Finding purpose after the military

Our nation’s veterans have each, in their own ways, had an extraordinary impact on our country’s security and the protection of its citizens and freedom. After leaving the military, they return to civilian life, but the character that was honed in the military remains. 

From Air National Guard to quality engineer and flightline technician

Two such individuals are brothers Nolan and Chase White, who work at Airbus Helicopters facility in Columbus, MS. They are not alone. Thirty percent of the workforce at this facility are veterans and active duty military.

Nolan, age 26, is a Quality Engineer who interned at the plant while a student at Mississippi State University. His supervisors took note of his dedication and strong work ethic, and he was offered a full time position with the company upon graduation in 2023. He is also a proud Mississippi Air National Guard veteran. After his involvement in Junior ROTC in high school, Nolan enlisted with the Guard at the age of 17 to do maintenance of electrical and environmental systems. His seven years of service included a tour in Afghanistan in 2019.

His younger brother, Chase, joined the Mississippi Air National Guard in 2022 upon graduating from high school. He is currently attached to the Meridian, MS, unit, working in the areas of fueling systems and aircraft maintenance. The 21-year-old drills with the unit one weekend every month and also for two weeks at annual training. He has been a Flightline Technician at Airbus Helicopters since July last year.

Applying military values to the H145 assembly line

They were first introduced to the idea of working at Airbus through their father, Keith White, who served as the Fire Chief at Golden Triangle Regional Airport. In that position, he regularly met with airport tenant Airbus to maintain good lines of communication in safety related matters.

“My dad was always talking about what a cool place it was and how clean it was,” shares Nolan. “And now, he’s working here too.” Keith retired after a nearly 29 year career as a firefighter. He worked not only at the airport but also previously at the West Point, MS, fire department.

“When I got ready to retire, I started thinking about what to do next, and Airbus was at the top of my list,” says Keith, who now works as an Aircraft Electrical Technician on the H145 assembly line.

In talking with this family, it’s evident they believe strongly in serving something greater than themselves.

“Our parents instilled the value of integrity in us – doing what’s right when no one is looking,” relates Nolan. “Putting service above self and striving for excellence in all we Do.” “Basically, the Air Force’s core values,” adds Chase with a smile. “We were raised in church and raised to stand up for our country.”

Keith, a living example of serving others, says, “I’m extremely proud of both of them. Their military pictures are on the mantel at our home. I even teared up at their basic training graduations at the end of the Airmen’s Run.” “My dad was a first responder,” says Nolan. “I saw what he did. If there was a problem, he immediately took action. That’s a big part of what drew me to the military – serving something bigger than myself.”

Building helicopters that protect communities

All three of the family appreciate that through their work at Airbus they can continue to help others. “I worked on the wire harnesses for a couple of helicopters a while back and wondered who the aircraft were being delivered to,” says Keith. “It was gratifying to find out that the Hawaii Fire Department would be using them to save people’s lives.”

Nolan adds, “I was watching the news several weeks ago and saw a helicopter that we had just delivered airlifting a police officer who had been shot to take him to the hospital. What we do really makes a difference.”

The three men enjoy the camaraderie of working together although they do confess to making their wives and fiancée a little crazy with all the “shop talk” around the Sunday dinner table.

Keith admits to having been a little nervous the first time Chase took a test flight on an aircraft he had wired. Chase, though, was confident, knowing that his father had worked on it with his unyielding standards. “You can’t even touch one of these aircraft if you don’t have the highest integrity,” he says. “All the aircraft Dad work on, end up here with me on the flightline.” “And they all pass through me as part of the Quality team,” adds Nolan.

These men are heartened that they have found a family oriented, military friendly work environment at Airbus.

“One of the things I like best about Airbus is the people,” states Nolan. “There are a lot of prior military members. The different branches like to joke around and give each other a hard time, but it makes you proud to work here.” Chase agrees, “It’s a very patriotic work environment. It feels like a team.”

This close knit family has found a place where they can utilize their talents and feel a sense of purpose. “I remember when I was the fire chief, the Army landed one of their Lakotas at the airport,” shares Keith. “I took a picture and posted to social media, ‘This aircraft was made by the fine folks at Airbus, and I will work there one day.”

These humble family men who believe in honor and selfless service to their country and community have found a workplace where their values can be lived out on a daily basis – where the products they make save lives and keep Americans safe every day.