Marty Carlson
|
|
Marty
Carlson. Marty has been an Iditarod pilot since 2004. He has recently
retired from commercial flying after some 40 years of driving airplanes. He
now gets to spend more time with his lovely wife Antje and grandkids Tom,
Max and George. He still has a couple of secondhand German Shorthairs. Oh, he also flies a C-185 for the IAF occasionally
.
|
|
Richard Dowling
|
|
Iditarod
pilot since 1994. 38 year resident, originally from Florida. Lives in
Anchorage. Engineer for General Communication Inc. Richard flies a Cessna 185
for the Iditarod Air Force.
|
|
Russ Dunlap |
|
I've
been an Iditarod Air Force Pilot since 2001.
Alaska
resident since 1994. Alaska Airlines pilot since 1988. Lives in Palmer with his
wife and 2 sons. Russ flies a Cessna 180 for the Iditarod Air Force.
|
|
Sean
Ellis |
|
I currently don't own an airplane at the time but plan to fly Bert
Hanson's Cessna 180 this year. I have been flying in Alaska for over 30
years and love ski plane flying. I am a current CFI and A&P with an IA.
I normally fly a Boeing 737 for Alaska Airlines but on any given day you
can find me at the Birchwood Airport working on the Alaska Star Flying
Club airplanes or enjoying the Alaska scenery from the cockpit of one of
the club's planes. This will be my first year with the IAF. I look
forward to working with all the great volunteers of the Ididarod Air
force.
 m
|
|
Greg Fischer
|
|
Born in
Anchorage, I’ve lived my whole life in Alaska. Despite considerable
travel on a world-wide scale, I keep coming home to Alaska and really
can’t point at a better place. I have been married to Teresa Imm for 23
years and have two “kids” – son Grady, a roughneck on the north slope
and daughter Mackenzie, a freshman at Johns Hopkins University in
Baltimore.
After getting
my pilots license in the mid-1980’s, I’ve made a goal of flying to as
many new places as possible. I’ve flown all over Alaska and as far south
as San Francisco, CA (on floats and around the western states and
Canada. |
|
Glen Hanson.
|
|
Pilot since 1984. Started flying a Cessna 185 and using a 182. A & P mechanic and was a commercial pilot for Northern Air Cargo and PenAir. Iditarod trail breaker 2 years. Currently living in Anchorage with
his wife and working as an energy consultant.
|
|
Scott Ivany
|
| Scott is new to
the IAF this year. He has been following the race since he was a child
growing up in Michigan. Scott moved to Alaska in 2005. He started flying in
the right seat with his mother in 1984 and earned his private pilots license
in 1999. Since then Scott has earned his Commercial, single and multi engine
license and instrument rating. Now he enjoys flying the Last Frontier to get
out of the office as much as possible. Scott runs a General contracting Firm
in Anchorage. He looks forward to flying with the Iditarod Air Force for
many years to come. He flies a Cessna 180.
|
|
Ken Kastner |
|
Iditarod
pilot since 2001. 25 year Alaska resident. Ken lives in Anchorage with wife
Lorraine. Ken recently retired after 25 years with Eastman Kodak Co. and now
operates a small construction business. Ken flies a Cessna 180 for the
Iditarod Airforce. |
 
|
Jim Kintz.
|
|
Iditarod
pilot since 1993. 47 year resident of Alaska, originally from Gillette,
Wyoming. Lives in Anchorage. Retired engineer and land developer. Commercial
hunting guide and pilot. Jim flies a Cessna 180 for the Iditarod Air Force.
|
|
David
Looney |
|
David has been in Alaska for 16 years as a full time HH-60
Helicopter pilot for the Alaska Air National Guard. He have been
flying Maules through the Alaskan backcountry for 12 years in
search of game, fish, and enjoyment. |
|
Monte Mabry
 |
Iditarod pilot since 1997. 22
year Alaska resident, born in Tennessee; lived in Montana, Oklahoma, the
Carolinas, Texas, Mexico, Papua New Guinea and London, England before settling
down in Alaska. Monte holds an ATP but prefers to fly on his own. In his other
life he is an Exploration Geophysicist at Conoco Phillips Alaska. Monte flies a
Cessna 180K for Iditarod Air Force.
|
|
|
Bill Mayer
|
|
Iditarod
pilot since 1990. 29 year Alaska resident, originally from Philadelphia, PA.
