Your neighbor may have landed jets on an aircraft carrier.

One of my favorite things about The Landings is that you never really know who you’re standing next to. The man ahead of you at the mailbox might have spent his career landing jets on a moving ship in the middle of the ocean.

That’s the idea behind the new Skidaway Speakers Series, “Extraordinary Lives Next Door,” from The Landings Association. Seven neighbors, seven evenings, each sharing something they know better than almost anyone.

First up: Captain Kent White

On Monday, November 2, Captain Kent White opens the series with “An Insider’s Look: Life Aboard a U.S. Aircraft Carrier.” He’s promising the everything-you-ever-wanted-to-know version: how the ship runs day to day, the not-so-luxurious bunks, meals and downtime on board, and what it’s really like to launch and land on a carrier, in peacetime and in combat. Bring your questions.

Who he is

Kent graduated with merit from the U.S. Naval Academy and was designated a Naval Aviator two years later. He served aboard aircraft carriers around the world, including in combat zones. His awards include two Meritorious Service Medals and the Air Medal with Combat “V,” the V standing for valor in combat.

After active duty, he flew for Delta for more than 35 years while serving more than 20 years in the Naval Reserve, where he was Commanding Officer of attack squadron VA-205 and of the Naval Reserve Battle Group.

The numbers are hard to beat: 3,500 hours in Navy aircraft and 17,000 in civilian ones, from the A-6E, A-7E and F/A-18 to Delta’s 727, L-1011, MD-88, 737 and 757/767.

Mark the first Monday

Every talk is at 6:30 p.m. in the TLA Community Room, and every one is free.

2026: November 2 · December 7
2027: January 4 · February 1 · March 1 · April 5 · May 3

RSVP: amyzabin@gmail.com, as listed in The Landings Association’s announcement.

This is the kind of thing that makes The Landings feel like a neighborhood, not just a place to live. Hope to see you there.

Questions people ask

Sources