Lincoln born, Scott Altman returns to town this Sunday
Former Air Force pilot, NASA Shuttle Astronaut and stunt double for Tom Cruise in Top Gun to speak at the American Legion

[June 10, 2016]   LINCOLN - Many people are unaware that Lincoln is the birthplace of a true American hero -former NASA Shuttle Astronaut and retired Navy Captain Scott “Scooter” Altman.

Capt. Altman was born in Lincoln on August 15, 1959, the son of Fred and Sharon Altman. He then grew up Pekin, and graduated from Pekin High School in 1977. After receiving a bachelor of science degree in aeronautical and astronautical engineering from the University of Illinois, Scott was commissioned as an Ensign in the United States Navy in August 1981, and received his Naval Aviator wings in February 1983.

As a member of Fighter Squadron 51 at (then) NAS Miramar, Altman completed two deployments to the Western Pacific and Indian Ocean flying the F-14A Tomcat.

In August 1987, he was selected for the Naval Postgraduate School-Test Pilot School Co-op program and graduated with Test Pilot School Class 97 in June 1990 as a Distinguished Graduate. After graduation, he spent the next two years as a test pilot working on various F-14 projects. Altman then took the new F-14D on its first operational deployment with VF-31 Tom-caters, where he served as maintenance officer and later operations officer.

He was awarded the Air Medal for his role as a strike leader flying over Southern Iraq in support of Operation Southern Watch.

Shortly following his return from this six-month deployment, he was selected for the NASA astronaut program. He has logged over 7,000 flight hours in more than 40 types of aircraft.

Altman also has flown four shuttle missions, logging more than 51 days in space. He was the pilot of STS-90 in 1998 and STS-106 in 2000, and was commander of the final two missions to the Hubble Space Telescope, STS-109 in 2002 and STS-125 in 2009.

You are invited to meet retired Navy Captain Scott Altman: Commander of space shuttle Columbia and Atlantis, ex-fighter pilot, and stunt double for Tom Cruise in Top Gun, performing many of the aerial stunts.

Join us Sunday evening, June 12th at 6:30 p.m. at the American Legion Post #263 in Lincoln, for a relaxing evening of great food, fellowship and a chance to honor an international hero.

This event is being sponsored by the First Baptist Church of Lincoln, with proceeds going to their new building fund. Advance tickets are available for $20.00 each at selected State Bank of Lincoln locations. If you sponsor a table of eight, you only pay for seven ($140.00), receiving the eighth ticket free. Group tickets can be purchased by calling Lincoln First Baptist Church at 217-732-7409 or Pastor Ben Manley at 217-971-2087. Tickets sold at the door will be $25.00.

[Dennis Willmert]