Capt. Lyndsey Goodman performs to the military and Alaskan crowd at the Alaska’s Operation Gratitude concert June 27 at Elmendorf Air Force Base, Alaska. The concert was a part of Alaska’s 50 years of statehood celebration. Captain Goodman is with the 317th Airlift Squadron and was a contestant on American Idol. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Jonathan Steffen)
From January 2008-
C-17 pilot auditions for ‘American Idol’
A C-17 Globemaster III pilot with the 317th Airlift Squadron at Charleston Air Force Base recently lived out one of her dreams — to audition for “American Idol.”
Capt. Lyndsey Goodman, a Reserve pilot who has flown the half-million pound airlifter into combat zones in Iraq and Afghanistan, also sings at local nightclubs.
“I wanted to try out for ‘American Idol’ because I have been singing since I was a little girl, but I have been flying most of my adult life so I never really had the opportunity to go out and audition for something like this,” Captain Goodman said. “When I found out they were coming to Charleston, I thought I should give it a shot.”
The captain already has a career handling America’s premier airlifter, but her passion for singing gave her the chance to sing for America’s toughest, and most popular judges — Randy Jackson, Paula Abdul and Simon Cowell.
“Auditioning in front of Randy, Paula and Simon, I was probably more nervous than I have been in my entire life,” the captain said. “It was really hard to concentrate because of all the cameras. It was a lot tougher than any check ride I have ever had.”
Captain Goodman is one of only two military contestants featured on the show this season, according to “American Idol” producers. After the audition process, she was eliminated by Mr. Cowell, who said he liked her singing but jazz might not be the right format for the show.
“Not making it to L.A. was a little disappointing, but I will still be flying with the Air Force Reserve,” Captain Goodman said.
by Capt. Wayne Capps
315th Airlift Wing Public Affairs
