FLY BOLDLY

with

HEATHER PENNEY

Friday, June 22

“Shortly after the Pentagon was struck by terrorists on September 11, 2001, Heather “Lucky” Penney was called into action as an F-16 pilot, and tasked with protecting the Nation’s Capital from further harm.  Her personal account of that fateful day is both riveting and impactful.  It is a story that only she can tell, and one that will easily resonate with all who cherish the American experience.”

Christopher U. Browne, Deputy Director
National Air and Space Museum | Smithsonian Institution

Please join us for an inspiring evening with an American hero and role model.  Your participation will help grow a new community hub serving learners of all ages. Enjoy food, fellowship, craft beers and music. Attire:  Summer fun/casual.

Would you like the chance to fly with Heather Penney?  You can! Participate in the auction to win a flight in the Wings of the North Boeing Stearman biplane flown by Naval Aviator Cadet George H.W. Bush in 1943.

Hosts
Gary Applebaum, Tumalo Creek Transportation
Anne Walters, Girl Scouts River Valleys
Jack Larsen, Optum
Rick King, Thomson Reuters
Mark Skarohlid, UTC Aerospace
Patrick Weldon, Polaris Industries

Emcee:  Nicole Mitchell, KSTP Meteorologist

In addition to her role at KSTP and membership in the American Meteorological Society, Major Nicole Mitchell is assigned to the 53rd Weather Reconnaissance Squadron at Keesler Air Force Base as an aerial reconnaissance weather officer. As a member of the Hurricane Hunters she has flown into Hurricane Katrina and Hurricane Wilma. Trained first in the MN Air National Guard as a Weather Observer and Forecaster, she also holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Minnesota and a Juris Doctorate from Georgia State University.

Heather Penney
On September 11, 2001, Lt. “Lucky” Penney was called on to take down United Flight 93 – in an unarmed F-16. More than a witness to history, her lifelong leadership continues to inspire through her advocacy of education, charitable causes and work as Senior Resident Fellow for the Mitchell Institute for Aerospace Studies.

Heather Penney earned an undergraduate degree in English with a minor in Philosophy at Purdue University.  While working on a Master of Arts in American Studies at Purdue, she learned that combat aviation had been opened to women.  That discovery led to more than 10 years as an F-16C+ pilot in the 121st Fighter Squadron at Andrews AFB, serving two combat tours and earning multiple Air Medals.

Prior to joining the Mitchell Institute, Penney worked for over a decade in the defense industry, most recently as USAF Director of Air Superiority at Lockheed Martin. She has logged over 2,000 hours in multiple military jets and vintage taildraggers.

She formed the first collegiate team in the iconic Air Race Classic – the only women’s air race – and been a race pilot for the jet racing team "AirRace21.”  She continues to fly vintage aircraft and tours with the Collings Foundation. Numerous honors include recognition by the Red Cross, naming as a Jimmy Doolittle Fellow and recipient of the Purdue University Emerging Voice Award.

Wings of the North
Wings of the North Air Museum, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization based at Flying Cloud Airport in Eden Prairie, serves learners of all ages by restoring and showcasing flying aircraft to bring history to life, honoring Minnesota’s aviation pathfinders and veterans through exhibits and events, and inspiring youth to meet 21st century challenges by using science, technology, engineering and mathematics.  

Wings of the North is home to Sierra Sue – the famous P-51D Mustang that flew in WWII and led the 2018 Super Bowl Flyover - and other storied aircraft and exhibits. www.wotn.org