Flight Radio Operator | The Steady Heart
Based on the author’s grandfather, Paul is a calm, faithful presence among the crew. A former United Airlines radio operator turned Air Transport Command flight radio operator, Paul is newly married and committed to serving well—both in the sky and at home. Known for his warm grin and measured personality, Paul is the heart of the crew.

He loves flying, and he loves working with the radio—his role in the Air Transport Command is a perfect fit. But that service comes at a cost: Long weeks away from the woman he loves, flying missions across the vast Pacific Ocean during WWII.

Wife | Teletype Operator | The Anchor Back Home
Based on the author’s grandmother, Alta is strong, grounded, and full of quiet resolve. A teletype operator for United Air Lines, she plays her part in the war effort from the home front, processing urgent wartime messages and carrying the emotional weight of what she reads.

Though separated by thousands of miles, Alta remains deeply connected to Paul—through her unwavering faith and the heartfelt letters they exchange across the Pacific. Her subtle wit, steady sense of purpose, and deep emotional resilience carry her through the long stretches of waiting.

Alta longs for peace, family life, and a future together—but she is far from passive. Her courage is quieter than the roar of engines or the rush of flight, but no less powerful. In many ways, she is the heart of the story—the steady rhythm of home that gives Paul his reason to keep flying.

Co-Pilot | The Loyal Friend
Raised on a Colorado Quarter Horse ranch, Joe is more at home in a saddle than a cockpit—but he’s a skilled and dedicated pilot nonetheless. With sun-bleached hair and a disarming grin, he brings an easygoing confidence to every room he walks into.

Nicknamed “Cowboy” by the crew, Joe becomes Paul’s closest friend and spiritual brother-in-arms. Beneath the humor and warmth is a man deeply committed—to the mission, to his friends, and to the quiet faith that keeps him grounded through war and distance.

Joe’s loyalty, wit, and unshakable presence make him a steadying force within the crew—a reminder that courage comes in many forms. But behind that confident exterior, he must come to terms with his own past and the loss of he has suffered, a grief that still echoes beneath the surface.

Next up: Meet Charlie “Chuck” Carter