PERRYSBURG- For 25 years, Becky Ohm soared through the skies with the Air National Guard, piloting F-16 fighter jets. Today, her flight path has taken a new direction, landing her behind the counter of The Flying Joe, a coffee shop located in Perrysburg that is known for its handcrafted drinks, homemade pastries and welcoming environment.
“I was in the Air Force, and I was an Air National Guard,” Ohm said. “I served at the 180th Fighter Wing… I started as a crew chief, so I was a mechanic on the F-16, and then I got selected for pilot training, so I went on to be an F-16 pilot instructor.”
Her military career began in 1993 and included several overseas deployments, for Operation Provide Comfort and Operation Iraqi Freedom. During Ohm’s time in the military, she found it to be very rewarding.
“There were just so many parts of it but just being able to serve my country and feeling like I was doing some good,” Ohm said. “It’s always good to know that in the military the civilians and the people you protect are so thankful.”
Her military journey began with a spark in high school. “When I was a junior in high school, I was talking to some of my friends, and then they had an Air Force Academy recruiter come in,” Ohm recalled. “I knew I wanted to fly at that point.” That passion led her to Bowling Green State University, where she discovered the Air National Guard and began her military journey while still in college.
When joining the Air National Guard, Ohm became the first ever female fighter pilot in Toledo. “Being the first of anything is difficult, and no one knows what to expect,” Ohm said. “I just remember going into that situation and just trying to be myself and not expecting any favors or any different treatment; and I feel like just having that sort of attitude was able to get me to the point where I became just one of the guys.”
Transitioning out of the military, Ohm didn’t slow down. With her husband, also a pilot, she turned her energy toward a dream that was inspired by a small café they frequented while stationed in Oklahoma.
“We always wanted to serve the community and be involved,” Ohm said. “When we finally got back to Perrysburg, we remembered that time in Oklahoma that we talked about possibly opening a coffee shop, and we talked about it for a little bit and did our research. We thought that would be a cool way to be involved with the community.”
That dream became The Flying Joe, which first opened its doors in January 2007. What started as a cozy café has since grown into a vibrant gathering spot offering espresso-based drinks, fresh pastries, and a variety of breakfast food items.
“All our breads are locally made, and we have Sur Le Pouce. They’re a French bakery in Perrysburg. They make our breads for our breakfast sandwiches,” Ohm said. “Our sweet potato hash is made from scratch, and we make cheese quiche; as far as our food items, it’s the number one sought after.”
Over the years, the business has grown to include seasonal menus, cold pressed juices, cocktails, and an event space for gatherings, birthdays, and community events. The Flying Joe also withstood challenges like the 2014 Lake Erie water crisis and the COVID-19 pandemic.
“I remember thinking the business was going to fail,” Ohm said. “I remember the first day they dropped that injunction where people could now sit inside and all those customers that would come to us everyday, and they walked in that day, I think we all started crying of happiness.”
Being a veteran-owned business, Ohm finds joy in the recognition that comes with that title. “I’m very proud to be a veteran-owned business,” she said. “I think when people find that out, they are like, ‘Oh I want to support that business even more now.’”
Looking ahead, Ohm hopes The Flying Joe continues to have a strong future in the community. “I just hope that if my kids take it over, or we sell it, or whatever ends up happening, that it continues to have a great name where people know they can come in here and have a really nice environment and really quality service and know that we support our community,” Ohm said.
From fighter jets to fresh pastries, Becky Ohm’s dedication to service remains the core of her mission and stands as a reminder that service doesn’t always end with a uniform.
