Retired general recounts how faith aided his career

  • Published
  • By Tech. Sgt. Kristina Newton
  • 1st SOW Public Affairs
HURLBURT FIELD, Fla. --  More than 70 people crowded a small meeting room at the base chapel to hear retired Gen. Charles Horner speak at the monthly Faith in the Foxhole luncheon Jan. 17.

Retirees, active duty, dependents and civilian base personnel of varying ages enjoyed a catered lunch while listening to General Horner speak of his years in the military and how faith helped him through some hard times and guided him in tough decisions.

Although General Horner said he isn't the typical churchgoer, he said he believes faith is important when you're a fighter pilot.

"As a young fighter pilot, I was very confident in my abilities, maybe a little too confident," he said.

During the 1960's, on training mission in North Africa, he had a near miss with another aircraft. His abrupt maneuver to avoid the other plane stalled out his engine and sent him on a collision course with the ground.

After pulling out of the dive very close to terra firma, General Horner said all he could see was sand. He said it was the first time he felt as if God had a plan for him.

"By the time I landed I was asking myself, 'Why didn't I die? There must be a reason,'" he said. "I didn't know what it was, but I figured God had a purpose for me."

He said it wasn't until years later, at the beginning of Operation Desert Storm, that he finally realized he wasn't supposed to know what God wanted him to do; he just had to do his best, and the rest was out of his hands.

"So, I can't tell you what to do. Just have faith, and the right decisions will come," he said. 

General Horner joined the military through the Reserve Officer Training Corps in 1959 and went on to become the Joint Force Air Component Commander during Operation Desert Storm. He is a command pilot with more than 5,300 hours in a variety of aircraft and more than 100 combat missions in Vietnam. He also co-authored the book "Every Man a Tiger" with Tom Clancy.

Faith in the Foxhole is a monthly luncheon where Air Commandos, past and present, share their combat experiences and how their faith got them through it.

Chaplain (Capt.) Christian Chae said the luncheon is faith-based but anyone is welcome to attend regardless of their beliefs.

The next Faith in the Foxhole luncheon is scheduled for Feb. 14 at The Soundside and will be combined with the national prayer luncheon.