Havasu Honors Navy Pilot John “Jack” Hansen: A Legacy of Service in Military and Beyond

Not everyone can claim the experience of piloting an airplane or logging thousands of flight hours, but for 90-year-old John “Jack” Hansen of Lake Havasu City, it’s a remarkable reality. A veteran of the U.S. Navy Reserve, Hansen rose to the rank of lieutenant during his service, which began on September 10, 1954.

Initially trained in Pensacola, Florida, Hansen completed nearly two years of flight instruction before earning the title of “qualified fighter pilot.” He spent the next four years flying with an experimental squadron, journeying to far-flung destinations, including the icy expanses of Antarctica. Hansen was part of a mission during the International Geophysical Year, a project aimed at expanding scientific research on the continent, leading to the establishment of several bases.

Known as Operation Deep Freeze, this expedition was groundbreaking. Hansen recalls, “We made the first landings at the geographic South Pole, and now my airplane is in the Smithsonian.” The aircraft, named Que Sera Sera, is on display at Pensacola’s National Naval Aviation Museum after being restored by the prestigious institution.

After completing his active duty, Hansen continued to fly military air transports, further broadening his travels worldwide. His military journey lasted a total of 20 years, comprising 12 years of reserve commission service. In 1974, he officially retired from the Navy.

Simultaneously, Hansen embarked on a civilian flying career beginning in 1959 with a commercial airline. His passion for aviation culminated in his final retirement in 1994, allowing him to reflect on a long and fulfilling career. “I flew in both military and civilian sectors,” he stated, underscoring his lifelong commitment to aviation.

Hansen and his wife, Lois, moved to Havasu after his military tenure. Her role as a flight attendant enabled them to share countless flying adventures together. Reflecting on their journeys, Hansen credits his remarkable lifestyle to his dedication as a pilot.

Even after facing the inevitable challenges of flying, Hansen expresses gratitude for his experiences. “If something was tough, you just did your job,” he emphasized. With an impressive 30,000 hours of flight experience, Hansen confronted various aviation challenges, including an incident where he had to belly-land an aircraft due to landing gear failure.

Now in the twilight of his life, Hansen maintains an appreciation for the values he learned throughout his career. “If I had to do it all over again, I’d do it the same way,” he concluded. “I enjoyed every minute of it and I did a good job of it.”