What is the Order of the Pelican?
Every two years, the sitting squadron commander of the 14th Airlift Squadron extends an invitation to all Pelicans, both past and present, to unite in celebration of the induction of the most esteemed among us into the Order of the Pelican. The distinguished order is composed of individuals who have made a significant impact, demonstrating leadership that we both admire and aspire to emulate. Though the list of honorees is small, their influence on our nation, our Air Force, and our squadron is profound.
Order of the Pelican 2025 will consist of a golf tournament on Friday morning, March 28, and a dinner gathering at the USS Yorktown on Saturday evening, March 29. Additionally, this year we have the distinct honor of including maintenance personnel that have played an integral part in the 14AS 1st Expeditionary Squadron at Joint Base Andrews. Their presence will bring even greater prestige to the Order of the Pelican event in 2025.
We invite you to join us in March to honor two extraordinary former Pelicans. Let their achievements inspire you to make your own impact, showing how small, consistent actions can resonate through the years and touch the lives of many. Their legacy lives on through each of us. The hope is that this event will honor them and the extraordinary work we do around the world as Pelicans in the finest squadron AMC has to offer!
Event Details:
USS Yorktown
40 Patriots Point Rd. Mount Pleasant, SC 29464
Saturday, 29 March 2025
1800-1900: Cocktail Hour on the Flight Deck
1900-2030: Dinner/Formal Presentation in Hangar Bay
2030-2200: Dance Floor Open
Dress Code
Military Personnel – Mess Dress/Service Dress
Civilian Personnel – Formal Attire (Long Gown Dresses for Women, Suit+Tie for Men)
Accommodations
For your convenience, we have reserved a total of 25 hotel rooms for the event. Fifteen rooms are available at the Embassy Suites by Hilton Charleston Harbor Mt. Pleasant, and ten rooms are reserved at the Comfort Inn and Suites Patriots Point for both Friday and Saturday evening. Both hotels are situated just 1 mile from the venue.
Embassy Suites by Hilton Charleston Harbor Mt. Pleasant
Comfort Inn and Suites Patriots Point
Purchase Tickets
To reserve your place at this esteemed event, please select the desired number of tickets and proceed with the payment process. Kindly ensure that you choose the correct rank category and purchase tickets corresponding to the number of guests that will be accompanying you.
In addition to purchasing your tickets, we invite you to consider sponsoring an Airman. Your generous sponsorship will enable a deserving Airman to attend the event, who might otherwise be unable to participate due to financial constraints. This is a wonderful opportunity to show your support and appreciation for those who serve our country with dedication and honor.
Thank you for your support and for making the Order of the Pelican 2025 a night to remember. We look forward to celebrating with you!
OOTP 2025 Tickets
Check out the OOTP Silent Auction and Raffle below
Meet Our Newest Order of the Pelican Inductees
Colonel (Ret) Joseph R. Meyer
Air Force Customer Engagement Leader | Aerospace and Defense Professional
Joseph Meyer is a seasoned leader in aerospace and defense, currently serving as the Air Force Customer Engagement and Field Operations Lead at Boeing Defense, Space & Security. Based in Greater St. Louis, Joseph is the primary customer-facing representative for Headquarters Air Mobility Command (HQ AMC), U.S. Transportation Command (USTRANSCOM), and other Scott Air Force Base customers. In this role, he develops strategic relationships and creates opportunities for aircraft, aircrew, aerospace maintenance products, services, and training to support the U.S. Air Force.
Career Highlights:
- Boeing Defense, Space & Security: Since October 2022, Joseph has served as the Scott AFB Site Director, leading Air Force customer engagement initiatives and promoting Boeing’s defense and aerospace solutions.
- United States Air Force: With over 27 years of service, Joseph held various leadership roles, including:
- 18th Air Force Director of Operations (2020–2022): As Chief Operations Officer, he oversaw readiness and sustainment for approximately 36,000 active duty, Reserve, and civilian Airmen, managing over 400 aircraft across 12 wings.
- 375th Air Mobility Wing Vice Commander (2018–2020): Jointly led a team of 3,000 personnel and managed $4.6 billion in infrastructure.
- U.S. Transportation Command Liaison Officer to Korea (2016–2018): Served as an advisor to leadership on Department of Defense multimodal logistics while collaborating with Korean Airlines and South Korea’s Ministry of Defense.
- 14th Airlift Squadron Commander (2011–2014): Directed 155 pilots and loadmasters, ensuring safe operation of 12 C-17A aircraft during combat, humanitarian, and aeromedical missions. Deployed the squadron three times during his tenure.
Education and Certifications:
Joseph holds a Master of Science in Military Economics and Management from the Dwight D. Eisenhower School for National Security and Resource Strategy, as well as a Master of Science in Strategic Planning and Operational Art from the U.S. Army School of Advanced Military Studies. He also earned a Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering from Purdue University, where he participated in Air Force ROTC.
In addition to his academic achievements, Joseph is a certified Safety Board President and holds an FAA Air Transport Pilot credential.
Professional Achievements:
Recognized for maturing and deploying innovative aerospace solutions, including the MQ-25 Advanced Team’s groundbreaking capabilities.
Led initiatives for contested logistics and small business outreach at industry events like the Air Force Association (AFA).
Delivered key contributions to joint military and civilian boards, strengthening global mobility operations.
