Stealth pilot Alton Whitley to headline Memorial Day events at American Mural Project

U.S. Air Force Colonel Alton Whitley, Jr. (ret) with the Lockheed F-117 Nighthawk. Image courtesy of Col. Alton Whitley.

The American Mural Project (AMP) will host two events featuring retired Col. Alton Whitley, the first operational pilot of the Lockheed F-117 Nighthawk stealth fighter, during Memorial Day weekend.

Whitley, a decorated U.S. Air Force veteran whose career spanned missions in Vietnam, Thailand, and Kuwait, will appear at the mural facility on Saturday, May 23. The day begins with a “Family Flight Lab” featuring interactive activities for all ages, followed by an evening “AMP Talk” moderated by Megan Torrey of the World Affairs Council of Connecticut.

The program, held in collaboration with the New England Air Museum, marks the first time Whitley will appear at AMP to discuss his 26-year military career. Whitley was selected as a subject for the mural by AMP founder Ellen Griesedieck, who sought to represent military workers through the story of the pilot who tested the military’s first top-secret stealth technology.

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During his service, Whitley led the 37th Fighter Wing during Operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm. His experience includes piloting the F-100 Super Sabre, the A-7 Corsair II, and the A-10 Thunderbolt II. His military honors include the Distinguished Flying Cross, the Legion of Merit, and the Vietnam Service Medal.

Following his retirement from active duty, Whitley served as the director of the Air Force Junior ROTC program. Tickets for the events at 90 Whiting Street are currently available through the American Mural Project website.

Event Details

Family Flight Lab
Saturday, May 23 | 10am-3pm
Admission: $15 adults/$5 for children 18 & under/$12 seniors and veterans

Prepare for takeoff! Kids (and their adult co-pilots) will spread their wings and hit the heights at AMP’s first-ever Family Flight Lab! This day will feature interactive experiences that will simulate flight, fun art projects, and the opportunity to meet a real U.S. Air Force fighter pilot. With AMP’s sky-high mural as a backdrop, this exciting event will have imaginations soaring!

Break the fun barrier with a pilot helmet exhibit, photo ops, tours of the mural, and more. A highlight certain to accelerate the afternoon is a paper airplane contest where guests design and decorate their own paper airplanes. At 1pm, we’ll let them fly with prizes in various categories. Take your pilot training up a notch with a virtual reality flight simulator from New England Air Museum for a modest additional charge.

12pm – Meet the Pilot! This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for kids to meet a real-life Air Force fighter pilot! Colonel Alton Whitley (please call him “Al”) is a decorated veteran who served during the Vietnam War, took command of the 37th Fighter Wing, and deployed for Operation Desert Shield and Desert Storm. He will tell you about his training, career, and answer your questions! If you use your eagle eyes, you might even see where AMP’s Ellen Griesedieck has painted Al’s stealthy plane in the mural.

AMP Talk: An Evening with USAF Colonel Alton Whitley
Saturday, May 23
AMP Talk: 6pm
VIP Experience: 5pm
Admission: $85 for AMP Talk/$150 for VIP Experience

With a soaring mural (featuring Al piloting his F-117!) providing an epic skyline, World Affairs Council of Connecticut Executive Director Megan Torrey joins Col. Whitley and Ellen for an insightful and inspiring conversation sure to cover his high-flying experiences, education, and beyond.

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Stealth pilot Alton Whitley to headline Memorial Day events at American Mural Project