Pilot honored by military for lifesaving heroism

For JT Hourigan, a Lt. Colonel in the Kentucky Air National Guard and a UPS A300 First Officer, it was a routine training flight for him and five others onboard a C130 Hercules military aircraft – until things went terribly wrong. A problem with one engine led the aircraft to shake violently, threatening catastrophe for the crew. Fortunately, JT was able to maintain control, diagnose the problem, and recover the flight less than 300 feet from the ground, saving the lives of everyone onboard. For his actions, he was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross, the US military’s highest honor for an aviator.