COLONEL ALTON WHITLEY, USAF (Ret)
Meet a real stealth fighter pilot this Memorial Day weekend!

Family Flight Lab
Saturday, May 23 | 10am-3pm

Prepare for takeoff! Kids (and their adult co-pilots) will spread their wings and hit the heights at AMP’s first-ever 𝗙𝗮𝗺𝗶𝗹𝘆 𝗙𝗹𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁 𝗟𝗮𝗯! This day will feature interactive experiences that will simulate flight, fun art projects, and the opportunity to meet a real U.S. Air Force fighter pilot. With our sky-high mural as a backdrop, this exciting event will have your imagination soaring!

𝟭𝟬𝗮𝗺–𝟯𝗽𝗺: 𝗛𝗮𝗻𝗱𝘀-𝗼𝗻 𝗳𝘂𝗻!
Break the fun barrier with a pilot helmet exhibit, photo ops, food trucks, tours of our mural, and more! Paper Airplane Contest: design and decorate your own paper airplanes; we’ll let them fly at 1pm with prizes in various categories. Take your pilot training up a notch with a virtual reality flight simulator and a wind tunnel experience for a modest additional charge.

𝟭𝟮𝗽𝗺 𝗠𝗲𝗲𝘁 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗣𝗶𝗹𝗼𝘁!
This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for kids to meet a real-life Air Force fighter pilot! Colonel Alton Whitley (please call him “Al”) is a decorated veteran who served during the Vietnam War, took command of the 37th Fighter Wing, and deployed for Operation Desert Shield and Desert Storm. Al was the first operational pilot to jump in the seat to fly the legendary Lockheed F-117 Nighthawk a.k.a. the first combat aircraft to feature stealth technology! He will tell you about his training, career, and answer your questions! If you use your eagle eyes, you might even see where AMP’s Ellen Griesedieck has painted Al’s stealthy plane in our mural!

AMP Talk: An Evening with Colonel Alton Whitley, USAF (Ret)
Saturday, May 23
AMP Talk: 6pm
VIP Experience: 5pm

As she began conceiving her mural, AMP Founder Ellen Griesedieck knew she wanted to include a military worker; she just needed the right subject. After reading about an extraordinary fighter pilot who was the first operational pilot to fly the top secret Lockheed F-117A Nighthawk, AMP founder Ellen Griesedieck went on her own reconnaissance mission: find Colonel Alton “Al” Whitley. Like anyone in the path of Whitley’s stealth fighter, the U.S. Air Force veteran didn’t know what was about to hit him. When the two met, she knew she found the perfect addition to her vision!

For the first time, Col. Whitley will be appearing at AMP to discuss his storied career leading dangerous combat missions in Vietnam and Thailand, as well as flying the first plane with stealth technology during Operations Desert Storm and Desert Shield. Over his storied twenty six-year career in the U.S. Air Force, he has led squadrons while piloting the F-100 Super Sabre, the A-713 Corsair, F-117A Nighthawk, A-7 Corsair II, FS-E Aggressor, and the A-10 Thunderbolt II. Due to his courage in battle and exceptional leadership qualities, Al has received many top military honors including the Legion of Merit, the Distinguished Flying Cross, the Meritorious Service Medal, the Vietnam Service Medal, and the Kuwait Liberation Medal. After his retirement from active duty, Al has dedicated his life to education serving as the Director of the Air Force Junior ROTC program, and as an Aerospace Science Instructor for high school students.

With our soaring mural (featuring Al piloting his F-117!) providing an epic skyline, Connecticut World Affairs Council Executive Director Megan Torrey joins Col. Whitley and Ellen for an insightful and inspiring conversation sure to cover his high-flying experiences, education, and beyond.

VIP All-Access Experience

AMP is delighted to offer attendees a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to interact with Colonel Whitley while also supporting our mission. 𝗩𝗜𝗣 𝗔𝗹𝗹-𝗔𝗰𝗰𝗲𝘀𝘀 𝗘𝘅𝗽𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲 guests will receive a private tour of the mural before the talk, priority seating during the program, and access to an intimate post-event reception with Al and Ellen. The reception includes a meet and greet with photo opportunity, complimentary wine/beer, a signed poster, and an additional chance to ask questions of a decorated war hero. Tickets for the 𝗩𝗜𝗣 𝗔𝗹𝗹-𝗔𝗰𝗰𝗲𝘀𝘀 𝗘𝘅𝗽𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲 are extremely limited, so reserve early!

With special thanks to our partners at the New England Air Museum and the Connecticut Science Center for collaborating with us on this weekend.