In Memoriam: Judson Brohmer

Those words came from Judson Brohmer, one of the aviation photographers featured in our January 2000 photographer issue. Brohmer, a regular contributor to Code One, produced a gallery of artful air-to-air photos of the F-22 Raptor during his tenure at the F-22 Combined Test Force at Edwards AFB, California. This gifted photographer lost his life during an F-16 photo chase mission from Edwards on 17 July 2001. Everyone associated with Judson will miss his contributions, his talent, and his enthusiasm.

Letters On Judson Brohmer

Other Dimensions

I had the pleasure of flying with Judson Brohmer on many occasions. His enthusiasm for life was infectious. He always had a new idea for a different angle or a different aspect of the F-22 Raptor, and he almost always bubbled over describing what he wanted to capture. In the air, he would “nudge” the aircraft around, often saying something like, “Up five and drop the wing for me, “until he captured some marvelous image that, I swear, I never visualized until the film was developed.

But those aerial encounters were only part of the picture. I was touched by the rest of Judson’s story, which was shared at his memorial service in Tehachapi, California. Judson helped many young people turn their lives around. He also worked with an international oceanographic foundation and produced some marvelous undersea photography. These details added a new dimension to the man. He did more living in his short life than most of us ever will. I miss you, Judson.

Paul Metz
F-22 Chief Test Pilot
Edwards AFB, California

Always Prepared

I had the privilege to fly with Judson Brohmer on many flights in support of the F-22 program. Judson was very professional in every aspect of the job. He was a joy to fly with because he came prepared to get the job done and he always had a vision of the pictures he wanted to take. The picture on the cover of this issue of Code One is a perfect example: it is the result of Judson’s vision, planning, briefing, and patient execution. The detail, color, and sharpness of this image make it the finest aerial photograph I have ever seen. At times, it is hard to believe that such a photo could be taken. But I was there and I understand the effort that went into the picture. Judson produced literally hundreds of pictures and videos of this same outstanding quality. He envisioned pictures that most people don’t see, pictures that capture the business of fighter aircraft that words simply cannot. Judson was also a close friend. He will be missed.

Jon Beesley
LM Aeronautics
Fort Worth, Texas

Learning From Judson

On this day of national prayer and remembrance as I think about the victims of the terrorist attack on America and the families they left behind, I also think about the recent loss of Judson Brohmer. I had the distinct pleasure of knowing him as a good friend and as a colleague here at the F-22 CTF. His love for his family and for Jesus Christ and his zeal for life were contagious. He had many talents, but one in particular was aerial photography. The creativity and beauty in his photos speak for themselves. I recall many times sitting down with him after getting our film back from an aerial mission and discussing what might be a better way to get the shot. I learned a lot about aerial photography from Judson during those discussions, and I will always remember the lessons.

Judson loved to fly. He would often say that we fly with the best pilots in the world. I don’t think he ever considered aerial photography as work. He would talk about how he would see a shot in his mind and how much fun it was trying to capture that shot on film. Judson touched many lives. He certainly touched mine. I will remember him forever, and I know we will see each other again. May God bless him and hold close his family and the people he touched.

Kevin Robertson
F-22 Photo Team
Edwards A FB, California

Sky Paintings

Judson Brohmer isn’t going to stroll into my office any more with that contagious smile on his face and share his latest adventure in the skies. I will miss his optimistic outlook about everything. This gentle man could find the good in any circumstance.I had lunch with Judson on the golf course at Edwards AFB two days prior to his last and final mission. We were well into the usual subjects of cameras and airplanes when Judson told me he hadn’t experienced his usual anxiety during recent photo missions. Instead, he said he felt a real peace during, those flights. I don’t believe Judson had a premonition that he was going to die. I believe it was God’s love Judson was experiencing, as Judson was truly a man of God.

Judson was one of the most talented air-to-air photographers I’ve ever known. He was highly respected by his pilots and peers. When Judson shared a beautiful sunset shot with an F- 16 screaming upward through it, he commented to his wife, “Look at the beautiful sky God painted for me!” Judson also attributed his shots to the great pilots who flew him. He always wanted the photo credits to include the names of the pilots along with his own.

At Judson’s memorial service, one of the pilots remarked that he would not be able to fly through white puffy clouds, over snow-capped mountains, or along magnificent sunsets without hearing Judson say, “Could you dip your wing a little bit so I can capture this?

