The Spirit of America was christened September 5, 2002 during a ceremony in Akron, Ohio. The name of the ship was chosen as a tribute to the patriotic spirit of the United States. Performing the christening was Mrs. Letitia Driscoll, mother of NYPD Officer Stephen Driscoll, who was killed in the South Tower of the World Trade Center on Sept.11, 2001.

Four pilots direct operations of Goodyear’s California-based airship -- the Spirit of America -- Jon Conrad -Pilot-in-Charge, Matthew St. John - Asst. Pilot-in-charge, Senior pilots Martina Wegscheider and Kristen Davis.

In addition to the four pilots, the Spirit of America operation has a crew of 16 including aircraft mechanics, radio and television technicians, riggers, heavy-duty maintenance mechanics, ground handlers, and a public relations manager. Three support vehicles complement the Spirit of America’s operations, including an 18-wheel tractor-trailer mobile maintenance vehicle, a 22- person MCI bus, and a nine-passenger van.

The Spirit of America follows a line of California based Goodyear blimps (Columbia 1968-92 and Eagle 1992-2002) that have appeared in dozens of movies, including; Disney’s Herbie Goes to Monte Carlo, Condorman, and Flight of the Navigator. Other feature films are: Two Minute Warning, Black Sunday, The Junkman, Amazing Grace and Chuck, Oh God, Book Two , starring George Burns, Strange Days with Bruce Willis, the remake of Miracle on 34th Street and the original, Gone in 60 seconds. Television features included, ABC’s Generation, the Aaron Spelling Christmas special, The Three Kings, HBO’s 1st and Ten, Disney’s Wish Upon a Star, Who’s the Boss starring Tony Danza, Pacific Blue, the final episodes of Cheers and The Nanny, Ally McBeal and most recently, HBO’s Arli$$.

The Spirit of America is based in Carson, California between Long Beach and downtown Los Angeles.