Randy Varady, United States Army
Base Line Pilot
Randy Varady joined the Army in 1997 as an armor crew member right out of high school, inspired by his family’s legacy of military service and the stories his grandfather shared from his time during the Korean War.
After 10 years on the M1A2SEP Abrams tank at Fort Hood, Texas, Randy pursued his lifelong dream of flying and was selected for Warrant Officer Candidate School (WOCS) at Fort Rucker, Alabama, in 2007. He went on to fly an OH-58D Bell helicopter until 2015, when the Army retired the aircraft. He later transitioned to fixed-wing platforms, flying MC-12 King Air and its variants.
Over the course of his career, he deployed to countries in Southeastern Europe, the Middle East, Central Asia and Africa. Randy retired in 2020 after 23 years of active duty, a decision made together with his wife and family.
Today, Randy is a base line pilot with Air Evac Lifeteam 80 in Perryville, Missouri. His experience in quick reaction missions prepared him well for the fast-paced demands of air medical transport. Flying EMS allows him to continue serving others while returning to his passion for helicopters.
Rank achieved
He achieved the rank of CW3 (Chief Warrant Officer 3).
What do you miss about serving?
“The one thing I miss is the camaraderie you have with everyone you serve with. Everyone I served with to the left and right of me would have taken a bullet for me like I would have for them.”
After 10 years on the M1A2SEP Abrams tank at Fort Hood, Texas, Randy pursued his lifelong dream of flying and was selected for Warrant Officer Candidate School (WOCS) at Fort Rucker, Alabama, in 2007. He went on to fly an OH-58D Bell helicopter until 2015, when the Army retired the aircraft. He later transitioned to fixed-wing platforms, flying MC-12 King Air and its variants.
Over the course of his career, he deployed to countries in Southeastern Europe, the Middle East, Central Asia and Africa. Randy retired in 2020 after 23 years of active duty, a decision made together with his wife and family.
Today, Randy is a base line pilot with Air Evac Lifeteam 80 in Perryville, Missouri. His experience in quick reaction missions prepared him well for the fast-paced demands of air medical transport. Flying EMS allows him to continue serving others while returning to his passion for helicopters.
Rank achieved
He achieved the rank of CW3 (Chief Warrant Officer 3).
What do you miss about serving?
“The one thing I miss is the camaraderie you have with everyone you serve with. Everyone I served with to the left and right of me would have taken a bullet for me like I would have for them.”
