James Laufer

Jim graduated from the United States Naval Academy in Annapolis Maryland, the class of 1983. After completing flight training in Pensacola, Florida and Corpus Christi, Texas Jim was assigned to fly the P-3 Orion. He was based in Barber’s Point Hawaii and deployed to the Philippines, Japan and Alaska tracking Soviet submarines during The Cold War. He was awarded an Air Medal for his actions when his aircraft lost 2 of its 4 engines on patrol. Jim left active duty after seven years in 1990.
Jim continued his Naval service with Patrol Squadron 62 in Jacksonville, Florida. Over the next ten years Jim was deployed to Keflavik Iceland, Rota Spain, Sigonella Italy, Lajes Azores, Roosevelt Roads Puerto Rico, and Howard Air Force Base in Panama. Jim left Navy flying and was assigned to CINCLANTFLT in Norfolk, Virginia. Jim spent the next three years working with the USS George Washington Battle Group. He was also involved with staffing Joint Task Force Guantanamo Bay following 9/11. He retired as a Commander in the United States Naval Reserve in 2002.
Jim is currently a Captain for American Airlines based in Miami, Florida. He has 3 children and 4 grandchildren.