Have you ever been outside when suddenly you hear that sound? The sound that makes you look to the skies and wonder where they’re going. That sound being the sound of aircrafts from the Little Rock Air Force Base in Jacksonville . One Searcy man knows exactly where most of those planes are going and more than likely has already been there. Tech Sgt. Delven Brown is a Jet Engine Mechanic for the LRAFB and has had his share of experiences in the force.

Brown’s father and two uncles all served with the air force for a number of years which allowed Delven to experience the military life at an early age. Growing up in a military home meant moving a lot; Sgt. Brown called many places his home including Texas , Alaska , and eventually North Dakota , where he played baseball for the University of North Dakota Fighting Sioux . But in 1988 instead of going pro, Brown followed in his family footsteps and joined the Air Force. “I joined because I needed a job” says Brown, but the job he chose would lead him all around the world and put him in the middle of some of the most important parts of his generation’s history.

Stationed previously in Iceland and now at the LRAFB in Jacksonville, Brown has served TDA (temporary duty assignments) in England, Italy, France, Germany, Greece, and the Middle East just to name a few. Deployed during both Desert Storm and Operation Iraqi Freedom, Brown was a part of the capture of infamous Iraqi dictator Saddam Hussein, helping to launch the aircraft that carried him into custody in the US . Brown also experienced combat in Iraq , undergoing mortar fire while working on jet engines during his tour in the Middle East.

Brown moved to Searcy a year and a half ago, and continues to work at the LRAFB on jet engines. He lives here with his wife and kids, and is the currently the last of his family left in the military. His father and uncles have retired and his younger brother served but was injured and released from his duties. Brown states that “his job isn’t that exciting” but if you were to ask me, any job where protecting the people of America is on your “to-do” list every day, is a job that deserves respect.