HONORING VETERANS: Retired Army pilot teaches next generation of aviators at Fort Rucker

FORT RUCKER, Ala. (WTVY) — Jenny Litherland, a retired chief warrant officer and Black Hawk pilot, now teaches soldiers to fly at Fort Rucker after 20 years in the Army.

Litherland said the experience of lifting off has not changed.

“Flying is great. Every time you lift off, it’s exciting,” she said.

Litherland works at Fort Rucker’s Shell Army Heliport, where she teaches soldiers to fly Lakota helicopters. The instruction covers basic warfighter skills, the tactical phase of Army flight school.

“Even though I’m not still serving in the Army, I’m working with them still every day, the soldiers that are learning to fly,” she said.

She has been retired for five years. Fort Rucker, known as the Home of Army Aviation, was her final stop in the Army.

Litherland decided in high school that she wanted to be a pilot. She said her vision was a barrier.

“My vision wasn’t good enough to fly initially. So I had to get PRK eye surgery, but then I was able to put in a packet and was selected and I just knew this was me,” Litherland said. “This is what I love. My husband says I’m a happier person when I’m flying.”

Litherland often reflects on her service abroad and at home.

“Every day was great. There were hard missions. There were fun missions. There were dust landings in Afghanistan, putting troops on the ground. There were flyovers in Nashville of NASCAR races...the cold mornings, the hot days, all of it. Just all of it’s honestly and truthfully just been the best,” she said.

Litherland is the mother of three. She said she is most proud of her service and of raising her children.

“I’m most proud, you know, to have served and raising young girls. I’m trying to teach them and my son to be community citizens,” she said. “Sometimes I hold on for a second and I have to remember every day I’m serving.”

As her retirement neared, Litherland said this piece of advice has always stuck with her:

“I had a senior warrant officer that at one point in my career was, told me that you’re not doing your job for the Army unless you’re training the next aviator to take your job,” Litherland said. “That was a little bit hard for me to think, wait a second, I’m, you know, peaking at my career in the Army and I’m about to transition out. What can I give back?” she said.

Litherland said she hopes people see what service members give.

“It’s a lot of work. You’re not always close to home, but it’s something that you train for and it’s something that you love and it’s something that you would do probably over and over again. I’m extremely honored,” she said.

She also had a message for the young soldiers she trains.

“Just remember that you’re supported by a lot of people. Remember that a lot of people have your back. We’re thankful for you. The veterans are thankful for you. Your country is thankful for you,” Litherland said.

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