Grads in the Cockpit | Cargo & Tanker Pilots
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From airlift to aerial refueling as well as providing humanitarian aid at home and around the world, cargo and tanker pilots are essential to the Air Force and all of America’s armed forces. On July 14, tune in to hear from five USAFA graduates who will share their experiences in the Air Mobility Command and what it is like flying the valuable aircraft.
Lt Col Shelby Basler ‘98
Lt Col Shelby Basler is the executive officer for the 931st Air Refueling Group, McConnell AFB, KS. She earned her commission from the USAFA in 1998 and is a member of the first class to earn a BS in Meteorology. She earned her wings in 1999 and was assigned to the KC-135R Stratotanker at McConnell AFB, KS. After 11 years of active duty service and 10 combat deployments including OPERATIONS NORTHERN WATCH, SOUTHERN WATCH, ENDURING FREEDOM, and IRAQI FREEDOM, she transitioned from active duty into the Air Force Reserves. Colonel Basler is a career tanker pilot with over 3,200 flight hours, 14 deployments, and has been awarded seven Air Medals for her role in combat. She holds a MS in Geoscience from Mississippi State University, has been married over twenty years to an Air Force pilot, and is the mother of two teenage sons.
Col Matthew Husemann ‘00
Col Matthew Husemann is the Commander, 436th Airlift Wing, Dover AFB, Delaware. He is responsible for the combined C-5M Super Galaxy and C-17A Globemaster III wing providing worldwide movement of high-priority personnel and cargo. Col Husemann received his commission from USAFA in 2000 and served in a variety of operational and staff assignments throughout his career. He served as the Distribution Division Chief, Joint Staff Directorate for Logistics (J4), Commander of the 9th Airlift and 436th Force Support Squadrons; Deputy Chief of the Corporate Liaison Branch, Headquarters Air Force Directorate of Strategic Plans and Programs; C-5 Evaluator Aircraft Commander and KC-10 Instructor Aircraft Commander. He is a command pilot with more than 3,000 hours in the C-5A/B/M, KC-10A, C-37A, T-1A, and T-37B.
Maj Darshan Subramanian ‘09
Maj Subramanian is currently the Chief of Wing Tactics for the 317th Operations Support Squadron at Dyess AFB. Also, he is a C-130J weapons officer and instructor pilot. He graduated from the U.S. Air Force Academy in 2009 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Political Science. He has flown T-34s at Pensacola, T-38s at Vance AFB, MC-12Ws and C-130Js & Hs. Maj Subramanian has over 2500 hours of flight time to include 790 hours of combat time in support of Operations ENDURING FREEDOM, FREEDOM SENTINEL, INHERENT RESOLVE and RAPID FORGE.
Capt Joshua ‘Nic’ Young ‘14
A member of the class of 2014. Capt Young enlisted in the Air Force in 2007 and is a 2010 graduate of the USAFA Preparatory School. He is a Louisiana native and received his Master’s Degree from LSU.After graduation from USAFA, he was selected to work in the USAFA Admissions Office as an Admissions Advisor. Capt Young completed pilot training at Vance AFB and went on to fly the C-21 at Scott AFB. Capt Young is currently a member of the 15 AS, flying the C-17 at Charleston AFB.
1Lt Colin McDermott ‘18
1Lt Colin McDermott is currently a T-1 First Assignment Instructor Pilot (FAIP) out of Vance AFB, OK. He graduated from the U.S. Air Force Academy in 2018 where he received his commission and a degree in management with a minor in Spanish. After graduation, 1Lt McDermott spent his first year serving as a casual officer in the Athletic Department at USAFA and then headed to Vance AFB for pilot training. Once he received his wings, 1Lt McDermott was selected to attend Pilot Instructor Training (PIT) and was the distinguished graduate.