Lee Griffin
As the Cactus Air Force’s Chief Pilot and Director of Flight Operations, Mr. Lee Griffin, call sign “Thumper”, brings a wealth of operational experience and technical knowhow to the complex and challenging world of aviation. Mr. Griffin started his flying career as an instructor, crop duster, and corporate pilot flying a DC-3 for a politician. He joined the U.S. Navy and after graduating at the top of his class was selected to fly fighters. Joining Fighter Squadron 114 onboard USS Kitty Hawk on Yankee station in Southeast Asia, Lee Logged multiple combat missions over North Vietnam. During his 21 years of service with the Navy, Lee flew five different Navy tactical jet aircraft while assigned to seven different Fighter Squadrons and a Missile Test Squadron. He served as an instructor in both the F-4 Phantom and the A-4 Skyhawk aircraft. He was awarded multiple decorations for valor including the Navy Commendation Medal, Presidential Unit Citation, Vietnamese Cross of Gallantry, multiple Air Medals, Sea Service Ribbon, Expert Pistol, Expert Rifle, and many other citations. During, his Navy career Mr. Griffin amassed over 800 carrier arrested landings, and numerous awards and Letters of Commendation and Appreciation for missile testing and evaluation while stationed at the Pacific Missile Test Center, Pt Magu Ca.
After the military, Lee resumed corporate flying and soon was hired by Federal Express Airlines, where he flies today as a Captain. While working at the Cactus Air Force, Lee has had the opportunity to participate in many air shows throughout the United States. During this time he has also flown various museum aircraft in movies as well as multiple air to air commercials. Lee flew the Specline Special, a highly modified T-33 jet aircraft at the 2007 National Championship Air Races at Reno Nv., and set an all-class record for the fastest qualifying lap in the history of the air races at over 525MPH. A published author, Lee is also qualified to fly and instruct in all of the museums fixed-winged aircraft including the T-33 Silver Star, OV-10A Bronco, T-6G Texan, T-41 Mescalero, T-34 Mentor, T-28 Trojan and the F-86 Sabre. With over 15,000 hours of flight time and his experience as a Naval Air to Air combat instructor, Mr. Griffin has the unique ability of allowing inexperienced pilot to safely experience what it’s like to dogfight against another aircraft.
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