Page 8 - Luke AFB Thunderbolt, February 2022

8 Thunderbolt Photo Feature February 2022 9
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Gossner brothers take flight over Luke AFB

By Senior Airman With about 13,000 flight hours and I were very close. It was our “It went pretty well, and
DAviD BuSBy in various aircraft under his belt, family’s collective love of flying then at the end we did a Basic
Sean has long since earned his that really drove us to be pilots for Fighter Maneuver set, which
56th Fighter Wing Public Affairs wings and is now an instructor. most of our lives. We would devi- [essentially is] dogfighting,”
Many years ago, in Peachtree, “It takes a long time to become ate now and again, but we would said Nicholas. “I lost, which
Georgia, two brothers dreamed an instructor pilot in the Air always come back to flying. Then was to be expected, but it went
about following in their family’s Force,” said Sean. “The first two Sean became a pilot, which drove better than I thought it would,
footsteps — to soar through the years was just learning to become that desire even more.” so I was happy to learn from
skies, faster than falcons and a pilot, and then transitioning Despite sharing their career the loss.”
to serve their country, as their from a winged aviator to flying field, it was unlikely that they As an instructor, Sean was
father had done in the U.S. Air the F-15E Strike Eagle, which would have the opportunity to fly particularly impressed.
Force. took about nine months to learn. at the same time, let alone during “I’m really proud of [Nicho-
Today, that dream is a reality When I got to my first operational the same mission. Regardless, las]; it’s been exciting to see his
for both U.S. Air Force Capt. Sean unit in Idaho, I spent about two that’s what happened on a cool, journey,” said Sean. “He’s about
“Echo” Gossner, 63rd Fighter and a half years there and left sunny day in January at Luke six years younger than me, so
Squadron F-35A Lightning II as a four-ship flight lead. It was AFB. it’s been cool to see him come
instructor pilot, and younger only when I moved to Luke Air “It was a fun flight,” said Nicho- up through Reserve Officer
brother 1st Lt. Nicholas “Trek” Force Base three and a half years las. “We wanted to fly together for Training Corps, pilot train-
Gossner, 308th FS F-35A student ago that I became an instructor a long time, but due to (Sean) be- ing, and then studying here
pilot, who both serve at Luke Air pilot. [It was] about six years total ing in weapons school, he couldn’t at Luke AFB to fly the F-35. I
Force Base, which sits just 24 from the [beginning] to where I get away to come fly before now. have not had a direct hand in U.S. Air Force 1st Lt. Nicholas “Trek” Gossner, 308th Fighter Squadron
miles west of Phoenix, Arizona. am now.” We flew a strike mission, where his training up until our flight, F-35A Lightning II student pilot, inspects his aircraft before a flight
“Before he had us [my broth- On the other hand, Nicholas we have pre-planned or dynamic but I was able to take two F-35s Jan. 12, 2022, at Luke Air Force Base, Ariz. The flight was his first with
ers and I], my dad was in the Air has just begun his path in the Air targets that we are given when we cross-country for a pilot train- U.S. Air Force Capt. Sean “Echo” Gossner, 63rd Fighter Squadron F-35A his older brother, Capt. Sean “Echo” Gossner, a 63rd FS F-35A instruc-
Force flying the C-130 Hercules Force as a fighter pilot. are in the air. We went out to face ing outreach at the same time Lightning II instructor pilot, prepares to take off Jan. 12, 2022, at Luke Air U.S. Air Force Capt. Sean “Echo” Gossner, 63rd Fighter Squad- tor pilot.
and is a Delta pilot today,” said “[Our] dad flew C-130s back in a [mock] air threat, surface-to-air he was selected to fly the F-35, Force Base, Arizona. With more than 350 flight hours in the F-35A, Gossner ron F-35A Lightning II instructor pilot (left), and his brother 1st
Sean. “Growing up, we already the day, and it seemed like a re- threats and fought our way in to so I knew I would be there for demonstrates his skills daily, both in the air and in the classroom. He and Lt. Nicholas “Trek” Gossner, 308th FS F-35A student pilot (right),
had that background of being ally cool job,” he said. “[Our] older strike the targets and fight our that. It was really special.” 1st Lt. Nicholas “Trek” Gossner, 308th FS F-35A student pilot, flew a sortie step out to the flight line Jan. 12, 2022, at Luke Air Force Base,
[connected to] the Air Force, and brother Zach, who flies C-130s way back out.” The two brothers-in-arms together for the first time over Gila Bend Air Force Auxiliary Field, perform- Arizona.
it was always in our minds. I was in the Montana National Guard, After mission completion, the look forward to carrying on ing mock combat training maneuvers as part of Nicholas’ training to become
looking for something that was a really liked planes and was only flight ended with additional their family’s tradition and a fighter pilot.
little different and unique.” two years older than me, so he training. legacy together at Luke AFB.

Photos by Senior Airman David Busby
U.S. Air Force Capt. Sean “Echo” Gossner, 63rd Fighter Squadron F-35A Lightning II instructor pilot, and his brother 1st Lt. Nicholas “Trek” Gossner, 308th FS F-35A student pilot, taxi in their F-35A aircraft down the flight line Jan. 12, 2022, at Luke Air Force Base, Arizona. The Gossner brothers flew together for the first time over Gila Bend Air Force Auxil-
iary Field, performing mock combat training maneuvers as part of Nicholas’ training to become a fighter pilot.