Colonel (ret) Don Haley, callsign “Stryker”, got his pilot’s license at age 18 and served in the United States Air Force for over 24 years. A career fighter pilot, he has flown over 3,200 hours, including 699 combat hours. He graduated from Vanderbilt University in 1999, earning his commission through the Air Force Reserve Officer Training Corps. Colonel (ret) Haley has deployed in support of Operations IRAQI FREEDOM, ENDURING FREEDOM, and INHERENT RESOLVE. From 2015-2017, he commanded the 333rd Fighter Squadron, Seymour Johnson Air Force Base, North Carolina. After squadron command, he worked at the Air Force Headquarters in Washington DC, developing future concepts of air and space power employment, paving the way for his final Air Force assignment as founder and commander of Detachment 62, an innovative branch of the Air Force created to develop training for a new generation of aircraft known as eVTOL.

Following his retirement from the Air Force in September 2023, Stryker joined Hermeus Corporation, an innovative aviation startup in Atlanta, GA developing hypersonic aircraft. Hermeus’ mission is to radically accelerate air travel and bring “newspace” to aviation. Stryker serves as the liaison between Hermeus and government agencies such as the USAF, DOD, and NASA in developing a series of autonomous aircraft that derisk hypersonic technology and solve urgent national security challenges.

Don is a servant-minded leader who has inspired many through his commitment to integrity, his faith, his family, and his country. He is beloved and deeply respected by all who know him, especially his wife and 4 children who support him wholeheartedly and could not be prouder of his many accomplishments! We love you, Stryker!

All our love,
Julie, Mackenzie, Joshua, Madeleine, & Benjamin

“Wherever Thou Goest, I Will Go.” Ruth 1:16-17

“Those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.” Isaiah 40:31