In a story of resilience and determination, F-22 Raptor instructor pilot and UPS 747 first officer, Lt. Col. John Deloney, completed his final flight on the F-22 Raptor on December 3, 2022, marking the end of an era after a courageous battle with cancer. Throughout his distinguished career, John Deloney accumulated over 2200 flying hours, an achievement that speaks volumes about his dedication and skill as a pilot.
The Unexpected Diagnosis
The journey took an unforeseen turn in 2021 when John Deloney began experiencing unexplained physical changes, including swelling in his face, legs, and the enlargement of several lymph nodes. Seeking medical advice, initial blood tests and urinalysis yielded no conclusive results. However, a subsequent CT scan revealed a more concerning picture: at least ten enlarged lymph nodes. This led to a biopsy in late December 2021, which delivered the life-altering news.
“It came back a week later as positive for B-cell lymphoma,” John Deloney recounted. “From there, we were off to the races as to how to kill the cancer.” The diagnosis was Stage 4, Grade 1-2 follicular Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma, delivered in January 2022.
John Deloney and his wife faced the news with disbelief. As someone who prioritized a healthy lifestyle and physical fitness, the diagnosis was particularly shocking. “I live a very healthy lifestyle and try to stay in shape, but obviously cancer gets a vote,” Deloney stated. The emotional impact was immediate and profound, encompassing fear, sadness, anger, and ultimately, a powerful resolve to overcome the disease. John Deloney emphasizes that “The emotional and mental side of having cancer is the most difficult, at least from my experience.”
Grounded But Not Defeated: A Pilot’s Mental Fortitude
The cancer diagnosis meant John Deloney was immediately prohibited from flying the F-22. This was a significant blow for a pilot who had dedicated 19 years to aviation. From a young age, John Deloney dreamed of flying the F-15C, a dream he realized for 3.5 years before transitioning to the F-22 Raptor for an impressive 13.5 years. Flying was not just a job; it was a lifelong ambition fulfilled.
However, the mental discipline honed through years of fighter pilot training became an unexpected asset in his cancer battle. John Deloney drew a direct parallel between aerial combat and his fight for health. “I treated fighting cancer just like I treated fighting a threat in the F-22,” Deloney explained. “My new mission this time wasn’t flying, it was fighting cancer and I wasn’t going to lose. Cancer was simply another threat that had to be eliminated.”
Navigating Treatment and Finding Hope in a Clinical Trial
Referred to Alaska Oncology and Hematology, John Deloney and his wife met with Dr. Liu to discuss treatment options. The initial discussions were daunting, covering potential outcomes, survival odds, and conventional treatments like chemotherapy and radiation. Seeking a second opinion and exploring treatment locations were immediate priorities.
Just as they were processing the initial diagnosis, Dr. Liu presented an unexpected opportunity: a clinical trial for precision immunotherapy. This trial had opened on the very day of Deloney’s diagnosis, and he appeared to be an ideal candidate. After careful consideration and a belief in divine guidance, John Deloney volunteered for the trial, potentially becoming the first person in the United States to receive this drug as a first-line treatment.
Qualifying for the trial involved meeting 39 specific inclusion criteria, which John Deloney successfully satisfied. His treatment began on February 1, 2022, involving weekly subcutaneous injections of the experimental drug for the first month, followed by treatments every three weeks. While the immunotherapy held immense promise, it also carried potential side effects, including cytokine release storm (CRS). John Deloney experienced CRS after his first two treatments, requiring hospitalization for monitoring and care at Providence Hospital. He praised the “outstanding doctors and nurses” who attended to him during this period. After the initial treatments, his body stabilized, and while he experienced joint aches and fatigue post-injection, the severe CRS subsided.
Cancer-Free and Back in the Cockpit
After six months of treatment, CT scans, PET scans, and a bone marrow biopsy confirmed the incredible news: John Deloney was cancer-free. He expressed profound gratitude to God, his family, friends, and squadron for their unwavering support throughout this challenging chapter.
After 358 days grounded, John Deloney received clearance to fly again on November 9, 2022, just in time for a formal retraining course. Having come to terms with the possibility of never flying again, the opportunity to return to the cockpit and conclude his flying career on his own terms was deeply meaningful. “I feel that my soul can rest, and I can look back on an amazing flying career, one which exceeded nearly all my expectations and one which I am very blessed to have experienced,” John Deloney shared.
Lt. Col. Patrick “Cletis” Pearson, 302nd Fighter Squadron commander, lauded John Deloney’s fighting spirit: “There aren’t many people I have seen fight as hard as he does for his country, his family and certainly for the hellions. We will never understand all the things that he has been through but that fight that he put up and that drive to succeed to end things on his terms, is why I think he is doing it right.”
A New Perspective
The final flight was a bittersweet moment, signaling the end of a significant chapter. John Deloney and his wife decided it was the right time to move forward to the next phase of their lives, expressing immense gratitude for the opportunity to have a fini flight.
Surviving cancer has profoundly impacted John Deloney’s perspective. “Surviving cancer has also helped me to re-prioritize things in my life and have a slightly different outlook on certain things I used to either value or not value,” he reflected. He noted that the experience positively strengthened his relationship with his wife and family, fostering deeper emotional closeness. He especially acknowledged his wife, who supported him throughout his flying career and cancer battle while serving in the Air Force Reserves and raising their children. “She was my rock throughout my battle with cancer.”
John Deloney also praised Alaska Oncology and Hematology, stating, “[They] are amazing and you feel like a person under their care, not like a patient. They kill cancer like an F-22 kills enemy aircraft…with ease, precision, and professionalism.” Lt. Col. John Deloney’s story is a testament to the power of resilience, the human spirit, and the unwavering support of loved ones in the face of adversity. His journey serves as an inspiration to anyone facing their own battles, reminding us that even in the darkest times, hope and determination can lead to triumphant final flights.
