email:  QM@vfw12163.org

After graduating from Auburn, Steve worked as Hotel Manager for The Ritz-Carlton, Atlanta.  As a Lifetime Member of the Auburn Alumni Association, Steve was active in promoting Auburn's hospitality programs within the hotel and The Ritz-Carlton Hotel corporate offices.  As a result, he established the hotel's International College Internship Program in 1999, and continued to be actively involved in college recruiting.  For his leadership and service, Steve was recognized as a three-time Ritz-Carlton Employee 5-Star winner.

With a passion for flying and earning his Pilot's License at the age of 16, Steve enlisted in the USAF in Apr 2001, and then commissioned as a Second Lieutenant in Sep 2001.  He then went onto flight training at Randolph Air Force Base (AFB), TX earning his wings in Aug 2002.  Upon completion of Mission Qualification Rescue training at Kirtland AFB, NM in Oct 2003, Steve was assigned to the 39th Rescue Squadron, 920th Rescue Wing at Patrick AFB, FL.  He would serve on many deployments flying over 30 combat and combat support sorties in support of Operation Enduring Freedom, Combined Joint Task Force - Horn of Africa and numerous exercises/missions in the Middle East, Africa, Central & South America, Europe and Pacific theaters.

In the US Gulf Coast, Major Sartain flew numerous rescue missions supporting humanitarian efforts during the aftermaths of hurricanes Katrina, Rita, & Ike earning 3 Humanitarian Medals and contributing to over 1,100 rescues over the disaster-stricken cities of New Orleans, LA and Galveston, TX.  He also served as Airboss for Joint Task Force - Space Transportation System on 17 separate Space Shuttle missions, directly responsible as Airborne Commander for any possible NASA launch contingencies of Space Shuttles Atlantis, Discovery & Endeavour.  He has flown on King1 & King2, the primary search and rescue aircraft, accountable for coordinating personnel SAR operations while commanding USAF, USMC, USN, USCG, NASA, and civilian assets and personnel.

In Jun 2011, Steve changed duty station to the 713th Combat Operations Squadron at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, HI serving as Air Operations Officer (A3).  He was subsequently honorably discharged from the USAF in Jan 2015.

Steve holds both CASA Commercial Pilot & FAA Airline Transport Pilot Licenses, and currently serves as Manager of the Emergency Rescue Helicopter Service for Western Australia’s SAR and emergency medical helicopters.  He also serves as a Board Member for Ashdale College, past Chaplain of Lodge Kilwinning (849 SC) of the West Australian Scottish Freemasons, and current Vice Chairman of the Board for Complex Trauma of Western Australia.