“When I first went to the Air Force Academy in 2006, as a young 18-year-old kid, I struggled with the idea that I couldn’t serve and be who I was but I knew that we would get there,” said McBride. An estimate of over 13,000 men and women were discharged during its 18-year tenure. The complete ban was then replaced by Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell in 1993, a policy prohibiting service while openly gay. In 1982, a complete ban of gays in the military was set in place and under it nearly 17,000 men and women were discharged in the next decade. I think it’s pretty cool to mark that occasion.” “Ten years ago there was two members of my squadron who couldn’t openly be who they are, now they can. “I was super excited they came and asked me,” said Lt. The dedicated flight was made possible by the perseverance of McBride and Lennon and by the leadership’s commitment to inclusion. “I think that’s significant in recognizing day-in and day-out what the thousands of LGBTQ+ service members do throughout the Air Force.” “Our mission here today is in support of the mission here at Luke Air Force Base to train the world’s most capable fighter pilots,” said Lennon.
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McBride and Lennon executed the flyby over base as part of a routine training flight in support of a 62nd FS instructor upgrade mission. “It’s an opportunity to be thankful for, in my case my family and my little kid, things that weren’t possible even just 10 years ago.” “Pride month is an opportunity to celebrate the progress that we’ve made as an LGBTQ+ community,” said McBride. Pride month was created in 1999 by President Bill Clinton to recognize the gay and lesbian community and has since been expanded to include the bisexual and transgender community. Justin Lennon, 56th Training Squadron F-35 instructor pilot, performed a Pride Month flyby over Luke Air Force Base, Jto celebrate the LGBTQ+ community. Tyler McBride, 62nd Fighter Squadron F-35A Lightning II instructor pilot, and Capt.