Bill is a cardiologist and president of Alaska Heart Institute, previous Chief
of Cardiology at Providence Hospital. Bill flies a Cessna 185 for Iditarod
Air Force.
|
|
Gregory Miller
|
|
Gregory has been an IAF
pilot since 2009 I
have about 4500 TT. Commercial, instrument, single engine land/sea, multi
engine land, CFII/MEI, glider, typed in PV2 (Harpoon) and P2V (Neptune).
I've been in Alaska 21 years. Have owned 9 planes. Long ago, in a place
far, far away (Lower 48), I flew fire bombers -- that's where the type
ratings come from. By day I'm an attorney in a private law firm in
Anchorage (Birch, Horton, Bittner & Cherot), practicing LOTS of aviation
law, plus civil and criminal defense.
 |
|
Bruce Moroney |
|
Iditarod pilot since 1986. 34 year
Alaska
resident, originally from
Los Altos,
Calif.
Bruce holds an ATP and has been flying commercially since 1971. Bruce flew
for several
Alaska
bush operators until joining Alaska International Air/MarkAir in 1977, where
he spend 19 years flying the C-130 and B-737. Bruce now flies the B-747 for
Atlas Air flying world wide. Bruce is an Iditarod musher, finishing twice,
last Iditarod 2001. Bruce flies a C-185 on skis which he owns with his wife
Diana
, also an Iditarod Airforce pilot.
|
|
Diana
Moroney
|
|
Iditarod
pilot since 1998. 32 year
Alaska
resident, originally from
Monterey
,
California
.
Diana
holds an ATP and has flown commercially in
Alaska
since 1995, flying the DC-3, DC-6, Casa-212.
Diana
currently flies the
ATR-72 for Empire Airlines.
Diana
has been involved in Sled Dog racing since the early 80’s and has raced
the Iditarod 10 times, (last Iditarod 2005).
Diana
has also run the Hope race,
Nome
to Anadyr
Russia
and the Yukon Quest, Knik-200, Kobuk-440, Copper Basin-300 and Beargrase-500
as well as many others.
Diana
flies a Cessna-185 on skis for Iditarod which she owns with her husband
Bruce, also an Iditarod Airforce pilot.
|
|
George Murphy
|
|
Iditarod
pilot since 1980. Chief pilot in 1992. George and Danny Davidson are some of the
longest flying members of the IAF.39 year resident, originally from
Massachusetts. Lives at Long Lake in Willow, Alaska.
George is an engineer, pilot and owner of Alaska Bush Expeditions, a
charter service in Willow. George flies an Aeronica for the Iditarod Air Force.
Dorthia keeps George young by going on really great adventures
|
|
Greg
Niesen
|
|
Iditarod Pilot
since 2005. Greg Niesen was born and raised in Alaska. Greg grew up
around airplanes, flying out of his hometown of Seward, Alaska with his
father. He currently owns a Piper PA-18 and a Cessna 180. Greg is
President
/
CEO of
Frontier Business Systems and rebuilds airplanes as a hobby. In his
spare time, he hunts, fishes and explores remote areas of Alaska in his
plane. He lives on a private airstrip in
Peters
Creek with his wife and two teenage
boys.
|
|
John Norris.
|
|
Iditarod pilot since 1989. Chief Pilot from 1996 to 2009. 24 year
Alaska resident, originally from Placerville, California.
Lives in Anchorage with wife Donna, and son Jeffrey. John is Marketing
Company President for U-Haul Company of Alaska/ Yukon.
John flies a Cessna 180 for the Iditarod Air Force. His wife Donna works
in the background to make sure things get done.
|
|
Joe Pendergrass
|
|
Joe is returning this year
after taking last year off.
