U.S. Senator John Boozman (R-AR) has celebrated the distinguished service of Kenneth Griffin in his ‘Salute to Veterans’ series, which highlights the military contributions of Arkansans. Griffin, who was raised in a military family with his father serving in the Air Force, was inspired from a young age to pursue a career as a pilot. After moving to Batesville and enlisting in the Air Force following high school, Griffin’s journey took him from basic training to becoming a respected pilot.
Griffin’s military career saw him trained in aeromedical evacuation, thanks to pivotal moments facilitated by influential mentors, or “angels,” who guided him towards his dream. Despite early challenges, including a vision issue that required a rare medical waiver, Griffin persevered. His training led him to the Euro-NATO Joint Jet Pilot Training Program and eventually to flying F-15s and F-16s. His most memorable and formative experience came on September 11, 2001, when he and his team were thrust into heightened alert and rapid response operations following the terrorist attacks.
After a distinguished 30-year career, including multiple combat tours and a role in Governor Asa Hutchinson’s administration, Griffin retired and was inducted into the Arkansas Military Veterans’ Hall of Fame in 2023. Senator Boozman praised Griffin as a cornerstone of the Arkansas military community, emphasizing the importance of preserving such stories through the Veterans History Project. Those interested in nominating a veteran for the ‘Salute to Veterans’ series can contact Boozman’s Fort Smith office at 479-573-0189.
