U.S. Air Force pilots Col. Rick “McGraw” Mitchell (left) and Lt. Col. Joshua “NOMAR” Geidel (right), who are SIU alumni, will fly over the Military Appreciation football game in A-10 “Warthogs” like the aircraft in the photo above. The football game is on Saturday, Nov. 14, starting at 1 p.m. when the Salukis take on South Dakota State. (Photo provided).
November 09, 2026
U.S. Air Force pilots to fly over SIU Military Appreciation football game
CARBONDALE, Ill. — Saluki fans at the upcoming Military Appreciation football game will have their eyes to the sky as two U.S. Air Force A-10 “Warthog” pilots, who are Southern Illinois University Carbondale alumni, will fly over Saluki Stadium as a salute to service for our nation’s veterans and active-duty military.
Col. Rick “McGraw” Mitchell and Lt. Col. Joshua “NOMAR” Geidel are excited to return to their alma mater for this honor. The football game on Saturday, Nov. 14, also recognizes SIU Army ROTC and celebrates the 75th anniversary of SIU Air Force ROTC (AFROTC) Detachment 205. The football game starts at 1 p.m., and the A-10 flyover is expected to follow the national anthem.
Col. Rick “McGraw” Mitchell
Mitchell is the commander of the 442d Fighter Wing at Whiteman Air Force Base, Missouri, and oversees the manning, training, equipping and the overall combat readiness of 1,300 Air Force reservists — a responsibility that his time in AFROTC Detachment 205 helped prepare him for.
While he described the first two years of AFROTC as an introduction to military ways, Mitchell said his junior and senior years came with additional duties that taught him life lessons.
“I’ll never forget Col. Phil Miller calling me in my senior year and wanting to know how and why a freshman cadet had gotten in a bit of trouble,” said Mitchell, who grew up in Steeleville, Illinois. “I was the cadet wing commander, so his point was it was on me to ensure all cadets were trained and ready for the college lifestyle and how personal accountability was paramount.”
Like many students, he enjoyed some SIU traditions — cheering on the football team, grabbing a slice of pizza at Quatro’s and ending an evening with friends at Sidetracks. But then, came a defining moment that changed America forever — the Sept. 11 terror attacks in New York City; Shanksville, Pennsylvania; and Washington, D.C. that claimed the lives of 2,977 victims. This solidified Mitchell’s choice to join the AFROTC and shaped his future as an Air Force pilot.
“Unfortunately, my most poignant memory though was watching 9/11/2001 happen in real time there in our apartment on Mill Street,” Mitchell said. “As a senior at the time, and three of the four of us being in the ROTC programs, we all knew our lives and military careers just changed dramatically.”
After earning his bachelor’s degree in management, Mitchell entered into the Air Force in 2002 and spent the next two years earning his wings. Over the course of his active-duty career, Mitchell served more than 22 years as an operational A-10C evaluator pilot, experienced the operational level of war from his time in the Pacific Air Force, and still found the time to earn a master’s degree in human relations.
Overall, he has more than 3,700 flight hours with six combat tours to the CENTCOM area of responsibility —— an area spanning more than 4 million square miles across the Middle East, Central Asia, South Asia, and Northeast Africa, encompassing 21 nations. Mitchell joined the Air Force Reserve in 2014 and worked his way up to his current position. He has earned 18 major awards and decorations for his service, including the Bronze Star Medal.
The flyover marks Mitchell’s first time back to SIU in an official capacity, and he looks forward to motivating and inspiring past and present Salukis.
It means a whole lot to be able to “give back” to the aviation students, the aspiring cadets, and the Southern Illinois region as a whole,” he said. “I’ve had a blessed and fruitful life and a life spent serving and sacrificing for the greater, good means something.”
Lt. Col. Joshua Geidel
Also serving at the Whiteman Air Force Base, Geidel is commander of the 442d Operations Support Squadron. He entered service in the U.S. Air Force in May 2007 through AFROTC Detachment 205, earning a bachelor’s degree in aviation management. Like Mitchell, Geidel credits the AFROTC program for shaping his time on campus and military career, making this visit back to campus especially meaningful.
“SIU and my time in AFROTC Detachment 205 are where my military and flying career all began,” said Geidel who later went on to earn his master’s in aviation safety. “It is quite unique to be able to come back and give back to the organizations that helped facilitate my career.”
Geidel has held various positions through three operational assignments at Spangdahlem Air Force Base, Germany; Moody Air Force Base, Georgia; and Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, Arizona. In addition, he served multiple combat deployments, including Operation Enduring Freedom, Operation Inherent Resolve, and Operation Freedom Sentinel as well as a non-combat deployment for Operation Atlantic Resolve. Geidel joined the Air Force Reserve in 2020 where he currently serves.
Over the course of his military career, Geidel has participated in countless flyovers for sporting events, holidays, memorials and air shows. He hopes flyovers allow audience members to remember a loved one who served the country, inspires the younger generation to consider enlisting, and reminds civilians of the sacrifices made by our armed forces.
“A very small percentage of our nation’s population decides to participate in military service,” he said. “It’s important for our citizens to be aware of what we are asked to do and actively participate in our communities.”
Other football military appreciation events
The SIU Alumni Association and SIU Foundation invite military veterans, alumni, ROTC students and their guests to a complimentary Military Appreciation Breakfast on Saturday, Nov. 14, from 9 to 11 a.m. at the Tedrick Welcome Center on the Southern Illinois University Carbondale campus.
The breakfast will feature special guest speaker retired U.S. Army Col. Greg Gadson, a decorated combat veteran, nationally recognized leadership speaker, Wounded Warrior advocate and former commander of Fort Belvoir. Gadson served more than 25 years in the U.S. Army and participated in Operations Desert Storm, Enduring Freedom and Iraqi Freedom.
The breakfast is free, but registration is encouraged here.
Meanwhile, a free concert by the band Murphy 500 kicks off tailgating festivities at 10:45 a.m. The band will be set up in the tailgate area just to the south of Saluki Stadium. In addition, six food trucks will be on-site with food available for purchase.
During halftime, SIU alumnus Brig. Gen. Leonard Williams, assistant adjutant general-Army and commander of the Illinois Army National Guard, will conduct a swearing-in ceremony for dozens of local recruits entering the U.S. Army, U.S. Air Force and U.S. Navy. In addition, the Marching Salukis will entertain the crowd with the Armed Force Salute. Throughout the game, fallen heroes and their Gold Star families will be recognized.
Entry to the football game is free for active-duty military members and veterans, who can bring an unlimited number of guests at a ticket price of $10 each. Those accommodations can be made here.