From Niagara Falls to Air Force One

Air Force One Crewman Jeff Elder returned home to Niagara Falls in 2019, after more than 30 years away, saying his return home was in response to a desire to be nearer his aging family members and to be in the town that he loves so much.  That love for his hometown resulted in an unsuccessful run as an independent candidate for Mayor of Niagara Falls in 2019. He is currently on the ballot for the Democratic Niagara County Legislature in the 4th District.  He also serves as the Community Support Specialist Lead for New York State’s Contract Tracing Initiative in the Western Region.

Jeff Elder paints a riveting story of a childhood that included a wide diversity of friends and mentors.  His story personifies the American Dream that included his growing up in the small, working class community inside the infamous Love Canal district.  He recalls a childhood environment, rich in love and nurturing by his immediate family, as well as his extended family who helped usher him into adulthood.

He attended LaSalle Sr. High School where he lettered in football, wrestling, and track and field, graduating in June 1980. Jeff enlisted in the United States Air Force in August 1980 and attended Basic Training at Lackland AFB, Texas. Upon graduation, he began technical training as a Fire Protection Specialist at Chanute AFB, Illinois. Jeff's first duty station was the 601st Civil Engineering Squadron at Sembach Air Base, West Germany, where he put his newly learned firefighting skills to use. He was then assigned to the 4789 Air Base Group at Hancock Field, Syracuse, New York.

Jeff was an instrumental player when the Air Force decided to close the base and in fact held the title of Acting Base Fire Chief for the last period of operations. His next assignment was to the 31st Civil Engineering Squadron at Homestead AFB, Florida. As a young buck sergeant, Sergeant Elder was selected to be the Non-Commissioned Officer in Charge of the Fire Department Communications Center. While at Homestead AFB, he felt the need for a career change and was accepted to a Special Duty Assignment as an In-flight Passenger Service Specialist, assigned to Andrews AFB, Maryland, in the 1st Military Airlift Squadron. When the squadron split into two, Jeff moved to the 99th Military Airlift Squadron where he upgraded to the roles of instructor and evaluator.

In 1994, he was specially chosen to become a member of the select few on Air Force One (AF-1), which transports the President of the United States, around the world.  Jeff flew on five Presidential campaigns and two secret Presidential missions to war zones in Baghdad Iraq. He was also on AF-1, during the September 11th terrorist attacks.

He served as official flight attendant for numerous dignitaries including Presidents George W. Bush, William Jefferson Clinton, and George H.W. Bush as well as Vice Presidents Dick Cheney, Al Gore, Dan Quayle, and George Bush. Jeff has also flown the heads of state of the Philippines, Sweden, Israel, and Jordan.

During his career, Jeff logged nearly 6,000 flying hours in an impressive list of aircraft to include the C-9, C-20, VC-25, and many more. His military decorations include the Meritorious Service Medal (2OLC), the Air Medal (1OLC), Aerial Achievement Medal (3OLC), the AF Commendation Medal (4OLC), Achievement Medal (2OLC), the Joint Meritorious Unit Award (4OLC), Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal (2OLC), and the AF Outstanding Unit Award (6OLC).

Jeff’s love for sports remained with him throughout his journey, allowing him to excel in the sport of racquetball. He is a six-time Maryland State champion and was the #1 ranked Masters player in the Air Force and the coach/captain of the Air Force Racquetball Team. He has held the distinction of being ranked #1 in the United States in his age division. Jeff has served on USA Racquetball’s Board of Directors as the Military Representative. USA Racquetball is the National Governing Body for racquetball in the United States under the auspices of the United States Olympic Committee.

Elder admits that his has been a blessed life journey, and he has long wanted to document his story and share it with others.  It was not until a dear friend and colleague began encouraging him, that he became serious about the project.

Jeff graduated from the University of Maryland, University College, with a BA in Emergency Management. He is married to the former Vicki Fontaine of Cheektowaga, New York, and has two daughters, Brianna (31) and Danielle (24), and two grandchildren, Gianna (9) and Aiden (3) with an additional grandson coming in the summer 2021.

The official book launch of From Niagara Falls to Air Force One…And, Back, will be held Sunday, June 20, 2021, from 5-8:30 p.m., at the Doubletree Niagara Falls NY, located at 401 Buffalo Ave. Niagara Falls, in the Cascade C Room