As a C-17A Instructor Pilot with the 58th Airlift Squadron at Altus Air Force Base in Oklahoma, David Ortiz spends his days training and developing the next generation of C-17 aircrew. He also serves as an Assistant Director of Operations, helping oversee the squadron’s daily flying operations, training requirements, and mission readiness. 

Returning to West Texas gives Ortiz an opportunity to reflect on the experiences and relationships that helped shape his journey. From the teachers and coaches who challenged him at Frenship to the mentors he now strives to be for others, the lessons he learned as a student continue to influence the way he leads and serves today.  

How did your experience at Frenship help prepare you for life after high school? 

Frenship gave me countless opportunities to grow, both academically and through sports. I was surrounded by teachers, coaches, and classmates who pushed me to work hard and get better. Looking back, I think Frenship helped teach me discipline, teamwork, and how to take advantage of the opportunities in front of me. Those lessons carried with me long after graduation and have played a big part in everything I’ve done since. 

Were there any teachers, coaches, or mentors at Frenship who had a lasting impact on you? 

Absolutely, Coach Fanelli and Coach Beeles both had a lasting impact on me. They pushed me to work hard, be disciplined, and understand what it meant to be part of a team. Mr. and Mrs. Chad and Kayci Smith were also incredibly influential in my life, along with Ms. Giles. Each of them, in different ways, invested time in me and helped shape who I became after high school. As I’ve gotten older, I’ve come to appreciate those relationships even more. Now that I’m in a position where I teach, lead, and mentor younger pilots and Airmen, I think a lot about the people at Frenship who took the time to challenge me, encourage me, and believe in me. I try to carry that forward in the way I teach others today. 

What inspired you to join the United States Air Force? 

My grandfather served in the military, so military service was something I had always respected growing up. I was also drawn to aviation, so the Air Force became a way to combine those interests. More than anything, I liked the idea of being part of something bigger than myself. I knew it wouldn’t be the easiest path, but I also knew it would give me opportunities to grow, lead, travel, and serve. Looking back, it has given me more opportunities than I ever could have imagined. 

What has your journey in the Air Force looked like since graduating from Frenship? 

After graduating from Frenship, I attended the United States Air Force Academy, where I earned a degree in Systems Engineering and was fortunate enough to receive a pilot training slot. From there, I went to Undergraduate Pilot Training at Vance Air Force Base, where I flew the T-6 Texan II and then the T-1 Jayhawk. At the end of pilot training, I was lucky enough to be selected to fly the C-17 Globemaster III. 

My first assignment was at Joint Base Charleston, South Carolina, where I spent about seven years flying the C-17. During that time, I had the opportunity to fly missions all over the world and complete three combat deployments. 

Eventually, I moved to Altus Air Force Base, Oklahoma, where I now serve as a C-17 instructor pilot with the 58th Airlift Squadron. I teach pilots at several different stages of their careers, from those learning the C-17 for the first time all the way through instructor pilots. I also serve as an Assistant Director of Operations, helping lead the squadron and manage our day-to-day flying and training mission. 

It has been an incredible journey from Frenship to where I am today, and getting the chance to bring a C-17 back over West Texas makes this flyover especially meaningful. 

What do you enjoy most about your role in the Air Force? 

The people are what I enjoy most. I’ve had the opportunity to work alongside some incredibly talented and driven people throughout my career, and those relationships are what make the job special. I also love flying. There aren’t many jobs where you get to fly an airplane like the C-17 around the world and see firsthand what it is capable of doing. 

I also really enjoy the sense of purpose that comes with the job. Whether we’re supporting combat operations, moving people and equipment, or responding to a humanitarian mission, you know that what you’re doing matters. 

Now that I’m an instructor, one of the most rewarding parts of the job is getting to teach and mentor other pilots. Being able to take what I’ve learned over the years and pass it on to the next generation has become one of my favorite parts of my career. 

What would you tell a Frenship student who dreams of becoming a pilot or serving in the military? 

It starts now. Work hard, take advantage of the opportunities that are presented to you, and don’t be afraid to take a leap. You’re going to fail at things along the way, and that’s okay. Learn from it, keep moving forward, and don’t let one setback define you. If there is something you want to do, go after it and don’t let anything hold you back. 

Anything else you would like to share with the Frenship Community? 

I’m incredibly grateful for where I came from and for the people who helped me along the way. No matter where the Air Force has taken me, Frenship and West Texas will always be part of my story. Getting to come back and fly a C-17 over this community is something that means a lot to me. 

I remember being a student at Frenship and wondering what life might look like after high school. I never would have imagined that years later I’d have the opportunity to come back like this. 

Hopefully, there’s a student watching the flyover who looks up and thinks, “I want to do that someday.” If this helps inspire even one person to chase something they thought might be out of reach, that would make it even more special.