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The "Sunliner" name comes from US Navy Strike Fighter Squadron VFA-81, the Sunliners. As a proud member of the Sunliners I flew the F/A-18 Hornet in combat during Desert Storm off of the aircraft carrier USS Saratoga. I learned the importance of dedication to the mission, focus on the task at hand, and a desire to get the job done right. Now as a business owner I have made efforts to bring these qualities into my automotive store, and I am very proud to use the Sunliner name. I hope you'll let us show you the customer service and professionalism of Sunliner Automotive..... or if nothing else, stop by and let's talk flying! |
| US Navy Commander Barry Hull, son of Dr. and Mrs. D.C. Hull, was born and raised in Spartanburg, South Carolina. He graduated from Spartanburg High School and then Clemson University with a B.S. in civil engineering in 1981, and a M.S. in civil engineering in 1984. In October 1984 Hull enrolled in the US Navy's Aviation Officer Candidate School in Pensacola, Florida. Hull graduated as a Distinguished Naval Graduate and was commissioned an Ensign in the Regular Navy in 1985. Immediately following AOCS Hull entered Naval Flight School. He received his Wings of Gold in the fighter jet community one and half years later. Hull's first assignment was an A-4 instructor in Meridian, Mississippi, and taught basic air combat maneuvering. Following that Hull was given orders to the Replacement Air Group in Jacksonville, Florida to fly the F/A-18 Hornet, and after initial training was assigned to the VFA-81 Sunliners onboard the USS Saratoga where he further honed his skills as a fighter pilot. Three days following the Iraqi invasion of Kuwait, Hull and the Sunliners sailed for the Middle East, and spent the next eight months in the Red Sea during Operation Desert Shield and Desert Storm. Hull flew on the first strike of Desert Storm, January 17, 1991 and launched HARM missiles into Baghdad. During that first strike one of Hull's squadron mates, LCDR Scott Speicher was shot down by a MIG-25 and initially presumed dead. Speicher's status has now been changed from KIA to MIA, and now POW. Speicher has now been promoted to Navy Captain. One F/A-18 Hornet, two A-6 Intruders, and one F-14 Tomcat from the USS Saratoga were shot down during Desert Storm. Hull flew over 100 hours of combat and received Air Medals with Valor and Navy Commendations with Valor for specific missions flown, along with various unit commendations, and has over 200 traps aboard the Saratoga. In 1992 Hull resigned his commission in the Regular Navy and accepted a commission in the Naval Reserves, and drilled at Dobbins Air Reserve Base in Atlanta, Georgia, until October, 2001. He is now the Commanding Officer of Carrier Augment Unit, CVNE 0695, in Columbus, Ohio. In 1992 Hull was hired by American Airlines, although two years later he was furloughed. During his furlough Hull opened two Texaco Xpress lubes, a Michelin Tire dealership, an automotive repair shop (Sunliner Automotive, named after his former Navy fighter squadron), convenience store, and car wash. He has also returned to full time flight status with American Airlines and flies the MD-80 based in Dallas, Texas. He is married to Beth Murphy from Raleigh, North Carolina. |
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