Classified Access — Clearance Required
Mako Willard
Endowment
Lt. Col. Dustin Willard · USAF U-2 Dragon Lady
Classified Access — Clearance Required
Lt. Col. Dustin Willard · USAF U-2 Dragon Lady
Lt. Col. Dustin "Mako" Willard · USAF
Honoring 20 years of elite military aviation by empowering the next generation of leaders. Join us in establishing the permanent Lt. Col. Dustin "Mako" Willard Scholarship Endowment at Cedar Rapids Kennedy High School.
True leadership is defined not just by what you achieve, but by who you uplift. The Lt. Col. Dustin "Mako" Willard Scholarship Endowment is a permanent financial fund established in official partnership with the Cedar Rapids Community Schools Foundation. Our mission is to raise a minimum of $25,000 to fully endow this scholarship in perpetuity. Once established, the annual investment yield will fund graduating seniors at Cedar Rapids Kennedy High School who demonstrate exceptional academic rigor, STEM focus, and leadership character.
For over two decades, Lieutenant Colonel Dustin R. Willard has operated at the absolute pinnacle of military aviation. Born and raised in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, and a proud graduate of Kennedy High School, Dustin's journey took him from the familiar classrooms of his hometown to the highest, most unforgiving altitudes of global defense. Commissioned as a Distinguished Graduate from the University of Iowa's ROTC Detachment 255, his career as an Air Force Command Pilot is a testament to an unwavering dedication to the mission. Logging over 3,000 flight hours—including more than 1,700 hours in active combat zones—he has piloted the supersonic B-1B Lancer bomber, commanded tactical MC-12W reconnaissance missions, and mastered the legendary U-2S Dragon Lady, soaring 70,000 feet above the earth in a specialized full-pressure suit. Operating under the callsign "Mako"—a nod to the ocean's fastest and most precise apex predator—Lieutenant Colonel Willard has deployed in support of Operations Enduring Freedom and Inherent Resolve, executing highly classified, nationally tasked missions across the globe.
April 9, 2026 · Beale Air Force Base, California
The "Fini Flight" is one of military aviation's most revered traditions, tracing its roots to the Army Air Forces in World War II. It marks an aviator's final departure from active service. At Beale Air Force Base, the Fini Flight of a Dragon Lady pilot is among the most elite ceremonies in all of aviation. Upon landing, the pilot is met by family, squadron mates, and base leadership — and traditionally doused with a fire hose and champagne. It is a moment of profound transition: the end of a mission that has spanned continents, decades, and altitudes that most humans will never reach.
Lt. Col. Willard's retirement coincides with the phased divestment of the U-2 Dragon Lady program itself, with full fleet retirement scheduled for 2026. His final flight is not just the close of a personal chapter — it marks the twilight of one of the most legendary aviation programs in military history. The endowment launch on April 9th transforms this moment of farewell into a permanent gift to the next generation, ensuring that a Cedar Rapids kid who touched the edge of space will forever inspire those who follow.
By contributing today, you are ensuring that decades from now, young students in Cedar Rapids will be inspired by the story of a local graduate who reached the edge of space — and who reached back down to help them soar.
Minimum 3.5 GPA. Honoring Willard's distinction as an engineering graduate and ROTC Distinguished Graduate from the University of Iowa.
Preference for students pursuing STEM degrees, aviation, or entering a collegiate ROTC program or federal military academy.
Demonstrated leadership in school activities, athletics, or community service — echoing the spirit of the Kennedy Cougars (Green & Gold).
// The CRCSF currently administers 80+ senior scholarships and will handle all selection, disbursement, and reporting.
Each tier is named in honor of the mission. Click any tier to pre-select it in the form below.
Funds textbook and supply stipends for incoming college freshmen.
Provides foundational tuition support for future engineers and leaders.
A precise tier honoring tail number 1085 recently retired at Beale AFB. Certificate of appreciation + campaign recognition.
A legacy-defining contribution that permanently anchors the endowment's corpus. Named co-benefactor status.
Thank you. Your legacy gift has been received.
An official tax receipt will be sent to your email address.
// You will receive confirmation from the Cedar Rapids Community Schools Foundation within 2 business days.