BYU NewsNet - ROTC vice commander fulfills dream of flying

By MICHELLE TREASURE

The journey to become an Air Force pilot takes drive and determination. For BYU’s Air Force ROTC vice commander, that journey started on a scuba diving trip after his first semester of college.

Lt. Col. Russ Hopkinson left BYU after his first semester because he didn’t see the point of being in college without a plan of what he wanted to do in life. While on a scuba diving trip, a friend told Hopkinson he had just received admittance to be a pilot from BYU ROTC and would be going to pilot training after graduation.

Hopkinson was intrigued by the possibility of becoming a pilot, something he had dreamed of as a child.

“I had a reason and purpose to come back to school,” he said.

Hopkinson returned to BYU and graduated with a degree in cartography (map making). After graduation, he spent a year at pilot training school in Texas. He said it is the hardest thing he has ever done, including serving a mission.

“Pilot training is like a year of finals week,” he said. Training is emotionally draining and full of constant pressure, Hopkinson said.

He said he had to dedicate himself every day to something that took years to see results. It took nearly six years from the day he decided to become a pilot until he finished his training and could finally get in a plane as an official pilot.

“I did the best I could everyday,” he said. “I didn’t settle for second best.”

After pilot training, Hopkinson was assigned to fly the KC-10, the Air Force’s largest air refueler, which was an impressive honor for a new lieutenant.

Hopkinson spent 20 years as an Air Force pilot, flying throughout the world in missions such as Operation Just Cause in Panama, Operation Allied Force in Bosnia and various operations in Iraq. He said there are too many memorable missions to pick even a handful that stand out.

Hopkinson’s dedication and ambition allowed him to move up the ranks and learn to fly the smaller T-1 and T-38 planes. He said he switched planes to challenge himself and broaden his pilot experience.

Hopkinson has had numerous leadership responsibilities in the Air Force, including serving as a pilot training instructor and a deployed operations manager. For the past two years, he has worked as BYU’s Air Force ROTC detachment vice commander.

Among other duties, Hopkinson currently works with senior cadets, including Cadet Patrick Murray, a manufacturing engineering technology major.

Murray said Hopkinson was helpful in preparing the cadets to receive pilot slots. Now that many cadets have earned the honor, Hopkinson is helping them get their heads in the right place.

“He is trying to keep us ahead of the curve,” Murray said.

Major Alan Hanks has been working in the ROTC with Hopkinson for nearly a year. He said Hopkinson’s knowledge and easy-going personality help Hopkinson impart great insights to the senior cadets and prepare them for life as Air Force officers.

Even after years of military experience, Hopkinson still finds joy in flying and teaching future military leaders.

“The basics of flying … put a smile on my face,” Hopkinson said.