The Jr. Iditarod is proud to introduce their 2026 honorary mushers, Bruce and Diana Moroney. A central and defining part of their lives has been their long-term involvement with both the Jr. Iditarod and Iditarod. They’ve supported the Iditarod community with their skills as bush pilots always willing to share their time, talents and ski equipped Cessna aircraft.
But their dedication extends beyond their role as Iditarod Air Force pilots. Over the years, they’ve offered support to young mushers through mentoring, encouragement and providing dogs and equipment. Thanks to the generosity of Bruce and Diana, aspiring teen mushers have realized their dreams of running the Jr. Iditarod and other youth races.
The Moroneys, have helped to support and preserve Alaska’s sled dog racing tradition. Their service as pilots and their willingness to share their knowledge of sled dogs and racing has impacted the Jr. Iditarod and Iditarod beyond measure.
Bruce began flying with the Iditarod Air Force in 1986. Today he continues to fly support for the Iditarod and Jr. Iditarod. As the IAF Flight Standards pilot, he is responsible for safe air transportation practices. Over his 40 years with the IAF, Bruce has flown countless hours depositing supplies, race officials, returned dogs and veterinarians up and down the trail. As Teacher on the Trail in 2006, Bruce dropped me at Skwentna for the first night of the race. Bruce has retired from his commercial career as a Captain flying Boeing 747’s for Atlas Air.
Diana began flying with the IAF in 1998 alternating years with running the Iditarod. She flies support for the two races and acts as load coordinator out of the McGrath logistics hub for Iditarod. A typical day for Diana might include multiple flights delivering personnel to checkpoints and then before the day is over flying drop bags, shelters, HEET, generators, essential supplies and communication equipment out to Iditarod checkpoint in advance of the teams arriving giving time for volunteers to set the checkpoint up. Diana continues to work as a commercial pilot, serving as a first officer on large jet aircraft.
Diana’s Iditarod racing career dates back to her rookie run in 1984. Over a 22 year period, she has nine finishes and one scratch with two finishes in the top twenty. Bruce’s rookie Iditarod run was in 1994. He earned his Iditarod finisher’s buckle then went on to race again in 2001.
Together they have logged a mammoth number of hours in ski equipped Cessna aircraft supporting the Jr. Iditarod and Iditarod. During their time flying with the IAF, they have played a vital role in making both Iditarod races possible. They’ve enjoyed an aerial view of Alaska’s vast winter wonderland from Anchorage to Nome and Iditarod to Ruby many times. They’ve flown over the Alaska Range, the snowless Farewell Burn, the Yukon River and Old Woman Cabin while in route from Kaltag to Unalakleet over the old portage trail. They’ve flown above ground blizzards along the coast, seen herds of muskox on the tundra and they’ve witnessed an incalculable number of dog teams moving along the trail. The payback for their hard work servicing the dogs and mushers comes from the spectacular scenery Alaska is known for and the intrinsic feeling of a job well done.
Bruce and Diana are dedicated volunteers, giving freely of their time and talents to support two of Alaska’s most iconic cultural events – the Jr. Iditarod and the Iditarod. The Jr. Iditarod Board of Directors wishes to thank them for giving of themselves to support the Jr. Iditarod and Iditarod mushers.
Resources: Jr. Iditarod Banquet Program and Faces of Iditarod compiled by Jeff Schultz
