Christian D. Orr

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About Christian D. Orr

Christian D. Orr was previously Senior Defense Editor for 19FortyFive. He is a former Air Force Security Forces officer, Federal law enforcement officer, and private military contractor (with assignments worked in Iraq, the United Arab Emirates, Kosovo, Japan, Germany, and the Pentagon). Chris holds a B.A. in International Relations from the University of Southern California (USC) and an M.A. in Intelligence Studies (concentration in Terrorism Studies) from American Military University (AMU). He has also been published in The National Interest, Real Clear Defense, The Daily Torch and The Journal of Intelligence and Cyber Security. 

Why do you love aviation?

I first fell in love with aviation as a mere toddler, jet-setting around the globe wiith my parents due to my Dad's work in 17 different foreign coiuuntries as an economic consultant; I became especially fond of the Boeing 747, as I found its exterior to be so aesthetically pleasing. During this same timeframe I gained a fascination with warplanes from watching documentaries such as "World At War" and "Victory At Sea" as well as period military dramas such as "Black Sheep Squadron" (AKA "Baa Baa Black Sheep"). By age 5 I was already building plastic models of WWII and Veitnam War-era aircraft and voraciously devouring books such as David C. Cooke's "Fighter Planes That Made History." My love for aviation history only grew from there, and hit at even more intensified phase by the time I was in the 6th grade. The passion has stuck with me ever since.

What is your industry focus?

My industry focus is military aviation, as I developed this expertise via my 7 years of active-duty U.S. Air Force service (2 years enlisted, 5 years as a commissioned officer), specfically in tthe Security Forces and Air Battle Manager career fields. In addition, I gained relevant experience as a private military contractor (PMC) in Iraq, Germany, and the Pentagon; the last of my three Iraq contracts was in support of the Iraqi Air Force F-16 figher jet program and trhe Germany contract was in suport of U.S. Air Forces in Europe (USAFE). I also have an academic background in military affairs via by B.A. in International Relations from the University of Southern California (USC) and my M.A. in Intelligence Studies from American Military University (AMU), Not to mention I've been a military aviation history buff since age 5. 

What is your favourite aircraft and why?

Okay, that's a tie between (1) the Douglas SBD Dauntless dive bomber and (2) the B-52 Stratofortress strategic bomber.

I love the Dauntless because:
--Since I was a wee-bitty lad, I liked how the name rolled off the tongue, not to mention the moniker implies bravery in battle.
--I find the plane to be aesthetically pleasing, a physically beautiful airframe, and the U.S. Navy and Marine Corps paint schemes only served to enhance that beauty.
--The plane was a true game changer during WWII, turning the tide of the war in the Pacific Theatre of Operations, particularly during the Battle of Midway.
--Though not a fighter plane, she racked up a very respectable air-to-air gunnery score against enemy fighters.

I love the B-52 because:
--Nothing, but nothing, says "Don't mess with the US of A" quite like the "B.U.F.F." (Big Ugly Fat Fellow). 
--Just ike eith the word "Dauntless," I just like the way "B-52" rolls off the tongue.
--The "B.U.F.F." repeatedly proved her ability to inflict not only physical destruction, but psycholgical effects for good measure, against America's foes, whether the North Vietnamese and Viet Cong, Saddam Hussein's Republican Guard, or Slodoban Milosevic's Serbian troops.
--From a sentimental standpoint, when I was a young E-3/Airman 1st Class stationed at Minot AFB, North Dakota, I loved watching the B-52s take off and land.