Spencer Payne: Founder of the Brotallion Blue Skies Foundation
Spencer Payne is a Tennessee native, who began his military career in 2009 when he received an appointment to the United States Merchant Marine Academy. He graduated in 2013 with a degree in Marine Engineering and a commission—and went on to serve ten years as an Army Aviator and Black Hawk Pilot, including a deployment to Afghanistan.
In 2015, Spencer and two friends started Brotallion as a social media page sharing photos and videos of Army helicopters and aircrews. What began as a way to connect aviators across the community grew into a brand built around shared experience, pride, and culture in Army aviation.
Experiencing the Casualty Process Firsthand
His military career eventually brought him to the 7th Special Forces Group, a tight-knit community that, in August 2019, experienced the tragic loss of two Green Berets killed in action in Afghanistan.
“It was the first time I’d been part of the casualty process,” Spencer recalls. “One of the first calls we made in the ops cell was to the Green Beret Foundation. I had never even heard of them before. But I looked them up—and I was genuinely impressed by the work they were doing for the community.”
At the same time, a fellow soldier in his unit, who owned Red 7 Tees, designed a memorial shirt to honor the two Green Berets, donating all profits to their surviving spouses. That moment stuck with Spencer.
Just one month later on September 26, 2019, a UH-60 Black Hawk went down near Fort Polk, Louisiana. One of the aviators, MAJ Trevor Joseph, didn’t survive. “I talked to the other two guys at Brotallion,” Spencer says, “and said I wanted to do a memorial shirt for him and see if we could raise some money for his wife, Erin. The response was 10 times greater than we expected.”
The overwhelming response exposed a gap that had gone largely unaddressed; there was no nonprofit dedicated specifically to supporting the Gold Star families of conventional Army Aviators. While special operations communities had strong networks in place, conventional aviation families were often left without the same level of focused support.
Despite being told the military nonprofit space was saturated, Spencer and his partners moved forward. In 2020, they officially incorporated as the Brotallion Blue Skies Foundation, a mission built from experience and a fierce dedication to those left behind.
Filling the Gap for Gold Star Aviation Families
When an Army Aviation Class A mishap occurs, defined as a fatal aviation incident, the Blue Skies Foundation acts fast.
The foundation provides a $2,500 check or ACH transfer directly to the primary next of kin to help with urgent expenses. Simultaneously, the team launches a one-month memorial apparel campaign, with 100% of profits going to the families to help cover travel, lodging, or other needs.
But Blue Skies isn’t just focused on the immediate moment. Its work is organized into three core programs:
Gold Star Financial Support – Immediate relief paired with long-term fundraising.
Legacy Preservation – Honoring the fallen through unit memorial bracelets, custom brick-built airframe kits, and eventually, plaques and memorials.
Education Assistance – Through the Blue Skies Endowment Fund, helping children of fallen aircrew afford college or trade school.
Since launching, the foundation has supported 41 Gold Star families and delivered over $529,000 in direct financial assistance.
“We want people to know that this is more than just a nonprofit, it’s a commitment to never let the legacies of our fallen crewmembers fade, and to ensure their families are supported long after the news cycle moves on.”
On Resilience and Moving Forward
Spencer’s take on resilience is straightforward.
“I’m no expert on resiliency, but for me, it really comes down to consistency. Building solid habits—eating well, working out, getting enough sleep, and doing hard things”. It sounds simple, maybe even borning, but it builds the foundation and it works. He adds, “It’s not about being perfect, it’s about showing up, doing the work, and staying grounded through it all.”
Spencer now lives in Austin, Texas, with his wife Aley and their dog Blue, where he continues to lead Brotallion and the Blue Skies Foundation with the same purpose and consistency that have defined his path since day one.
How You Can Support
Spencer wants people to know that this is more than just a nonprofit, it’s a commitment to never let the legacies of our fallen crewmembers fade, and to ensure their families are supported long after. Every contribution, no matter how small, plays a role in lifting the burden for these families: Here are a few wyas you can get involved:
- Become a recurring donor – This steady support is one of the most impactful ways to help.
- Follow and share – Social media helps spread the word about fundraisers, events, and memorial campaigns.
- Spread the word – Share our mission with your network. The more people who know about the work we’re doing, the greater our impact can be.
You can support and learn more about the Brotallion Blue Skies Foundation by using the links below:
