Michael Brown was born and raised in Erie, Pennsylvania, and graduated from McDowell High School in 1982. Mike attended the University of Pittsburgh at Johnstown and graduated with a degree in Mechanical Engineering in 1986. Upon graduation, he joined the USAF and was commissioned as a 2nd Lt in 1987. He completed Officer Training School at Lackland AFB, TX. He then attended Specialized Undergraduate Navigator training at Mather AFB, CA, and was assigned to fly the C 141 as an airdrop navigator at Charleston AFB, SC. In 1990, Mike was accepted to and attended Undergraduate Pilot training at Laughlin AFB, TX. Upon graduation in 1991, he was assigned to fly the KC-10 tanker at Seymour Johnson AFB, NC. In 1994, he moved to McGuire AFB, NJ, where he continued to fly the KC-10 on active duty for the next 5 years. In 1999, he separated from active duty and joined the USAF Reserves at McGuire. AFB.
He continued his career in the reserves for the next 12 years. He was flying the KC-10 and serving as Chief of Training, Chief of Standardization/Evaluation, Assistant Operations Officer, and finally Chief Pilot. He is a veteran of Operation Restore Hope (Somalia), Operation Southern Watch (Iraq), Operation Enduring Freedom (Afghanistan), and Operation Iraqi Freedom. He is a Command Pilot with over 500 hours of combat time and 5000 hours of total time flying. His decorations include the Air Medal, Meritorious Service Medal, Commendation Medal, and the Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal. He is currently employed as a pilot by American Airlines and resides in Milford Pa with his wife of 25 years, Victoria, and his sons, Aaron and Alec.