Rochester Area Prayer Breakfast

The 44th Annual Rochester Area Prayer Breakfast is held in recognition of the National Day of Prayer, bringing together people of different backgrounds and affiliations for the betterment of the community, the state and the nation.

This year's featured speaker is Captain Brian Udell. Brian began flying at age nine, took his first cross-country flight at age ten, soloed at age 16, and received his Private Pilots Certificate at age 17.

Since that time, he has accumulated over 23,000 hours in a variety of both civil and military aircraft. In 1989, Brian was one of only 60 candidates selected to attend the elite Euro-NATO Joint Pilot Training program. He graduated number one in his class and was awarded the Air Training Command - Commanders Trophy.

Brian was among the initial group of Lieutenants selected to fly the F-15E Strike Eagle. He graduated from Strike Eagle training and received the top academic award with an overall average of 99.8%. Brian went on to his operational units where he became an Instructor, Mission Commander, and Air to Ground Top-Gun winner. He has flown over 100 combat missions in Southwest Asia and logged nearly 2000 hours in the Strike Eagle.

Brian received the Air Medal with 4 oak leaf clusters and the Aerial Achievement Medal with three oak leaf clusters for combat missions over Iraq. Brian’s military career spanned ten years. Brian left the Air Force in 1999 and he is currently a Captain with Southwest Airlines, a Competition Aerobatic and Back-country Pilot, and a Motivational and Inspirational Speaker.