I grew up as an Air Force brat and shortly after graduating from college, I was commissioned in the USAF. While the majority of my 23-year career was spent in the B-1B as an Instructor Weapons System Officer, I also was an instructor in the B-52H and T-43A. After retiring from active duty in 2010, I became a USAF civil servant, initially as a flight safety manager and now as the deputy director of safety for a major command with over 50,000 personnel and 1,400 aircraft.
My son's interest in astronomy ended up getting us both into astrophotography. I bought him his first telescope in 2003 when he was a preschooler, and by the time he was teen, he was cranking out amazing planetary images. I was initially the muscle and the money for his growing interest in astrophotography, but after spending countless nights under the stars with him, the hobby sucked me in and now we are both typically in the backyard working our own scopes whenever we have clear skies. I hope to retire full-time in the next couple of years...that way I can go take a nap after a long night of imaging instead of having to go to work.
Website
https://www.chappelastro.com
Job
Deputy Director of Safety