”When I think of Judson’s violent accident, I know he was spared that anxiety once again, feeling instead the peace of Gods arms wrapped around him as he went home.

Judson, we will miss you.

Denny Lombard
Lockheed Martin
Palmdale, California

Eternal Respect

You can’t publish anything about aviation without photography because words alone are simply not enough to convey the power of flight and the hold it has on our imaginations. Few machines invented by the human family are as inherently beautiful as aircraft, and, like cave painters, we have a primal need to capture the myriad moments of the spectacular that airplanes provide. Judson Brohmer knew this and tuned his eye to it. Sunsets, terrains, skies, geometries, either arranged or accidentally. He seemed to have an uncanny way of putting the airplane on a canvas differently and, well, beautifully. He has earned the eternal respect of his colleagues in photography and publishing and, whether they knew him by name or not, of millions of magazine readers.

George Larson, Editor
Air&Space Smithsonian
Washington, DC

Extraordinary Talent

As an aviation writer, text editor, and photo editor for a wide variety of aviation publications and an aviation photographer of great enthusiasm and modest skill, I have been privileged to work with a broad spectrum of talented and highly experienced aviation professionals. On rare occasions only, however, have I been exposed to a talent so superior to the majority of his peers as to lead me to believe that a new level of perfection had been discovered.

So it was in February of this year when I had the privilege of meeting Judson Brohmer at the first-ever International Symposium of Aviation Photography held at the American Airlines C.R. Smith Museum in Fort Worth, Texas. Judson’s work, which I viewed before we actually had the chance to shake hands, was so extraordinary that it took me a while to adjust to the fact I was seeing imagery that effectively was unknown to all but a select few who had worked with him at Lockheed Martin.

I have not forgotten my few hours discussing aviation photography with Judson in February. I quickly concluded that he was a remarkable, world-class talent and a true professional. I regret only that his legacy will now lie only with his extant, though nevertheless remarkable, image library. He had so much more he could have and should have-been able to contribute. His skills will be sorely missed.

Jay Miller
Seattle, Washington

Achieving Perfection

As colleagues, often working in the same flight test environment at Edwards AFB, I quickly realized the exceptional talent and motivation Judson Brohmer possessed. His enthusiasm towards his craft was evident in the perfection he sought in his photography. Judson achieved something few aviation photographers were capable of achieving: perfection and precision in a challenging and unforgiving environment.Although his nameless photographs were prominently used to promote the F-22 and the JSF aircraft, his peers around the globe realized only during a recent aviation photography symposium that he was behind the camera of some of aviation’s most recent achievements.Our thoughts and prayers go to his wife, Alessandra, and their three children.

Eric Schulzinger
Lockheed Martin
Bethesda, Maryland

Set Apart

It’s easy to pick out an F-22 photo that Judson Brohmer took. He had a style that set him apart from the rest of the aerial photographers. Judson’s work far exceeded the rest. Because of him, I tried harder every time I went up for a photo mission. I can remember him saying, “Always have a shooting list for the pilot, and try something new.” Judson made a huge mark in the world of photojournalism with his aerial ability. He will be greatly missed.

Andy Dunaway
USAF Photojournalist
Stars and Stripes

Inspiring Dreamers

What a sad situation and terrible loss. In talking with Judson Brohmer, I found him to be a truly gifted aerial photographer who loved what he did. He received great satisfaction knowing that his images not only cataloged important events and aircraft programs but also catalogued them in an inspiring manner. I understand he was “getting out of the business” to pursue other endeavors, such as underwater video. Knowing that makes this situation even worse. I hope that you can find a way to recognize his contributions to the Lockheed Martin programs he worked on, including the F-22 and F-117, and his greater contribution to the elite world of aerial photography.Judson’s images have inspired countless dreamers, myself included, to pursue careers in aviation or simply to raise the bar in the aerial photography world. He will truly be missed. My condolences go out to the family and friends of both flyers.

SSgt. Greg Davis
Base Photojournalist
Shaw AFB, South Carolina

Closer To Heaven

I was saddened by the untimely passing of Code One contributing photographer Judson Brohmer. His great aerial photography will certainly be missed. He died doing the job he loved. Now, he is much closer to Heaven. May God bless Judson Brohmer and Maj. Aaron George.

Vicente L. Guingao, Jr.
Yigo, Guam