Chef" Barlow, "The Boy Who Grew Wings: Sometimes The Perfect Shot Takes A Moment, Sometimes A Lifetime

USA TODAY AND WALL STREET JOURNAL BESTSELLER
Founder & CEO of Blue Air Training LLC, James “Chef” Barlow sparked a multi-billion dollar industry that didn’t exist, and the first fully weaponized, civilian-owned, airborne training provider in support of the U.S. Air Force was born. Blue Air, now a global brand, paved the way to a new frontier in contracted airborne services, and leads as the gold standard for national defense.
The Boy Who Grew Wings is the incredible true story of a boy who wanted to become a fighter pilot, conquered Stage 4 cancer, raised two boys as a single military dad, and his battle against all odds to make his dreams come true…
Dreams do come true. James ended up serving 20 years in the U.S. Air Force as an A-10 pilot, flying more than 100 combat missions, and building a career that far exceeded his own expectations. As his time in the Air Force came to a close, his mission to save the men and women of this great nation burned hotter.
He and his wife Gretchen made the tough decision to leave the Air Force and launch the next chapter of their future: Blue Air Training.
From taking lives to saving them…
James paved the way in the new frontier of defense support and aviation by founding the first fully weaponized, civilian-owned and private training air force to fly in support of the U.S. Air Force in an industry that didn’t exist yet—something illegal at the time until he did it.
His vision to train and equip warfighters for war with state-of-the-art and elite tactics he mastered during his time in the War on Terror became his catalyst for building a multi-billion dollar industry in just six years.
He knew he couldn’t build it alone—so he called in favors and created his own Hall of Justice, comprised of the most elite defense operators in aviation—both veteran and civilian.
Your ghosts become your fuel…
Through a never take prisoners attitude, James persevered against overwhelming odds stacked against him. From severe childhood abuse from a man supposed to be a father-figure to a young boy, to suddenly becoming a single dad of two boys while fighting combat missions overseas, to pursuing his dreams as an entrepreneur and building the first of its kind defense industry, to discovering over a phone call that he had months to live because of the raging Stage 4 cancer eating way at his insides…
Through it all James never forgot the mission or his dream. He used those circumstances as rocket fuel to motivate him to overcome any challenge or obstacle thrown at him until he crossed the finish line.
Failures and setbacks don’t define you…
James considers everything that he overcame a blessing that forged him into the man, father, husband, and leader he is today. Your mistakes, setbacks, and failures don’t define your worth or your potential. Your dreams, talents, unwavering determination and grit, ability to pivot and solve worthy problems, all while expending the necessary energy and effort to see it through represent the true value of a person.
The torch passes to you…
Do you possess a dream deep inside of you that refuses to leave you? Do you have the gumption to see it through no matter what, and focus all of your energy to manifest it like James did with his dream…
Then flip the page, and let’s find your true north together.