After nearly 29 years of service, Lt Col Brad Marthaler, a former Boyd resident, retired from the United States Air Force based in Dover, Delaware on April 30, 2022. He is the son of Marty and Pat Marthaler of Boyd. Brad graduated from Stanley-Boyd High School in 1987. To pursue his dream of becoming an Air Force ovcer and pilot, he attended the University of Wisconsin-Madison, graduating with a degree in Engineering and Astronautics and a commission through the Re- serve Ovcer Training Corps (ROTC) program. He attended pilot training at Vance AFB, OK, graduating in 1995.

His first assignment was the C-21 Learjet at Maxwell AFB, AL, where he was an instructor pilot assigned to flying gener als. In June 1996, he deployed to Prince Sultan Air Base, Saudi Arabia in support of OPERATIONS NORTHERN & SOUTHERN WATCH.

May 1998 found Lt Col Marthaler qualifying as a C-5B Galaxy Pilot at Altus AFB, OK. He was assigned to the 9th Airlift Squadron, Dover AFB, DE in July 1998. By Spring 1999, he was selected for the Special Operations Low Level II (SOLL II) program and is one of the few pilots to have flown the C-5 in low-lev el terrain and on Night Vision Goggles. In November 2003, he commanded the pathfinder RETIRED

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mission to Balad AFB, Iraq, piloting the first C-5 to oper – ate at the field and opening the base to sustained C-5 Gal- axy airlift operations. He flew combat sorties in support of Operations Enduring Freedom, Iraqi Freedom, Freedom’s Sentinel, Inherent Resolve, and the Global War on Terror, landing in multiple airfields throughout Afghanistan, Iraq, and other Gulf Nations.

In January 2004, Lt Col Marthaler joined the 709th Airlift Squadron. During the ensuing next 18 years with the 709AS, his leadership positions have included Flight Commander, Chief of Tactics, and Chief Pilot while flying in the capacity of Flight Examiner Aircraft Commander. Spanning his career, he has had the distinct honor of having operated as an Instructor and Flight Examiner in every C-5 Galaxy pilot qualification including Left & Right Seat SOLL II, Left & Right Seat Heavy and Personnel Airdrop, Air Refueling, and Aircraft Commander.

As a civilian, Lt Col Marthaler has been employed for over 17 years as a C-5 instructor. He is currently a First Of- ficer with Southwest Airlines. Brad and his wife, Diane, have four children. Their future plans include moving “home” to Wisconsin.