**Colonel Warren Glen Ward, U.S. Air Force, Retired. Ward was born in Crossett, AR, on 9 December 1961. He moved to Ashdown, AR in 1968 and remained there until graduating from high school in 1980. Ward completed his degree in Electrical Engineering at Louisiana Tech University in 1985, the same year he was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant in the U.S. Air Force. His first assignment was as a Program Engineer and Scientific Programs Officer at the USAF Armament Lab, Elgin AFB, FL. After this role, he attended flight training and became a B-52 pilot in 1988. At the start of Desert Shield, a group of aircrew and maintainers, including Ward, from the 596th Bomb Squadron were briefed on the use of a new weapon, the Conventional Air Launched Cruise Missile. For six months, they conducted training under classified conditions. This operation, officially named Operation Senior Surprise and informally known as "The Secret Squirrel Mission,” commenced in January 1991 with the first combat sorties for the liberation of Kuwait during Operation Desert Storm. This mission, directed by the Joint Chiefs of Staff, involved flying over 14,000 miles in 35 hours and 24 minutes, striking targets in Iraq. The mission contributed to the overall outcome of the Persian Gulf Crisis.

On 8 August 1995, while on an aerial flight, Ward’s B-52 experienced a violent explosion shortly after takeoff, resulting in the loss of two engines. Ward managed the recovery and landing of the aircraft after flying more than six hours to achieve a suitable landing weight. He executed a night instrument approach, initiated a go-around due to asymmetric drag, and landed the aircraft successfully on the second attempt, stopping within the runway despite challenges with the braking system. This action prevented a potentially hazardous situation given the live weapons on board and nearby civilian residences.

These are two instances from Ward’s service during his over 25 years in the U.S. Air Force. He held various positions and received several awards, including the Legion of Merit, Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Meritorious Service Medal with three OLCs, Air Medal with two OLCs, among others. Ward retired from active duty on 31 July 2010 and from USAF Civil Service in October 2020. Since 2020, he has served as Chief of Staff and Director of Operations for the Louisiana Tech Research Institute.