Pardew of Reno, Nev. began writing in 1994 while working at the local newspaper, focusing primarily on feature and human-interest stories. Her aviation related material has been seen in various publications and websites including Aerotech News, based in Lancaster, Calif., which caters primarily to the Aerospace and Defense Industry. Pardew is the staff writer for the Aviation Nation Foundation and her material has been published in the award winning Aviation Nation Collector’s magazine. “I feel privileged to be working with the Aviation Nation team, which is responsible for sponsorships, marketing, media, VIP hospitality and production of Aviation Nation-The Nellis Air Force Base Las Vegas Air Show.

To be part of something of this magnitude that honors our veterans and shows the public America’s Airpower is very close to my heart,” Pardew says.

“It is very important to me to honor our service men and women. Every time I meet a veteran, I take the time to express my gratitude for the sacrifices they have made for us. Aviation Nation is the perfect opportunity for all of us to shake the hand of a veteran and thank them.” She’s also a freelance writer for Rolls-Royce North America and the National Aviation Heritage Invitational project. Most of her writing focuses on the ‘people’ side of aviation. “The aviation community is filled with many dedicated and interesting people and they all have a great story to tell,” she says.

Although she never served in the military, she is very appreciative of persons past and present that serve their country, especially those who worked in secret during the Cold War years. She feels it’s important that their story be told.

Pardew was just a child when most of the Roadrunners were working behind the scenes in obscurity, protecting our freedom. "Most people don’t realize what was going on during those times," she said. "Little did we know that mysterious BlackBirds were nested in the Nevada desert and a group of committed individuals were devoted to such a project. I feel very privileged to know these individuals and am grateful for their service and dedication."

Connie dedicates a lot of her time interviewing and writing about those who served during the Cold War. “Most of these individuals protected our country without our knowledge-developing, testing and flying missions in secret. It’s vital that theirs and those of other veterans be told. We need to keep their history alive.”

There’s been a lot written about the technical components of the program, thus, she wants to show people what it was like to actually live through, and be part of such an important part of our history.Connie treasures her friendships with those such as TD Barnes, Frank Murray, Roger Andersen, Dick Roussell and Tony Bevacqua as well as people such as aerospace archeologist and author Pete Merlin and Dreamland Resort Webmaster, Joerg Arnu.

Her daughter, Gina has have acquired some of the same interests. Gina is probably the only 11-year-old girl that knows most of the dialogue to the movie, “The Right Stuff” by heart. Michael is 18 and plans to join the armed forces-either the Air Force or the Navy.
Pardew’s full time occupation is with Southwest Airlines. She decided life was too short to be fixed in a newspaper office and opted to change in mid-stream. The flexibility of working at Southwest affords her the opportunity to freelance and use her ‘off’ time to travel to aviation related events.

Area 51 Special Projects

Roadrunners Internationale

Aviation Nation