Sheridan K. Hawk joined the US Air Force in March 1963. He graduated from Officer Training School, then the USAF Nuclear Weapons School, after which he served a tour as an F106 Squadron Nuclear Weapons Officer.

After his F106 tour, Lt. Hawk went to pilot training, followed by the USAF Helicopter Flight School, and then served as a combat search and rescue helicopter pilot at Bien Hoa AB, South Vietnam from January 1967 to January 1968. While in Vietnam, Capt Hawk was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross (DFC) for heroism during combat search and rescue aerial flight Mar 31, 1967. The award was presented by General of the Army Omar N. Bradley.

Following his tour in Vietnam, Major Hawk served tours as a C130 Search and Rescue pilot. Toward the end of his career LtCol Hawk flew the T39 Saberliner aircraft and served as commander of two different operational USAF units. He retired in April 1991 as a Lt Colonel.