AMERICAN AERO FTW CONTINUES ITS SUPPORT OF THE NAVY SEAL FOUNDATION FOR THE
8TH CONSECUTIVE YEAR
Fort Worth, Texas based FBO is committed to helping SEALs become pilots and has contributed over $133,000 since its support began in 2013
VIRGINIA BEACH -– Nearly 200 Naval Special Warfare (NSW) operators transition off of active duty every year, including a growing number of retirees who entered service after the attacks of 9/11. A scholarship fund established by American Aero FTW, a fixed-base operator (FBO) at Meacham International Airport in Fort Worth, Texas, continues to provide new opportunities for these warriors as they move from active-duty military service to life in the civilian sector.
As a long-time Navy SEAL Foundation (NSF) supporter, American Aero recently surpassed the $133,000 mark for donations made in support of NSF’s robust scholarship program for the NSW community. This year’s gift of $17,497 will be used to help U.S. Navy SEALs and Special Warfare Combatant-Craft Crewmen (SWCCs) who are seeking pilot certification.
Through its support of the Foundation, American Aero FTW has facilitated the flight training or licensure of NSW personnel, including veteran and active-duty SEALs. The scholarship has made a tremendous impact in the lives of these warriors, covering related expenses for Commercial Pilot Aviation Instrumental Rating, Rotorcraft-Helicopter Private Pilot, and FAA Rotary Wing Pilot Add-on certifications along with other needed training and flight simulation costs. In 2020, NSF provided $1.8 million in scholarship funds to qualified applicants, including four SEALs who received scholarships generated by American Aero FTW and its clients who helped fund the donation.
“Since American Aero FTW’s founding in 2012, they have remained committed in their support of our nation’s military members, including our SEALs, by not only hiring veterans but by making significant contributions to organizations like NSF in support of meaningful programs,” said Robin King, CEO of the Navy SEAL Foundation. “For many of our SEALs, the operational tempo of back-to-back combat deployments paired with extensive training has meant they could not invest the time to pursue a degree, licensure, or certification. Because of the support of American Aero FTW, SEALs seeking assistance for flight training or pilot’s licensure can rest easy knowing NSF is here to help.”
When asked what the scholarship has meant one scholarship recipient shared, “I would like to thank the Navy SEAL Foundation and its donors for being so gracious to me and to many others like me who are trying to achieve so much outside of work. I have been awarded three flight scholarships and have been able to knock out my instrument rating and commercial license. I wouldn’t have been able to streamline the process and knock these out so quickly without the NSF and its donors’ help. Again, thank you all for helping me pursue my dream of continuing flying.”
The Navy SEAL Foundation is committed to providing transitioning warriors with the tools they need to have a successful move into the civilian sector. Many SEALs who entered service after the attacks of 9/11 have endured two decades of intense training and combat with little time to pursue professional development or educational opportunities–just one more reason the support from American Aero FTW is so essential.
“It is a privilege to create new opportunities for those who so honorably and courageously serve our country, particularly those who enlisted after the events of 9/11 and have put their lives on the line for nearly two decades,” said Robert M. Bass, founder of American Aero. “With this scholarship fund, the American Aero team expresses its gratitude to those heroes as they consider what they would like to do next and welcomes them to join us in our love of private aviation.”
About the Navy SEAL Foundation:
The mission of the Navy SEAL Foundation (NSF) is to provide immediate and ongoing support and assistance to the Naval Special Warfare (NSW) community and its families, the families of NSW fallen, and SEAL and SWCC veterans. U.S. Navy SEALs have been in sustained combat for nearly two decades, performing hazardous work in unforgiving environments at an unrelenting pace. NSW operators are currently deployed in over 30 countries worldwide and can spend up to 270 days each year in harm’s way.
The Navy SEAL Foundation stands behind these warriors and their families by providing a comprehensive set of programs specifically designed to improve health and welfare, build and enhance resiliency, empower and educate families and provide critical support during times of illness, injury or loss. Like the community it serves, the Navy SEAL Foundation is a high performing organization committed to excellence. NSF has been awarded the coveted 4-Star rating from Charity Navigator since 2011 and has earned a perfect score of “100” each year since 2016 for financial health, accountability, and transparency, placing NSF in the top 1% of rated charities. Ninety-four cents of every dollar donated goes directly to programs or is retained for future mission use.
The Navy SEAL Foundation is a 501c3 national non-profit charitable organization. TAX-ID 31-1728910. NSF is a non-federal entity, and it is not a part of the Department of Defense or any of its components, and it has no governmental status. To learn more, visit https://www.navySEALfoundation.org
About American Aero FTW
Founded in 2012, American Aero FTW is a fixed-base operator (FBO) located at Meacham International Airport (KFTW) in Fort Worth, Texas. The business is focused on refueling, ground handling, servicing, and storing of business and private aviation aircraft and provides extensive crew and passenger amenities. American Aero consistently ranks as one of the best FBOs in the world in the Aviation International News FBO Reader Survey. It is also one of only a handful of FBOs in the world to earn the industry’s highest safety certification—and has the longest history of IS-BAH (International Standard of Business Aircraft Handling) accreditation from the International Business Aviation Council. American Aero is an AvFuel branded and Signature Select™ affiliated FBO. It is the primary tenant and only FBO in the airport’s administration building and offers 300,000 square feet of leasable hangar and office space. More information can be found at www.AmericanAero.com.