Gunnar Buzzard is the President and CEO of Systems Integration Plus, Inc., headquartered in Scottsdale, Arizona. SIP is an engineering and technology company that designs rugged computer, radar and electronic systems for the defense, aerospace and heavy industrial markets.
Prior to founding SIP, Inc. Gunnar was both a Naval Aviator (active duty) and Air Force Senior Command Pilot (Arizona Air National Guard.) Both his Navy and Air Force flying includes titles of instructor pilot, NATOPS/Standardization Pilot, Navy Landing Signal Officer and Weapons School instructor. He has over 300 carrier arrested landings on USS Ranger, USS Lincoln and USS Nimitz.
Gunnar's active duty and reserve aviation career spans 23 years of Navy and Air Force direct combat flying operations, electronic warfare, exploitation of foreign weapon systems, global rescue/medical missions and combat aerial refueling in support of Operation Desert Storm, Kosovo, Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom. A graduate of the U.S. Naval Academy he holds numerous military awards, honors and decorations. Gunnar holds the rank of Lt Col, USAF (ANG), retired.
Giving back to the Arizona/Scottsdale community, Gunnar is the former two time Chairman and commissioner of the Scottsdale Airport Advisory Commission. Furthering that effort he is currently Executive Vice President of the Thunderbird Field II Veterans Memorial Inc. (TB2), a 501(C) (3)
organization whose mission is to commemorate the history of the Scottsdale airport, honor all veterans, provide scholarships to Arizona students interested in aviation careers and recently entered a financial and support relationship with Dogs4Vets, a non-profit dedicated to enabling disabled Veterans to live a more productive life through the use of service dogs.
Gunnar resides in Scottsdale, AZ with his wife Wendy.
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Thunderbird Field II was built in 1942 for the sole purpose of training WWII Army Air Corp pilots. Over 5,500 pilots were trained at Thunderbird Field II between 1942 and October 16, 1944, when the school was deactivated. Many of these young aviators saw military action in Europe and the Pacific. Learn about the history of the 3 Thunderbird Fields, current Scottsdale airport operations, and the Thunderbird Field II Veterans Memorial.
The Thunderbird Field II Plaza at the entrance to the new Scottsdale Airport terminal, business center and restaurant will include a monument with information on Thunderbird Field II and its military history. The Plaza’s centerpiece will be a Stearman PT-17, the aircraft used for training at Thunderbird Field II. The service plaques for all of our armed services as well as the revered POW-MIA plaque will be on permanent display.
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