CW3 Seth B. Russ first began his military career in 1990 when he enlisted in the US Navy. That same year he deployed to the Persian Gulf during Operation Desert Storm. He served as airman aboard the USS America CV-66 in the V-2 Division of the Air Department-catapults and arresting gear. In 1991 CW3 Russ deployed again to the Persian Gulf in the same capacity. Later in 1991 he deployed to Operation North Star off the northern coast of Norway. In 1993 he deployed to Haiti.
In 1995, CW3 transferred to Patrol Squadron 47 in Hawaii where he served as an Aviation Warfare Systems Operator Second Class aboard P-3C Orion aircraft. He was again deployed to the Persian Gulf. In 1996 CW3 Russ received the Aircrew Man of the Year for Pacific Fleet award. In 1996 he deployed to Japan, and in 1997 deployed to the Persian Gulf.
While enlisted in the Navy he received the Navy Achievement Medal twice, Sea Service Deployment Ribbon four times, South-West Asia Campaign Medal four times, the Kuwait Liberation Medal (Kuwait), the Kuwait Liberation Medal (Saudi Arabia), the Navy Expeditionary medal, and the Navy Air Crewman Wings. In 1998 CW3 transferred to the US Army as a Warrant Officer after which he attended Army Flight School. He graduated top of his class in Flight School and was assigned to fly UH-60 A/L Blackhawks. In 1999 he was assigned to 3rd I.D. in Ft. Stewart, GA where he deployed to Bosnia in support of the Bosnian Conflict. In 2002 he was deployed to Korea.
In 2003 he transferred to Ft. Rucker as an Instructor Pilot and Instrument Examiner. There he trained new pilots the basic and advanced aircraft techniques including instruments and night vision goggle training. In 2007 CW3 Russ was assigned to the 3-158th Aviation Brigade in Ansbach, Germany where he subsequently deployed to Iraq in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. CW3 Russ has over 4000 flight hours as a Blackhawk Pilot. While serving in the US Army, he received the Joint Service Achievement Medal, Army Commendation Medal three times, the Army Achievement Medal, the NATO Medal, the Global War on Terror Service Expeditionary Medal, the Global War on Terror Service Medal, the Army Aviator Wings, and the Army Senior Aviator Wings. Throughout the course of his career CW3 Russ has been the epitome of professionalism and dedication to his country and to his love of aviation.