An Impeccable & Unparalleled Filipino Pride

By: Lourdes G. Mon

 

Our subject this issue is an impeccable Filipino pride in US military history. Now employed in private practice, as Director of Strategic Development for the VIPSAM Group at L3Harris Technologies, he retired as the 16th Presidential Pilot for Air Force in the United States. Every Filipino can be proud of his achievements, unparalleled by anyone.
He is retired Colonel Alexander Miravite Jr., a retired officer of the United States Air Force who holds a unique and groundplace in U.S. aviation history. He is best known for being the very first Filipino-American to serve as the Presidential Pilot for Air Force One.
He earned his commission through the Air Force Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC) Detachment 390 at the University of Michigan. He is a Distinguished Graduate of several rigorous programs, including Air Force ROTC, C-21 qualification training, and the Air Force Institute of Technology (where he earned a Master’s degree in Operations Analysis in 2006).
Colonel Miravite built a diverse operations background in Strategic Airlift, Operational Support Airlift, Formal Training, and Special Air Missions before rising to the very top echelon of military aviation. He joined the elite ranks of Air Force One pilots in 2011. Over his tenure, he flew for three consecutive U.S. Presidents: Barack Obama, Donald Trump, and Joe Biden.
In his final three years of service before retirement, he was selected as the 16th Presidential Pilot. In this role, he served as the Mission Commander for the President of the United States aboard Air Force One, making him the very first Filipino-American in USAF history to hold the position. He served as the Commander of the Presidential Airlift Group based at Joint Airbase Andrews, Maryland. There, he was responsible for leading two subordinate units critical to the President’s Global Mobility, the Presidential Airlift Squadron and the Presidential Logistics Squadron.
As the 16th Presidential Pilot, Col. Miravite was the very first Filipino American in the history of the United States Air Force to hold the position as Commander. His 357-person Group is the Department of Defense’s sole unit responsible for the safe, comfortable, and reliable fixed-wing transport of the U.S. President.
He also served as the White House Military Office Operational Unit Director. He received his commission from the Air Force Reserve Officer Training Corps Detachment 390 at the University of Michigan. He has a diverse operations background in Operational Support Airlift, Strategic Airlift, Formal Training, and Special Air Missions. Miravite is also a Distinguished Graduate of the following programs: Air Force ROTC, Air Force Institute of Technology and C-21 qualification training. He served a staff tour as the Chief of Operations Staff Assignments at the Headquarters Air Force Personnel Center.
Col. Miravite comes from a family with a strong tradition of service. His father, Alexander Miravite Sr., served in the Air Force for 30 years—working his way up from an enlisted member to a Major—and later worked as a U.S. Department of Defense civil service engineer. His mother, Jean Punsalan, retired from the World Bank after 30 years as an IT supervisor.
When he started his new job, Col. Miravite said, “I am excited to start a new position as Director, Strategic Development, VIPSAM Group for L3Harris Technologies. I am grateful to Solairus Aviation for the opportunity to fly the Gulfstream 650 on a great account these last few years, providing pertinent exposure to the business aviation industry. I will continue residing in the Northern VA/DC Metro area. I am looking forward to engaging on exciting mission-focused projects ensuring that our executive blue-and-white aircraft fleet postures our senior leaders and our nation for success.”
A historic achievement, Colonel Alexander Miravite Jr., is the first Filipino American ever entrusted to serve as a Presidential Pilot, flying Air Force One for three Presidents of the United States.
Culminating his remarkable journey is a powerful testament to excellence, leadership, and Filipino pride.