RCB President Nancy Goedecke, Rotarians Cissy Jackson and John Kemp with Col. Scott Grant
This week, the Rotary Club of Birmingham (RCB) held a special Veterans Day meeting at Lakeshore Foundation. RCB honored members and guests who have served in the military. Over 50 current active and honorary RCB members have engaged in military service with the U.S. Air Force, Army, Coast Guard, Marine Corps and Navy, including including many officers and a general.
Rotarian John Kemp, Lakeshore Foundation President and CEO, shared how the organization supports veterans through health, fitness, and connection. Lakeshore offers free membership and community programs to all honorably discharged U.S. veterans in Alabama and their families. It also provides residential programs for severely injured service members through The Cottages of Lakeshore. During the meeting, members wrote notes of appreciation to veterans in residence at Lakeshore Foundation.
The featured speaker was Retired U.S. Air Force Colonel Scott Grant, former Commander of the 117th Air Refueling Wing. Col. Grant discussed how the 117th supports national defense and state missions by delivering aerial refueling, combat support, and intelligence around the world. He reflected on the tragedy of September 11th and how the 117th supported the mission to defend the U.S. homeland. He shared how the wing supports missions overseas, including during Operation Enduring Freedom and the War on Terror. Col. Grant closed by honoring military families and thanking every veteran for their service.
Bio for Col. Scott Grant
Colonel Scott Grant is the former Commander of the 117th Air Refueling Wing, Alabama Air National Guard, Birmingham, Alabama, retiring in 2020 after 33 years of service. The 117th trains and equips combat ready aircrews and support personnel to provide worldwide aerial refueling and airlift missions. The 117th was awarded the Strategic Command’s “Omaha Trophy” under his command – A first-ever accomplishment for an Air National Guard Wing
Col. Grant received his commission as a Second Lieutenant in the USAF through the Reserve Officer Training Corp in 1987 and graduated from Undergraduate Pilot training in March 1989 at Columbus AFB, MS. He was a career KC-135 Pilot and has accrued more than 9500 flying hours.
Colonel Grant began his career a Combat Crew Pilot in the KC-135A. He then became served as an Aircraft Commander in the KC-135R and Instructor pilot in the KC-135A/Q. Before joining the Alabama Air National Guard, Colonel Grant was assigned to the Defense Logistics Agency Pemco Aeroplex Birmingham, AL as a flight test pilot flying the KC-135 A/Q/E/R/T model aircraft.
Since joining the 117th Air Refueling Wing, Alabama Air National Guard, Birmingham, AL in 1996, Col Grant has served the 106th Air Refueling Squadron as an instructor pilot, evaluator pilot, flight and squadron commander. Prior to Wing command, Colonel Grant was Vice Wing Commander and 117th Maintenance Group Commander, Colonel Grant served as the Chair of the ANG KC-135 Weapons System Council (WSC), Vice-Chair of the ANG Air Directorate Field Advisory Council (ADFAC) and was the founding Chair of the Tanker Nuclear Action Council (TNAC). Colonel Grant was considered a field expert in Nuclear Deterrence Operations.
Col Grant tapped into his 33 years of leadership experience and serves professional organizations and businesses as a facilitator in “Leadership Application” instruction. Grant’s program was derived from his “home-grown” process for selecting and seating subordinate commanders and civilian supervisors in his Wing numbering 1100+ military, civil service and civilian personnel.
He is also a self-employed small business owner and active contract corporate pilot in the Cessna Citation jet. He is a dedicated volunteer at the Southern Museum of Flight (SMF) in addition to serving on the SMF’s Foundation Board of Directors.
Grant is the 40+ year husband of Dr. Debbie Grant and the father of two sons, Robbie and Tyler. He is also the proud grandfather of two.