It started with a book.
In 1996, a high school student browsing the library shelves in Louisville, Kentucky, came across a title that would change the direction of his life: “Lift Off: An Astronaut’s Dream” by retired U.S. Air Force Col. Mike Mullane.
It was more than just a story. It was a calling.
“I’m not exaggerating — it was calling to me,” said Lt. Col. Timothy Brown, an Air Force reservist assigned to the CAP-USAF Southwest Liaison Region. “It was one of those books you didn’t just read. It spoke to you.”
That moment sparked a dream that would carry Brown through an aviation career, beginning as a cadet in Civil Air Patrol, progressing to the U.S. Air Force Academy, and ultimately flying B-52s as an aircraft commander. He later became a pilot training instructor and a reservist.
Brown credits CAP with opening the door to the Air Force academy.
“CAP gave me the tools, mentorship, and vision,” he said. “Without that foundation, I wouldn’t have even known what was possible.”
Years later, the same childhood inspiration — Mullane, who served as a mission specialist on space shuttle flights in 1984, 1988, and 1990 — would come into Brown’s life.
“One of my reservists mentioned that he knew Mike,” Brown said. “I asked, ‘Wait, the Mike Mullane? That’s my childhood hero!’”
The reservist told Mullane about Brown’s story, and the two talked on the phone soon after.
Brown described the conversation as humbling.
“I told him how much his life and writing meant to me,” Brown recalled. “He was so gracious. His passion for youth outreach and helping others chase their dreams is real and contagious.”
Their friendship grew, beginning with a breakfast meeting at a CAP cadet encampment where Mullane was guest speaker.
“I was a little nervous meeting him,” Brown recalled. “But he was humble, down-to-earth, and we’ve been good friends ever since.”
When Brown applied to become an astronaut, Mullane didn’t hesitate to write a letter of recommendation. That letter helped Brown move from among 1,200 applicants to the top 120 — an elite 10%.
“I kept Mike updated through the whole process,” Brown said. “I made it to the final 30. NASA selected 10, and I wasn’t in that final group, but Mike and his wife, Donna, were supportive all the way.
“I got to live a slice of that NASA life through him.”
Earlier this year Brown’s journey came full circle at Falcon Field at the annual Arizona Aviation Historical Group event. This year’s event was titled “Lift Off! Shake Hands with an Astronaut!” with Mullane as guest speaker, invited by Brown.
The gathering was held Feb. 22 at the Cunningham Aviation building across the street from the Arizona Wing’s Falcon Composite Squadron 305 building.
As Arizona Aviation History Group president, Brown also invited the Falcon squadron’s color guard to participate.
Cadet Maj. Jacob Westling, Cadet 2nd Lt. Caden Rencher, and Cadet Chief Master Sgts. Eliana Adams and Hudson Orick presented the colors at the session’s start. After Mullane’s presentation, the cadets retired the colors._____2nd Lt. Roxanne SchorbachPublic Affairs OfficerFalcon Field Composite Squadron 305Arizona Wing
