Meet, compete, honor, educate and motivate.
Warbird National will provide funding to airmen and veterans' charities through the operation of a world class golf course and air museum, combined into one experiential immersion. By example and through education in the CLAW, it will help develop generations of youth, prepared for lives in leadership.
Chairman and President, Jay Hedley, is a former US Air Force fighter pilot. Jay fought in several wars and flew over 250 combat missions in the A-10 Thunderbolt II, nicknamed the "Warthog". He had the vision to combine decommissioned fighter jets and a military golf course. The famous "aircraft boneyard" in Tucson would be the perfect backdrop to make the Warbird vision a reality.
In 2023, Warbird National Golf Course and Center for Learning and Winning Corporation (CLAW) was incorporated, and the IRS expedited the grant to a 501(c)3 status.
Rees Jones, one of the world's leading golf course designers, created the new layout for the course and integrated jets mounted on pedestals near each tee box. Situated near the base in the Sonoran Desert, the challenging 18-hole championship golf course will tip out at over 7,150 yards in length. It will offer stunning vistas of the Catalina Mountains as well as the jets mounted around the course.
"This is the most exciting golf course project in the country." Rees Jones
Our Team
Cesar "Rico" Rodriguez
Colonel Cesar A. Rodriguez, Jr. retired from the USAF on 1 December 2006. His last assignment was the 355th Mission Support Group Commander, Davis-Monthan AFB, Arizona. Upon his retirement from the USAF Mr. Rodriguez worked for Raytheon where his last position was the Vice President Middle East and North Africa Customer Requirements.
At present Mr. Rodriguez is not only a board member of Warbird National, but he is also the Chief Executive Officer, Splash Three LLC, a global defense consultant and the founder of the Splash3 Foundation, a Non-profit 501(c)3 community and Veteran charity champion for Southern Arizona.
"Rico" is a command pilot with more than 3,100 fighter flight hours, 350 of which are in combat operations DESERT STORM and ALLIED FORCE. In combat operations, Colonel Rodriguez has distinguished himself in aerial combat where he is credited with downing three enemy fighter aircraft, an Iraqi MiG-29, an Iraqi MiG-23 and a Yugoslavian Air Force MiG-29.
Splash 3!
Click the F-15 cockpit to learn more about Rico’s 3 MiG kills
Jay "Hedz" Hedley
Mr. Hedley retired from a long tenure of strategy, innovation and invention with Accenture where he last held the position of South Market Unit North America Digital Lead, a business he grew to $1.4 Billion in revenue, comprising 450 executives.
Number 1 of over 325,000 employees, Jay was named Accenture’s Inventor of the Year. In 2010 he won the company’s prestigious Ken Ernst Award for best strategic thinker in Global Management Consulting.
He also served our nation as a United States Fighter Pilot in US Air Force and the Maryland Air National Guard. He recently retired from flying the A-10C as a Lt. Colonel, logging over 3,000 hours of flying time, multiple combat tours, 250+ combat missions and was awarded the Air Medal 10 times.
Jay is a former and founding Board Member of Academics in Motion (AIM), which he named. AIM helps inner city kids in NYC achieve greater outcomes.
Mr. Hedley holds a BS in Industrial Engineering, a Master’s Degree in Aeronautical Science, summa cum laude, and his MBA from the Harvard Business School (where he was elected Senator of his Section).
He founded Warbird National as a unique way to combine two loves and to do it in a way that supports both the military/industrial base and most importantly, the American Airman and Veteran.
Click the cockpit to learn more about A-10 Close Air Support
James “JJ” Balaschak
Mr. Balaschak is a retired Deloitte Principal. He and his teams provided advisory services for Global Fortune 500 companies. With three decades of international experience, (including designing and building a golf course overseas) he worked closely with management and boards on strategy, financial advisory, M&A, and operational excellence. Prior to Deloitte as an executive with Teledyne, he led new market entry strategies for the corporation throughout the world.
Having served on over a dozen non-profit boards during his career, he brings invaluable leadership in governance models and principles, strategic planning, and financial management.
Mr. Balaschak is actively involved in amateur golf, as a member of the tournament committee or rules committee of major competitions through the year, and is a Board Member of the Southwestern Amateur. He is a USGA certified rules expert and volunteers for local and national events. He also is Senior golf course rater for Golf Week.
James is Board Member and Chief Financial Officer
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