Navigator shares birthday with Air Force

  • Published
  • By 1st Lt. Cathleen Snow
  • 920th Rescue Wing
September 18, 2006 --  Maj. Keith Treesh, an HC-130 P/N Navigator with the 39th Rescue Squadron here has found his way back home.
It all started September 18, 1956, when Wilma Treesh gave birth to a baby boy at Patrick Air Force Base Hospital on the same day, but nine years after the Air Force became a new branch of the military.
Ever since, Maj. Treesh's destiny has pointed him skyward.
Although he said being born on an Air Force Base on the Air Force's birthday of two parents who were in the Air Force wasn't exactly what pointed him toward his career path of flying.
What did direct him skyward was an uncle who took him flying once. Major Treesh said he just really enjoyed it.
Shortly after he was born the Treesh family left Patrick AFB and eventually ended up retiring in Orlando where Maj. Treesh remembers growing up. He even attended college at the University of Central Florida where he earned his bachelor's degree in Mathematics prior to joining the military.
Maj. Treesh said his 32-year long military career has had a lot of twists and turns but has always revolved around flying. In addition to being a navigator here, he has been a commercial airline pilot for Comair Airlines since 1997.
Previously to piloting civilian planes, he served on active duty flying as a weapons system officer on the F-4 Phantom and F-15 Eagle and also served as an Air Liaison Officer. Major Treesh spent ten-and-a-half years on active duty before coming into the Air Force Reserve.
He said he even remembers the beginning of his military career when he joined the Army to fly. He was 17 years old and always the youngest guy. A few things have changed since then. "I'm usually the oldest guy now," he said.
Although he said turning 50 is just another day; he admits the irony in his full-circle return back to his roots at Patrick Air Force base to continue his military career, flying.
His dad bet that not many people who are working on base were actually born there. The original hospital has been since torn down.
Maj. Treesh's wife Kathy gave birth to their young son Michael in nearby
Rockledge. Only time will tell if he continues the Treesh flying legacy.
They reside in Viera and when asked how he plans on spending his 50th birthday, Maj. Treesh said he'll probably be working, "either here or there. Maybe a cook out, nothing fancy."