NASA astronaut speaks at National Prayer Luncheon

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Benjamin Sutton
  • 366th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
MOUNTAIN HOME AIR FORCE BASE, Idaho --  The base's 2012 National Prayer Luncheon was held March 8 with the theme "Faith for the Final Frontier."

The luncheon's guest speaker was NASA astronaut and U.S. Air Force Col. Jim Dutton.

Dutton has logged more than 362 hours in space and was invited to speak at the luncheon by Col. Ron Buckley, 366th Fighter Wing commander.

His love of space and flying began at an early age.

"My dad was very interested in the Apollo space missions and even at an early age I remember being interested in flying in space," said Dutton. "In particular, I remember one night camping outside and just looking at the stars, how many there were and how far away they were and wouldn't it be awesome to go there and see them up close."

That event was one of the times in which Dutton remembers beginning to dream of being an astronaut.

"Camping with my dad and when I did a school report on how to become an astronaut were instances when I could feel myself being pulled down my path," said Dutton. "God has a purpose and a plan for all of us and sometimes we can see it in action."

The purpose of the National Prayer Luncheon is an annual public forum to seek divine guidance for our nation.

"Many Gunfighters are people who believe in God and believe that prayer is important," said Lt. Col. Dan Crawford, 366th FW chaplain. "Many Gunfighters are people of faith who believe prayer and God's assistance will make them better able to carry out the mission. This event gives them an opportunity to meet and be a part of a tradition of publicly divine guidance for our nation. "

The event is also an opportunity for Dutton to share how God's plan has affected his path and lead him through unique experiences throughout his career.

"There have been many testing times for me throughout the years," said Dutton. "I wasn't accepted into test pilot school at first. I had decided that I want to go in the direction God wants me to go instead of the one I wanted. Of course the path to being an astronaut is basically service academy, test pilot, then NASA."

Dutton made the decision to stand back and leave the outcome in God's hands.

"Everything inside me said to call NASA and explain the situation or call friends throughout the Air Force for help," said Dutton. "Instead, I prayed a lot about it and eventually received a call back that I was accepted. I was glad that I left it in God's hands. This was one opportunity where God working in my life became clear to me."

Dutton hopes his message helps his fellow Airmen who may be suffering or dealing with serious issues in their personal lives.

"Faith gives meaning to adversity," said Dutton. "Adversity is essential in how we grow as human beings and Airmen. Without faith in something, we become stagnant or self-focused. Faith has been my foundation and during times when things are not going the way I hoped or wanted."

He hopes his message appeals to all Gunfighters.

"I want Gunfighters to understand dreams are like a vector that points you," said Dutton. "But it may be that you were meant to go another way and so God redirects you toward the way he intends you to go and you just have to trust him."