** Meet Paradise Helicopter Pilot, Mooch**

Q&A with Paradise Helicopters Pilot, Mooch

Where are you from?

•  I am a child of the Pacific Islands. I grew up in Guam, Hawai’i, and the Philippines, and finished high school in California where I enlisted in the US Marine Corps.

How did you end up in Hawai’i?

• As the sunset of my twilight tour in the Marine Corps approached, I decided to return to Hawai’i. I have always loved the cultural diversity and spirit of Aloha and ‘Ohana that we all share so unselfishly. Also, living in the tropics, surrounded by beaches and surf, was a huge deciding factor.

Interests?

•  I love to run, bike, and surf. I also like just relaxing and reading.

Why did you become a pilot?

• I began my career as an enlisted man serving nearly ten years in Marine Infantry and Force Reconnaissance (special operations). After I was commissioned as a Marine Officer, I was offered and accepted an opportunity to go to the US Navy Flight School in Pensacola, Florida and was designated a Naval Aviator on the Commodore’s List.

What’s your background in flight experience? Where did you get the bulk of your hours?

• Most of my flight time and experience is from my military service. I am type rated in both rotary and fixed wing naval aircraft. During my military career, I flew 531 combat missions during multiple tours in Operation Desert Storm, Iraq, and Afghanistan.

What is your favorite tour to fly and why?

• I have flown tours and charters on every island in our island chain and they each have their own very unique sights and characteristics, but I suppose any tour that I can make breathtaking and amazing for our guests would be a favorite of mine.

What’s your favorite place to eat in Hawai’i?

• On O’ahu my favorite places are Kalapawai in Kapolei, Monkey Pod at Ko Olina Resorts, and Merrimans in Kakaako. On Lana’i my favorite place is Blue Ginger Cafe.

Is there a flight you’ve done that sticks out to you as a favorite?

• Not necessarily favorite flights but certainly memorable and life altering were flying the President of the United States of America aboard Marine One; and flying under direct hostile fire in combat in support of US and coalition forces.