Mat Garretson is a lifelong pilot and aviation supporter, and serves as the Print Historian for the Blue Angels Association. In addition, he serves as Editor in Chief of Publications for the Air Traffic Control Association (atca.org), and as Executive Director of both the Red River Valley Association (river-rats.org) and the A-7 Corsair II Association (corsair2.us). He is a lifetime member of the Tailhook Association, Association of Naval Aviation, and Naval Aviation Museum.
Mat has been writing professionally about Naval Aviation topics since 1980. In addition to his Blue Angels' book projects, Mat has written countless magazine articles over the years. 2021 saw the release of his book on the Vought A-7 "Corsair II" book for Schiffer Publishing's "Legends of Warfare" series. Schiffer has since contracted Mat to write three additional installments in this series...one book each on the Lockheed S-3 "Viking", Grumman EA-6B "Prowler", and the Sikorsky SH-60/MH-60 "Seahawk".
A longtime advocate for Naval Aviation, Garretson has served on committees for the Tailhook Association, and is a volunteer at the Naval Aviation Museum. His recognized passion and knowledge of carrier aviation lead to CONAC's VADM Kenneth Whitesell inviting Mat to serve on his committee supporting 2022's Centennial of the U.S. Aircraft Carrier celebrations around the nation.
When not flying, researching or writing, Mat enjoys travel, golf, cooking, cheering on the Georgia Bulldogs, and sleep. He divides his time between Eagan, MN and Pensacola, FL, with his wife, Amie, sons Jack and Thomas, and the family's Irish Wolfhounds, Fitz and Fergus.