CM Q3 FINAL DIGITAL - Flipbook - Page 20
E
lisha Phil Sanders,
resident at The
Summit, spent more
than two decades of his
life in the United States
Air Force, with much of
his tenure spent soaring
the skies. The Lieutenant
Colonel’s passion for
aviation, however, almost
hit turbulence early on due
to a minor health concern:
a tooth cavity. Yet, once
resolved, nothing deterred
Sanders from pursuing his
dream. He was determined
to report to duty and learn
to fly.
Born and raised on
a Kansas farm, Sanders
spent his days divided
between familial duties
and memorable rides on
his cherished horse, Dolly.
20
Though the agricultural
life had its charms,
Sanders had one goal in
mind. He had a strong
desire to fly.
To align with his
aspiration, Sanders
dedicated his final high
school years to the
Reserve Officers' Training
Corps (ROTC), setting
the foundation for his
future aerial adventures.
His ROTC tenure was
initially with the U.S.
Army Air Corps, the
precursor to the modern
U.S. Air Force.
The aeronautical
world welcomed Sanders
with a six-engine jet,
initiating his flying career.
Over time, he mastered
the controls of diverse
aircraft like the B47, K97
and C47, accumulating
an impressive 5,000 flying
hours. Among the array
of planes Sanders piloted,
the C130, a robust fourengine turbojet, holds a
special place in his heart.
“I learned a lot,”
Sanders reflected with a
gleam in his eye. “I loved
flying the C130. I loved
that bird. It was fun.” He
elaborated on the thrill
of managing the C130's
reverse prop, enabling
the plane to land on
abbreviated runways,
and how he felt an
unparalleled connection
when piloting it. Sanders
proudly mentions the U.S.
Air Force's trust in the
C130, retaining it for 80
years, surpassing other
aircraft in longevity.
As Sanders neared
retirement, he officially
hung up his flight wings
and finished his career
serving in a logistics role
at The Pentagon.
COMMUNITY MATTERS