Juan Silver ​ from Richmond, Virginia

Juan Silver has served 17 years in the U.S. Air Force as an aircraft maintainer. Starting as an F-16 Crew Chief in Italy, he had the opportunity to work and deploy with Luc “Gaza” Gruenther to Bagram, Afghanistan, in 2011 in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. There, Gaza took the time to help mentor Juan before his mission launch and even helped him pick up a hobby in photography. While on pre-deployment training in Nevada, Juan learned of Gaza’s accident in 2013, altering Juan’s career trajectory. Juan acquired his Bachelor’s in Professional Aeronautics with a focus in Aviation Safety and Management. He went on to certify as an Airframe and Powerplant Mechanic with the Federal Aviation Administration. Juan had become a Crash Recovery Team Chief, then qualified for the Aircraft Mishap Investigation Course, where he became a board member for a Class-B Safety Investigation Board over a T-38 mishap. His efforts had him selected to the Air Combat Command Inspector General team, where he evaluates mission readiness for over 1000 aircraft and 150,000 members across the U.S. Juan is currently pursuing his Master’s degree in Aviation Safety at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University while taking flying lessons to attain his private pilot’s license. His goals are to become a pilot, work for the NTSB, and start his own aviation safety business. If he’s not in the books, he can be found partner dancing, traveling the globe, and Living Like Luc by exploring the outdoors and enjoying life.