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FORT NOVOSEL, Ala. - Seeing a helicopter land at Fort Novosel, Alabama is seldom a special event; after all, thousands of pilots are trained annually at the Army’s “home of aviation.” As one UH-60M Black Hawk helicopter descended on Tuesday, however, it held a truly special passenger – Col. Susan Fondy. When she jumped out of the helicopter and her tiny boots touched the helipad, it was an event to be celebrated as the surrounding crowd clapped and cheered. Upon completion of this, her vaunted final flight, Fondy had logged 1,170 flight hours and she would soon retire as one of only seven master flight surgeons in the U.S. Army.
The final flight tradition amongst military aviators consists of the crewmember being hosed down with water by their family, friends and peers upon completion of their final flight before retirement.
Some confusion may arise with Fondy as there is more to her than just her appearance. Standing barely above five feet tall, Fondy is petite but of significant substance. She wears the rank of a full-bird Colonel, a career Soldier who established a great reputation as a doctor who has flown over 400 combat hours during her four deployments.
Her career was “centered around where I was making a difference and working with amazing people,” Fondy said. “Hopefully, a little of that influence will carry over to the next generation.”
Clearly, Fondy has influenced those who follow her.
“She was a great mentor who taught me a lot when I was a resident in aviation medicine,” said Lt. Col. Sarah Snyder, an aeromedical research flight surgeon with the U.S. Army Aeromedical Research Laboratory.
Fondy was an established civilian physician when the world drastically changed on Sept. 11, 2001. Like many Americans, she felt the call to serve. She received a direct commission to the rank of Major when she entered active-duty service. After her initial military training was complete, she served at Fort Drum, New York, and deployed to Afghanistan. She completed the flight surgeon course while assigned to Fort Drum and found her passion for aerospace medicine.
She was next assigned to Fort Campbell, Kentucky, then Fort Liberty, North Carolina, deploying once each to Afghanistan and Iraq during these tours. Upon completion of the requirements for a second residency in aerospace medicine she was assigned to Fort Novosel where she volunteered for a fourth deployment to Afghanistan.
After a second assignment to Fort Liberty, she returned to Fort Novosel for a tour with USAARL. Fondy next served as the Chief Surgeon of the Army National Guard, covering the period of the COVID-19 pandemic. She concluded her career at Fort Novosel as the Senior Aeromedical Reviewer for the U.S. Army Aeromedical Activity. During this tour, she maintained a close relationship with USAARL and mentored new aerospace medicine residents at Lyster Army Health Clinic.
Fondy’s career success has been based in an overwhelming amount of personal education. Prior to entering active duty, she earned a bachelor’s degree and a medical doctorate, plus she earned a Master of Public Health degree while serving. She is currently pursuing another doctorate with the School of Defense and Strategic Studies at Missouri State University, which she will complete after her retirement.
She is active in professional organizations such as the Aerospace Medical Association, where she has served in multiple leadership roles. Fondy has authored numerous peer-reviewed publications.
She is an accomplished runner, having completed two marathons. In April, Fondy successfully tested for and achieved her fourth-degree black belt in taekwondo, attaining the rank of master.
She is a proven fighter on the battlefield, on a campus, on a running course and on a TKD mat. Another battle she fought and won was against cancer. Fondy described herself as an “overcomer.”
Looking at her professional and personal resume, Susan Fondy is an overachiever, a lot of intellect, skills and spunk in a slight person. Not to be underestimated, Fondy is of significant substance.
Retired Maj. Gen. Carl Reese will preside over Col. Fondy’s retirement ceremony at Lyster Army Health Clinic on July 12. She will retire to Frederick, Maryland, but do not count on this being her last challenge. There is a lot more for this warrior to overcome.
About USAARL
USAARL is a world-class organization of subject matter experts in the fields of operator health and performance in complex systems; the en route care environment; blunt, blast, and accelerative injury and protection; crew survival in rotary-wing aircraft and combat vehicles; and sensory performance, injury, and protection. USAARL engages in innovative research, development, test and evaluation activities to identify research gaps and inform requirements documents that contribute to future vertical lift, medical, aviation, and defense health capabilities. USAARL is a trusted agent for stakeholders, providing evidence-based solutions and operational practices that protect joint force warriors and enhance warfighter performance. USAARL invests in the next generation of scientists and engineers, research technicians, program managers, and administrative professionals by valuing and developing its people, implementing talent management principles, and engaging in educational outreach opportunities.
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