Johnnie “Jet” Jones held a book signing at the Lake Blackshear Regional Library, March 1, for his book The Jet will Fly. Jones was an activist in the Americus Civil Rights movement at the age of 9. He became an Air Force pilot, and flew the C-130 Hercules.

Jones shared what it was like growing up during the Civil Rights Era in Americus. “Growing up during the Civil Rights movement made me sad and angry as I came to learn about how my people had been intentionally denied true freedom, equality and justice just because of our skin color. While attending Eastview Elementary School in the early 60’s, I vividly recall having to recite the pledge of allegiance clearly knowing that there wasn’t liberty and justice for all in America. It really disturbed me to know that at the same time, my people were marching in the streets for liberty and justice for all. But thanks to Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. urging us to be non-violent, I learned to channel my anger and frustrations into my ambition to become an Air Force pilot. My participation in at least one of the many civil rights marches and demonstrations when I was about 8 years old is etched into my memory and it is what made me get deeply involved in the NAACP to advocate for civil rights in Fayette County where I now reside.”

While the situation in Americus during the Civil Rights was turbulent, Americus’s involvement often goes under the radar. Jones told why he thought that was the case. “I believe that Americus civil rights history isn’t talked about because people tend to want to forget things that invoke shame. Nevertheless, it is imperative that projects like the restoration of the Old Colored Hospital be completed to let younger generations know about what happened in Americus. Furthermore, the Old Colored Hospital will hopefully be a part of a massive effort to inform visitors and local residents alike that Americus is a very special place with tremendous potential. My greatest hope is that we who migrated away will find creative ways to get people to move back there or come back periodically to celebrate our magnificent hometown. That would boost the Americus economy and support local businesses as well.”

Jones also talked about the major challenges he overcame to become an Air Force pilot. “The greatest challenges I had to becoming an Air Force pilot was passing the culturally biased and technical ladened Air Force Officer Qualifying Test (AFOQT) and getting past being told that I was not medically qualified to be an Air Force pilot. Thanks to my motto, “THE JET WILL FLY!”, I was able to find a way to pass the AFOQT and ignore the effort to medically disqualify me by a racist Air Force doctor who examined me at Robins AFB while I was in high school. I had gone to Robins AFB to take the AFOQT and a medical exam to try to qualify for a AFROTC scholarship. I had already been denied an appointment to the Air Force Academy. I overcame other challenges by enlisting in the Air Force after high school graduation which gave me the funds to attend Clark College (now Clark Atlanta University). It also gave me experience working with airplanes as I learned to be an aircraft mechanic and was stationed at Moody AFB in Valdosta, Georgia from 1972 to 1976. My service as an enlisted airman also allowed me to assist my ailing mother and to help provide for my son. Overall, my motto became the catalyst that propelled me to success and that is why I chose that name for my book.”

Jones has a message for kids today who have similar aspirations. “First, I would say read my book. With the proper mindset, nothing is out of reach. Most of all, believe in yourself. See yourself being whatever you want to be in your mind and do everything necessary to achieve your goals. Also, create a detailed plan, write it down and modify it as needed. Expect to have to overcome obstacles and acknowledge that obstacles are there to test you to see if what you are working towards is something you really want. For Black people, understand that racism is a fact of life in America and you must navigate around it just like pilots navigate around thunderstorms.”

For Jones, the effort has been worth it. He shared just what it meant for him to become an air force pilot. “I cannot overstate how much my service in the United States Air Force means to me. The Air Force seems like it was created just for me because I love just about everything about that branch of service. I started at the very bottom of the Air Force as an Airman Basic in 1972 and ended up serving as command C-130 pilot and retired as a Major in 1995. That foundation allowed me to become a career airline pilot at United Airlines where I retired on the magnificent Boeing 787 Dreamliner in 2019. The highlight of my airline career was flying trips to Ghana Africa where I visited the places where my African ancestors may have come from. That was indeed powerful!”

Jones described what it was like returning home for the book signing. “Returning to Americus always brings back fond memories of growing up there. Also, it was a blessing to see so many people I grew up with or knew between the late 50’s and decade of the 60’s. Readers of my book have been very appreciative and tell me how they like the life experiences and inspiration that I provide in my book. Plus, I have a rare kind of love and appreciation for Americus because I see so much potential there. My goal is to do everything I can to help my hometown thrive. I even hinted at returning an running for mayor to become the first Black mayor in Americus history.”