David Butler graduated from the U.S. Air Force Academy in 1987 and became a pilot flying variations of the C-135 aircraft, to include: command and control (EC-135), the Constant Phoenix (WC-235) which collected samples from the atmosphere to detect and identify nuclear explosions, and the Stratotanker (KC-135), the first jet-powered refueling tanker. He flew in England, South Dakota and New York. He left active duty in 1994 to be a stay-at-home father for his daughters, Natasha (1994) and Erin (1996).

In 1999 he joined the New Jersey Air National Guard flying the KC-135 E. Following the September 11th terrorist attacks, he was mobilized to active duty once again. During the war against terrorism, Major Butler flew combat air patrols over New York City and Washington, D.C., and twice deployed to Southwest Asia where he flew a total of 43 combat sorties over Afghanistan and Pakistan. He lives in the Washington D.C. area, and is proud to be a charter member of the Smithsonian's National Air and Space Museum.

The photo shows Major Butler at Thumrait, Oman on January 13, 2002, where he was participating in Operation Enduring Freedom. He has his back to a KC-135 E.