Scott O’Grady speaks about his incredible true-life struggle to survive in the hostile territory of war-torn Bosnia. Scott O’Grady’s story is an inspirational tale of courage, faith and patriotism by an American hero.

“We don’t know what we’re capable of until we have to survive. Each of us is stronger than we know - the key is learning to tap that power at will.” - Scott O’Grady

In June of 1995, U.S. Air Force Captain Scott O’Grady was helping enforce the NATO no-fly zone in the skies over Bosnia when a Soviet-made anti-aircraft missile slammed into his F-16. Captain O’Grady’s presentations focus on the story of how he managed to live through the missile impact, the techniques he used to survive in a barren and hostile landscape for six days, and the real story behind the daring rescue mission carried out by the U.S. Marines.

Before transferring to Embry Riddle Aeronautical University, Prescott, Arizona, Scott O’Grady attended the University of Washington for one year. He earned a Bachelor of Science degree (Aeronautical) in 1989 and was commissioned through the Air Force Reserve Officers training Corps program, April 1989.

Captain O’Grady attended the Euro-NATO Joint Jet Pilot Training Program and was then assigned to F-16 pilot training at Luke AFB until December 1991, when he began his first operational assignment flying the F-16 at the 80th Fighter Squadron, Kunsan Air Force Base, Korea. In April 1992, Captain Scott O’Grady was reassigned to the 526th Fighter Squadron, Ramsteim AB, Germany, until assuming a position in May 1994 with the 555th Fighter Squadron in Aviano, Italy.

In October 1995, he began his present position as an F-16 pilot assigned to be the 466th Fighter Squadron, at Hill Air Force Base, Utah. Captain O’Grady has accumulated more than 1,100 flying hours in T-37, T-38 and F-16 Aircraft, including 800 in F-16C and D aircraft.

Scott O’Grady’s children’s book, Basher Five-Two was published in 1997 and his Return With Honor spent six weeks on The New York Time best seller list.