In 1965, the Navy conducted their last pilot training class without a college degree necessary for the cadet. Jim "Nomad" Lawrence was in that class; he was 19 yrs old, already with over 1400 hours behind the controls of civilian aircraft. He soloed at age 16.

Thus began a lifelong career and love of aviation, and war: 432 combat missions in North Vietnam-South Vietnam-Laos. Total combat missions: 608 in Vietnam-Bosnia-Iraq-Afghanistan. In war and peace: 7,700 hours in single-seat fighters.

Total hours to date in aviation: 41,250