Binoculars in hand, a young Lt. Samuel Deedy rushed outside when he heard the roar of engines in the sky. He lived under the flight path of fighter jets and could name every one that passed.

Sam was born and raised in Wasilla, Alaska, and he said ever since he can remember, he wanted to fly.

Dana Deedy, Sam’s mother, said she couldn’t pinpoint a specific event that happened, but she and her husband Dan always knew he’d become a pilot.

“He’d come home from the library with books checked out on the history of aviation or the Warthog,” said Dana, referring to the A-10 Thunderbolt II by its nickname. “We think his interest sparked from our pro-military attitude and the air shows we often went to as a family.”

Sam, now a pilot assigned to Electronic Attack Squadron VAQ 135, Naval Air Station Whidbey Island, Washington, attended his first air show as an infant; an event he said he doesn’t quite remember, but his parents remember well.

“It was something we liked to do, so we always brought the kids,” said Dan. “We were able to walk inside the aircraft and always discussed them together. He loved the static displays.”

Originally, Dana said Sam wanted to design airplanes, not fly them. He would always make military-related models and even hung them from his ceiling.

When Sam was in high school, he decided to talk with a military recruiter and ended up speaking with someone from the Navy.

“I never thought about the Navy,” said Sam. “After a few minutes, he started to discuss flight contracts and it sounded like a lot of fun and it was definitely something I wanted to pursue.”

After high school, Sam took off for Troy, New York, to attend Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute. Upon graduation, Sam commissioned in the Navy.

Five years later, Sam is back in his home state flying an EA-18G Growler aircraft during RED FLAG-Alaska 16-3. When Sam found out he was participating in RF-A, he said he was excited.

“Being back in Alaska for RED FLAG, it’s like I went full circle,” Sam said with a smile. “I received my pilot’s license from Palmer, Alaska, about nine years ago. To be back flying the Growler is a huge difference from flying a Cessna 152.”

His parents immediately made plans when they heard Sam would be back for the exercise.

“We were pumped up,” said Dan. “We were so excited at the thought of being able to see him and see him fly.”

Dana and Dan did have the chance to watch Sam take off for a mission while they were driving along the Richardson Highway.

“I can’t put into words how it feels to know our son is part of these impressive operations happening around the world,” said Dan.

Dana said seeing Sam fly and knowing he's the one in the front seat makes them unbelievably proud.

“We recently went to an air show and called Sam later that evening,” said Dan. “It was so neat when we would explain maneuvers to him and he had a name for every one of them.”

Sam just recently checked into VAQ 135, and he said being up here for RF-A is awesome training.

“It’s interesting to use the training I’ve received and be able to ingrate that into my flying,” said Sam. “It’s so cool being back because I never thought I’d get the chance to fly in Alaskan air with the Navy, but I feel very lucky I can say I did.”

His unit is training for deployment and Sam said he is excited to see what they will be able to do as a team.

“It’s an exciting job and it’s a privilege to serve in the military, and to serve alongside the guys I work with,” Sam smiled. “I’m excited I was able to join this team. It’s a huge adventure not many people get to experience, and I’m just so lucky I have the chance to.”