What
is it like to fly the President of the United States? How big is Air Force One? Where is the farthest you have flown? Have you ever been shot down?
These are just some of the questions that
Senior Master Sergeant Glenn Sparkman gets asked by students (and adults) on a
weekly basis. When SMSgt Sparkman was young, he never would have imagined that
he would be able to answer any of these questions - he only knew that his dream was to
fly!
And
fly, he did! Not only for multiple
mission in the US Air Force, but for Presidents of the United States and
Hollywood stars. Now, SMSgt Sparkman has
joined Blue Ridge Tours as our new Tour Educational Specialist to share his
vast knowledge and many experiences with our school and students.
SMSgt
Sparkman was born on August 3, 1962 in West Palm Beach, Florida. As most boys do, he loved playing with cars
and planes, and he dreamed of one day becoming a pilot. Despite struggling in school and being
diagnosed with a learning disability, he graduated from Tennessee High School
in 1981. He then enlisted in the US Air Force in September 1982 to pursue his
dream.
After
basic training, SMSgt Sparkman was assigned to the Minuteman II missile and
then to the 351st Strategic Missile Wing.
After completing C-141 aircraft flight engineer training in 1986, SMSgt Sparkman
was assigned to the 76th Military Airlift Squadron, Charleston AFB, SC. During
this time, SMSgt Sparkman was selected to represent the Wing as a member of the
“Airlift Rodeo” airdrop competition team flying the C-141 aircraft. He also
supported the Intermediate Nuclear Force (INF) treaty verification by flying
missions to the Soviet Union. SMSgt
Sparkman participated in Operations Golden Pheasant, Just Cause, Desert Shield
and Desert Storm.
In
1992, SMSgt Sparkman was assigned to the 55th Weather Reconnaissance Squadron,
McClellan AFB, CA to fly on the WC-135 aircraft. He flew on Polar (North Pole)
missions collecting data vital to National Command Authorities and Operations
American Express and Pony Express. He was selected for the initial cadre for
the OC-135 aircraft which flew the “Open Skies” nuclear treaty verification
mission. For the next year, he flew in the WC-135, the TC-135, the KC-135, and
the OC-135 aircraft.
In
1995, SMSgt Sparkman was selected for special duty assignment with the 1st
Military Airlift Squadron, Andrews AFB, MD. He quickly upgraded in the VC-137
and the VC-135 aircraft. He held positions in the squadron as the
Superintendent of Training and Standards Evaluation. In 1997, he moved to the
89th Operations Group Standards Evaluation. During this assignment, he authored
a flight crew information electronic distribution and tracking process and
developed a basic flight engineer conversion course for the Wing’s flight
mechanics. He was also selected as an augmenter to the Presidential aircrew
flying Air Force One, the President’s aircraft.
In
2001, the Presidential Airlift Group was established, and SMSgt Sparkman became
a full time crew member aboard Air Force One. At the Presidential Group, he
held the position of Superintendent of the flight engineers and the Operational
Risk Management Program for the unit.
During
his career, SMSgt Sparkman accumulated over 7000 flying hours in eight
different aircraft. His military decorations include the Meritorious Service Medal
with two oak leaf clusters, the Aerial Achievement Medal with five oak leaf
clusters, the Air Force Commendation Medal with five oak leaf clusters, the Air
Force Achievement Medal with one oak leaf cluster, and the Southwest Asia
Service Medal with three oak leaf clusters.
Because
of family and teachers who believed in him and continue to push him toward his
dream, education has always remained important to SMSgt Sparkman. He received a Bachelor of Science Degree in
Business Management from National-Lewis University in 2003. His professional
military education includes resident diplomas from the Air Force
Non-Commissioned Officer (NCO) Prep School, the Military Airlift Command NCO
Academy, and the Air Force Senior NCO Academy.
After
retiring from the Air Force in 2005 after 23 years of service, SMSgt Sparkman began his new career as an Aerospace Science Instructor at James F. Byrnes High
School in Duncan, SC. Teaching, sharing
his love of learning, and connecting with students became his passion. In 2007,
he was awarded the Air Force Junior ROTC Outstanding Instructor Award, which is
only given to approximately 20 JROTC instructors in the country.
SMSgt
Spearman is not only a great educator, but he is a true storyteller. Hearing him weave a story of flying four
Presidents together aboard Air Force One with another tale of flying a
diplomatic envoy leaves you on the edge of your seat as you wonder what is
next. How exciting for Blue Ridge Tours
to be able to offer this great storyteller and guide to our schools.