Senior Master Sergeant (Ret) William H. Brown III
Distinguished Air Force Veteran | Accomplished Loadmaster | Mentor and Leader
Senior Master Sergeant (SMSgt) Brown, a native of Carolina Beach, North Carolina, began his exceptional 27-year career in the U.S. Air Force in July 1985. Following basic training, he completed Aircraft Armament Systems technical training at Lowry AFB, Colorado, and was assigned to the 479th Component Repair Squadron at Holloman AFB, New Mexico.
In 1988, SMSgt Brown joined the 3rd Aircraft Generation Squadron at Clark AB in the Republic of the Philippines, where he served until 1991. He then moved to Seymour Johnson AFB, North Carolina, as part of the 336th Fighter Squadron, deploying to Saudi Arabia for 179 days in support of Operation Desert Storm.
In 1993, SMSgt Brown retrained as a Loadmaster and was assigned to the 40th Airlift Squadron at Dyess AFB, Texas, where he completed another deployment to Saudi Arabia. In 1996, he joined the 36th Airlift Squadron at Yokota AB, Japan, where he excelled in multiple roles, including Joint Airdrop Inspector, Instructor, and Evaluator on the C-130E/H. As the NCOIC of Standardization and Evaluation, he demonstrated his expertise, which later led to his transition to the C-17 in 2003.
At Charleston AFB, South Carolina, SMSgt Brown served as an Instructor and Superintendent of Wing Aircrew Training in the 437th Operations Support Squadron, contributing to the squadron’s “Outstanding” rating during the 2006 HQ AMC Aircrew Standardization/Evaluation Visit. In 2006, he was selected as Chief Loadmaster for the 14th Airlift Squadron, where he led three 120-day combat deployments in support of Operations ENDURING FREEDOM and IRAQI FREEDOM.
Throughout his career, SMSgt Brown earned numerous squadron, group, and wing-level awards, including recognition as the 437th Airlift Wing’s Senior Enlisted Aircrew Member of the Year in 2008. Over the course of his career, he flew countless combat sorties, logged hundreds of combat hours, and delivered millions of pounds of critical supplies and personnel in support of global operations.
In 2009, SMSgt Brown took on his final assignment as Training Manager for the Loadmaster career field at HQ AMC/A3TA, Scott AFB, Illinois. He retired from active duty on April 1, 2012, capping an exemplary military career.
Following retirement, SMSgt Brown continued to serve the aerospace community as a contract Simulator Instructor for Delaware Resource Group, training international students from the UK, UAE, and Qatar. In 2014, he moved to Abu Dhabi, UAE, where he trained UAE Air Force crew members before returning to the United States in August 2024.
SMSgt Brown and his wife of over 34 years, Erly, now reside on a mountaintop in the picturesque Smoky Mountains of western North Carolina.
Previous Order of the Pelican Inductees
Lt Col Forrest W. Engle, 1972
Lt Col Billie J. Massey, 1973
Lt Col Stanley J. Sherwood, 1973
SMSgt Kenneth M. Johnston, 1973
CMSgt Oliver P. Beals, 1975
CMSgt Paul D. Romans, 1976
Lt Col Wayne E. Van Winkle, 1977
Lt Col Maurice G. Vincent, 1977
CMSgt Rodgers Mulligan, Jr., 1978
Lt Col Darwin B. Grossman, 1979
CMSgt William W. Henson, 1980
CMSgt Thomas E. Forgarty, 1983
CMSgt Gavino Martinez, 1983
Lt Col John W. Berkey, 1983
Maj Colin M. Coffland, 1983
SMSgt Charles S. Clark, 1984
Lt Col Kent W. Morey, 1984
CMSgt Ernest R. Blodgett, 1985
MSgt William D. Thornburg, 1987
CMSgt Cecil D. Clark, 1988
Lt Col Michael J. Kobold, 1989
SMSgt John J. Hinds, 1990
Col William Bailey, 1990
SMSgt Bismark “Pete” Cosme, 1991
Maj Leland J. Danielsen, 1991
CMSgt Vincent C. Minnillo, 1997
Lt Col William “Goose” Changose, 1998
MSgt Edison Velez, Jr., 2001
Lt Gen Samuel D. Cox, 2001
Brig Gen Steven A. Roser, 2001
Gen Duncan J. McNabb, 2004
Lt Col Henry J. Steenken, 2004
SMSgt Michael R. Lambrecht, 2004
MSgt Ray Cordero, 2004
Gen Darren W. McDew, 2006
Lt Col Michael K. Major, 2006
SMSgt James D. Blakely, 2006
Brig Gen Joseph M. Reheiser, 2008
Maj Michael R. Kazlausky, 2008
SMSgt Damian R. Fox, 2008
Col Scott Shapiro, 2010
Lt Col Marc Beutler, 2010
SMSgt Kenneth Rossa, 2010
SMSgt Justin Strain, 2010
Lt Gen Ricky N. Rupp, 2013
Maj Eric W. Skipper, 2013
CMSgt John D. Gallo, 2013
Lt Col Norman “Buddy” Czubaj, Jr., 2015
CMSgt Corey Olson, 2015
SMSgt Annie M. Niece, 2017
Col Rick E. Williamson, 2017
Lt Gen Stayce D. Harris, 2017
Col Adam “A.J.” McMillan, 2019
Lt Col Lewis “Freddy” Frederick, 2019
MSgt Roswell “Tim” Locke, 2019
CMSgt Mark R. Henriquez, 2019
Col Randall Huiss, 2021
MSgt Kevin Riley, 2021
Col Adam Bingham, 2023
Ms. Val Singley, 2023
Lt Col Kathy LaSauce, 2023