Iditarod pilot since 1998. Co-Chief Pilot
with John Norris 2000 to 2004. Born and raised in Alaska. Lives in Wasilla
with wife Linda. Retired from the State of Alaska as a Correctional
Superintendent. Currently a seasonal commercial pilot for Denali Air. Joe
flies a Cessna 180 for the Iditarod Air Force. |
|
Wes Price
|
|
Wes has been with the IAF
since 2008. He started last year at the beginning of the race.
Wes grew up in a ranching family in eastern Oregon and moved
to Alaska in 2004 to go to work for KPMG. He started flying in high school
and earned his private license at age 17. Now he enjoys flying the Last
Frontier to get out of the office as much as possible. Wes runs Price
Accounting & Consulting LLC, a local CPA firm specializing in outsourced
accounting functions. He looks forward to many more years of flying with
the Iditarod Air Force.
He flies a
beautiful Cessna 185. |
|
Reagan Russey.
|
|
Iditarod pilot since 1987 and flying without a break. Alaska
resident since 1979 after having lived all over the world in the military. A retired
Air Force pilot, Reagan is originally from Texas and now lives in Anchorage with
his wife, Charlene, and works as a real estate agent. Reagan flies a 1966 model
Cessna 180H on hydraulic wheels skies in support of the race. During the
off season when Reagan is not selling real estate or helping with the
family owned travel agency he is out flying in pursuit of serious
hunting and fishing. |
|
Bill Schwaab
|
|
Bill is a new IAF pilot
this year.
I came to Alaska
in June 1971 after graduating from college in California to work
construction and for adventure. I fell in love with the Great Land.
The FAA hired me as a developmental Air Traffic Controller to start my
aviation career. I fell in love with flying airplanes and then fell in
love with Jean, my Kodiak wife of 35 years. I stayed in ATC for 32
years before retiring; with a break of 4 years flying for Kodiak Western
Alaska Airlines in Kodiak, Dillingham, & King Salmon in the 1970’s. I
became a CFII & MEI to keep my hand in flying. I bought a C185 in
Canada in 2003 and have been enjoying it on floats, wheels, and skis.
Since retiring from the FAA I have flown for a couple of air taxis and
worked as an A& P helper.
|
|
Mike Swalling
|
|
Mike joined the Iditarod Pilot
in 2009 and is a lifelong Alaskan who has been flying since age 18.
Mike is the owner of Swalling Construction Co. and is married to Linda
Chase. They have three children, CeeCee, Chase and Alexandra. Any time not
spent at home with the family is spent flying, fishing and duck hunting.
|
.JPG)
|
Jerry
Wortley |
|
Jerry's
been an IAF pilot
since 2007.
I was
raised on a farm in Idaho and graduated from the University of
Idaho in 1971. My interest in aviation started at a young age
and I began flying 40 years ago in a PA12. After college I
spent a tour in the Marine Corps as a RIO in F-4J Phantoms.
After the Marine Corps I became an aviation insurance broker
specializing in commercial accounts. I hold an ATP with 6000+
hours and currently fly a Piper Cheyenne for business and a
Cessna 180 on wheels, skis & floats for business and pleasure.
|
 
Our Pen
Air Crew
Bill
Batman has been flying Iditarod Support since 2001. He flies the
Caravan and can load a whole dog team and sled without breaking
into a sweat.
Now we have the Logistics Coordinators
|
Britany Hanson
Anchorage |
|
Brittany Hanson was born and
raised in Alaska and has been around aviation and the Iditarod for as long as
she can remember. As the daughter of a long time IAF pilot, Bert Hanson,
Brittany has seen both the flying side of the race and the ground side of the
race when her father ran in 1990 and 1993 and again when her sister Kimarie ran
in 1998, not to mention the numerous times her siblings ran the Junior
Iditarod.Brittany is currently an Assistant Manager at Century 16 Theaters in
Anchorage and is in the process of finishing up a degree in Computer Networking
Technology through the University of Alaska Anchorage. |
|
Hannelore Kelliher
NL7EA.
Load Coorddinator McGrath &Nome
|
|
Iditarod Comms volunteer,
since the late 70’s, holds a private pilot SEL/S.
