Their Story
Remembering Steven C. Beaulieu.
Maj Steven C. Beaulieu, 31, Deputy Chief of Wing Tactics, Evaluator Pilot, KC-135R Formal Training Unit, 54th Air Refueling Squadron, 97th Operations Group, 97th Air Mobility Wing, Altus AFB, OK, lost his life February 11th, 2018 when a truck hit his bike during a training run in preparation for his third triathlon.
Maj Beaulieu graduated from USAFA, Cadet Squadron 5, in 2009 and was assigned to Laughlin AFB for his pilot training. Upon completion, he went to RAF Mildenhall, UK, where from January 2012-September 2015 he served as Executive Officer, KC-135R/T Copilot, among other duties, at the 351st Air Refueling Squadron.
Transferred to Altus AFB, OK, in 2015, Maj Beaulieu served in various capacities; at the time of his death, he was the 97th Air Mobility Wing Weapons and Tactics Assistant Flight Commander and Assistant Director of Operations at the 54th Air Refueling Squadron at Altus.
Known for his acumen as a pilot, Maj Beaulieu attended the rigorous USAF Weapons Instructor Course, graduating in December 2017, earning the prestigious Academic Award and receiving the highest recommendation to return and instruct at the Weapons School.
Maj Beaulieu’s awards include: The Air Medal for Meritorious Achievement; the Air Force Commendation Medal and the Joint Service Commendation Medal for exceptionally meritorious service, providing close air support and reconnaissance support for Exercises Judicious Response, Alligator Dagger and Operation Oaken Steel conducted by US forces in East Africa.
Steve was an exceptional young man. He loved sports, cheering loudly for his high school Trinity Trojans football team during their playoff runs and playing goalie for his high school ice hockey team. His enthusiasm for high school band translated to Drum and Bugle Corps at USAFA, and he was Commander his 1st-degree year.
His high school peers looked to him as a leader, and the litany of leadership positions during his high school career bear witness to that fact.
Steve leaves behind his beloved wife Jess, Lt. Col. Jessica Lotridge, MD (USAFA 2002), currently in Washington, DC, his parents Walt and Faye Beaulieu in Bedford, TX, and sisters Aimee (Frankfurt, Germany), Carla (Coppell, TX) and Caryn (Bethesda, MD).
Those who knew Steve knew his seriousness when the moment demanded it, as well as his ability to lighten the mood when appropriate. A fellow pilot recalled her last memory of him, the Friday before his death, hearing him laughing and talking with his students in the hall. He left a legacy in those who learned to fly under his instruction, and in those who learned to live with courage and integrity as a result of his leadership.
These contributions will provide assistance via proven organizations in the community Steve called home.