Cyclist & Pilot Mitch Hoke ’06 Serves Others from the Air

In January 2025, Mitch Hoke ‘06 made the news fighting the Los Angeles wildfires from the cockpit of a C-130 Hercules turboprop. He and a crew of five repeatedly maneuvered the 140,000 pound plane over the fire at 150 mph as low as 150 feet  above the ground. Flying like that takes focus, discipline, and lots of training. Mitch credits CRMS with formative experiences, training habits, and a work ethic that became building blocks for success in pro cycling and as a C-130 pilot with the Wyoming Air National Guard. 

CRMS was the perfect place to nurture his love for outdoor activities while trying new things. “I had never backpacked before,” Mitch recalls. “I camped a lot, but never backpacking. That was definitely a big thing that I really appreciate now.” He also credits the school with introducing him to Nordic skiing, which he continued after graduation.

Mitch’s passion for mountain biking flourished at CRMS under the guidance of faculty members Andrew Gardner and Sam Damon. “There was always mountain biking as an afternoon sport,” Mitch explains. “Then there was a bunch of us that wanted to keep pursuing it, so we started doing the five-day-a-week team thing. Andrew drove us out to the first bike race I ever did in Fruita, Colorado. It was really the beginning of my drive to want to race bikes.” That drive led Mitch to Colorado College, where he continued racing while earning his degree. He eventually competed professionally, representing the United States at the World Championships and Pan-American Championships.

When his competitive cycling days began winding down, Mitch turned his attention skyward. “Flying was definitely a childhood dream of mine. My dad and I would go out and fly remote control planes. I was always building model airplanes or paper airplanes, or just looking up in the sky,” he shares. Starting with his private pilot license, Mitch eventually joined the Wyoming Air National Guard, where he now flies C-130 aircraft. He participates in firefighting missions, something particularly meaningful for someone from Colorado. “We don’t have hurricanes or tornadoes. Forest fires are the big threat. Getting to be a small part of that battle is super cool.”

Today, as a C-130 pilot and instructor, Mitch flies missions ranging from firefighting to search and rescue, and has served in global hot spots including Iraq, Kuwait, Syria, and other regions. His versatile aircraft can transport cargo, evacuate medical patients, or drop paratroopers depending on the mission. When Mitch helped drop fire retardant, he describes the intensity of the moment: “I don’t take a lot of things very seriously in life. I really try to enjoy everything and have a good time, but that’s one of those times where I kind of just lock in and I’m very, very serious and very focused.”

Reflecting on his CRMS experience, Mitch emphasizes the privilege and perspective he gained. “Remember that privilege and just appreciate that zillions of people who would give up everything to do what you do, to get that opportunity to be sitting in Western Civ and then go out and go skiing in the afternoon. It’s just unreal, amazing, and just enjoy it and be thankful for it.” His advice to current students balances ambition with gratitude: “You want to work hard for all your goals and everything that you want to do, but ultimately, whatever happens, just try to enjoy it.”