Colonel Howard “Mike” Hunt

Who is Col. Hunt?

Col. Hunt is a well known and respected Alaskan aviation pioneer who came to the last frontier in 1949 to establish,  a non-scheduled airline called Air Transport Associates. Together with a group of fellow service pilots from the war, they created a much needed business that used C-46s to provide an inexpensive and competitive air cargo and passenger service within the state and along the Pacific Northwest.

During the war, Mike served as a ferry pilot with the US/Russian Lend-Lease program flying various types of military aircraft from the factories in Wichita, Kansas, to Great Falls, Montana and then up to Ladd Field. Additionally, he was part of the U.S. Air Force Caravan’s, 2nd Ferry Group airplane relay team. One of the most interesting facts about Mike is that he was the last known pilot of the B-17 Memphis Belle!

Mike lived the rest of his life in Alaska fully immersing himself in all the incredible things the state has to offer, especially through flight. Because of his desire to share his passion for warbirds with others, he founded the CAF “Alaska Wing” by generously donating all three of the aircraft, ensuring that the history of those who flew them could live on for generations to come.

In 2015, to honor his ongoing support and deception to history though the preservation of warbirds, the Commemorative Air Force officially renamed the Alaska Wing, the “Col. Hunt Alaska Wing.”

Colonel Hunt was actively involved in the unit until his passing in 2019..  We miss him everyday and will forever be grateful for sharing his passion of warbirds with us.  We endeavor to continue the legacy he left behind.

To learn more about Colonel Howard “Mike" Hunt,  his family has published his autobiography in a wonderful book titled “Saga of an Aviation Survivor.” All proceeds of the book will be donated back to the wing and used towards our efforts in ‘keeping ‘em flying.’