Iditarod Load Coordinator Since 2001.
|
|
Nan Llewellyn, Load
Coordinator McGrath |
| |
|
Load Coordinator since 2009 was born and raised
in Boulder Montana. During my Montana years I followed the Race to the Sky
dog sled race. I moved to Alaska in 2003. I love the excitement of the
Iditarod Race and have never missed a Ceremonial Start or Restart since
moving to Alaska. I received my undergrad degree in Aviation Management
from the University of North Dakota and my Masters of Business
Administration from Alaska Pacific University. While at UND, I received my
Commercial / Instrument Pilot certificate- SMEL. I’ve worked in the
management-side of aviation for over 6 years. I am an Aviation Planner at
DOWL HKM in Anchorage and have traveled to airports all over the State for
work, from Ugashik to Klawock. I am actively involved with the Alaska
Airmen’s Association and have served on the Board of Directors since 2008. I
am currently helping a friend rebuild his C-170; this has been a very good
learning experience for me. I don’t have my own plane, but enjoy going up
with friends. Outside of work and aviation my interests include: following
the Iditarod Race, hunting, ice fishing and summer fishing, kayaking,
camping, softball, snowshoeing, traveling abroad, and knitting. I live in
Anchorage.
|
|
Debby Miller Load
Coordinator Unalakleet
|
|
This is Debs 1st year
with the IAF andwill be helping Teri in Unalakleet.
Deb is a
dentist in Anchorage since 1986 and a resident of Alaska for 37 years.
Acquired my private pilots lisence and float rating in 1995. I have a 180HP
Aeronca Sedan 1246H. Previously, I was the active load coordinator in Unalakleet |
|
Teri Paton, Load
Coordinator Unalakleet
|
|
|
|
Teri has been a Volunteer
with the Iditarod since 1999, started with ANC HQ sales, phone room, ITC HQ
office help, restart dog handler, trail guard, and working both ( musher and
people) food drops. In 2001 headed out on the trail as a “hub” cook, and
in 2007 helped in UNK as an IAF asst. load coordinator and took over as
housing coordinator for out of state volunteers/mushers. The rest of the
year, I’m a soccer mom, school volunteer and C.P.A.
|
=
|
Susan Watson, Load
Coordinator,Anchorage HQ
|
|
Susan has been the
Anchorage Coordinator since 2008. She moved to Alaska from Columbus, Ohio in 1999. She
works at Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport as a Leasing Officer at
the Lake Hood General Aviation office. She loves flying (especially on
floats) and airplanes of all kinds. She is very excited to be a part of the
"Last Great Race"! |
Loaders
Bill Curzie
Bill has been a loader in Willow and McGrath . He
also is a writer and an avid baseball enthusiast
Jay Holtan Jay
was bornn
and raised in Alaska and a 30 year pilot, He became an "Iditarod Junkie" in
1996. That year, he and his son embarked on an unforgettable adventure following
the dogs in their Cessna 170, camping along the trail to Nome. Most recently he
has been a volunteer, setting up and working the Eagle Island checkpoint in 2007
and with Bert in Unalakleet for the 2008
race.
Al Ostrowski
Al
moved to Alaska in 2000 courtesy of the US Army and decided to stay. He's been
an Iditarod volunteer since 2002. He lives in Eagle River with his wife,
daughter, and three dogs
|
Mark Kelliher KL7TQ McGrath
|
|
I have been a Communications Volunteer
since the 70's, but now retired from Comms.. I am assisting the IAF with prestaging of supplies
from Anchorage and McGrath. I create the IAF website and the pilots handbook
|
THE OFFICIAL IDITAROD PHOTOGRAPHER
JEFF SCHULTZ
Jeff has been photographing the Iditarod since
1981 and has been volunteering his time and talent as the official photographer
since 1982. His God-given talent has resulted in his Iditarod photos being
published worldwide in books, calendars, advertisements, magazines and the
like. You can see more of his work or purchase Iditarod books, calendars and
posters at
www.schultzphoto.com
| Mark Nordman
Race Marshal |
|
|
Andy Willis
Logistics Manager |
Ho Ho HO back to top
|
