Lifestyle

Saydulla Madaminov – Life of a veteran

Published

3 years ago

September 15, 2022

The 4th Commander of Uzbekistan Air and Air Defence Forces, a 3rd, 2nd, 1st class of military pilot with a ‘Pilot Sniper’ badge, a squadron leader, serving as the Commander of the 735th Aviation Regiment, or doing international visits as Commander of the Uzbek Air Force to Turkey, US, Russia, UK, and Italy, Colonel Madaminov has it all have the title of a veteran. He has experienced the scent of what the Air Force Mission truly circumscribes.

Saydulla Abdukuddusovich Madaminov is a retired colonel of Uzbekistan who also served as the 4^th commander of Uzbekistan Air and Air Defence Forces from 2001 to 2003.

Born to be in the Air Force

Saydullah Madaminov was born in 1957, in Osh, Kirghiz SSR. His career, life, and battles have set a list of achievements and have made him an inspirational role model for generations to come in the Air Force.

He received his education from Yeisk Higher Military Aviation Institute (EVVAUL) from 1974 to 1978. He was sent to the Transbaikal Military District upon graduation, where he joined the 23rd Air Army, first at Step and then at Dzhida in 1980. In 1982, he was promoted to flight commander. In 1983, he got transferred to Brand Airbase in East Germany to join the GSFG. By 1987, he rose to become a squadron leader.

Undeniable contributions

Saydullah earned an additional military degree from the Gagarin Air Force Academy in Monino from 1988 to mid-1991. After successfully acquiring his second tertiary degree. Saydullah, as a powerful force, didn’t stop there; there was still more to come for him. He then continued his Soviet Military Service at the Turkestan Military District. Then came the summer of 1991, when he arrived at the Khanabad Air Base and became the Chief of staff and the First Deputy to the Commander of the 735th Aviation Regiment. After the collapse of the USSR, by 1993, the Soviet Military Authority went downhill in Uzbekistan, ultimately leading to the appointment of Saydullah as the Commander of the 735^th aviation regiment, which in August of 1995 was re-named the 60^th Aviation Regiment of the then newly formed Uzbek Air Defence Forces. The freshly established Uzbek military was re-arranged. Khanabad Air Base became the most extensive air force base in the country.

Cementing the legacy

The mid-90s saw the emergence of the Tajik Civil War, which embroiled the Uzbek Air Force; Colonel Madaminov successfully carried out over 120 sorties targeting the Islamic extremist. Then in the late 90s, he participated in military operations, successfully neutralizing the IMU fighters who had taken over some mountainous areas in the northern Surxondaryo and launched an incursion into the Batken and Osh regions of Kyrgyzstan.

In March 1999, the Ministry of Defense transferred Saydulla to the capital Tashkent, where he was promoted to the Deputy Commander of the Uzbek Air and Air Defence Forces. In October 2001, by decree of President Islam Karimov, Colonel Madaminov was appointed the Commander of the Uzbekistan Air and Air Defence Forces. He executed that role until late 2003. After that, his journey as a senior military advisor and inspector for the Ministry of Defense of Uzbekistan began. Saydullah retired from the Military in August 2007.

Colonel Saydulla had received Medal “For Distinction in Military Service” and “Jasorat.” He received the “Shon-Sharaf Order,” or The Order of Glory, for his devotion and courage in defending the country and strengthening Uzbekistan’s defense and national security.

Throughout his career, he has mastered aircraft including L-29, L-39, MiG-15, MiG-17, MiG-23, Su-7, Su-17, Su-24, An-26, and Yak-42. He has taken 10,274 flights and spent total flight hours of 4072 during military service and 770 in commercial aviation.

Legacy Continues

After retiring from the military, Saydulla turned to civil aviation. He worked as a Yak 42 Captain for Tulpar Air from 2011 and 2013. Initially, he was located in Kazan but later relocated to Vnukovo Airport in Moscow. Before fully retiring from all aviation work and moving back to Uzbekistan, Saydullah became the Deputy Head of Gosaviandzor for the North Caucasian Federal District in 2014. He worked from the Mineralnye Vody Airport and held that position until late 2021.

Lifestyle

Derik Fay: The Quiet Power Broker Who Scales Empires and Empowers Generations

Published

4 hours ago

September 14, 2025

Michelle Langton

At 46 years old and standing at an impressive 6’1″, Derik Fay is more than an entrepreneur—he is the architect behind a network of thriving businesses and a digital mentor for thousands. His journey from a single neighborhood gym in Florida to holding stakes in over 40 companies spans decades of strategic vision, discipline, and authenticity.

From Modest Beginnings to a Marketplace Maven

Born on November 19, 1978, in Westerly, Rhode Island, Fay’s early environment offered little in the way of nepotism or crutches—but plenty of lessons. He dropped out of college after just one semester and embraced the grind. At just 22, with lean resources and fierce determination, he launched his first gym. That venture would eventually grow into Florida’s most successful independently owned fitness chain before being acquired by a publicly traded company.

This early win became the foundation for 3F Management, the private equity firm Fay launched post-exit. Today, 3F powers brands across sectors—from fintech and residential infrastructure to combat sports, entertainment, and beauty—each elevated through Fay’s hands-on approach to ownership and operational excellence.

Visibility as Strategic Leverage

Fay’s ascent into public consciousness was not staged. He built his online presence—now over 1.4 million followers strong—through honest, unfiltered takes on business, failure, leadership, and growth. His content resonates because it isn’t rehearsed; it’s earned. Followers tune in not for spectacle but for insight, often quoting “He doesn’t just invest—he builds your belief,” reflecting Fay’s authentic support.

Building Brands, Restoring Hope

Among his notable ventures is Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship (BKFC)—a testament to his willingness to enter unorthodox sectors with strategic clarity. In other less obvious arenas, Fay reinvigorated a faltering beauty company by pairing it with Hollywood cachet and narrative-driven marketing. In another case, an AI startup saw its valuation ascend tenfold in under a year after Fay contributed not only capital but also storytelling structure and vision.

Estimated Net Worth & Long-Term Vision

Although Fay maintains a discrete public profile, credible industry estimates place his net worth somewhere between $100 million and $250 million. This valuation comes from his diverse equity stakes, successful exits, real estate investments, and his firm’s consistent growth and reinvestment cycle.

Personal Life Anchored in Legacy

Off-screen, Fay is a devoted partner to Shandra Phillips (since 2021) and a hands-on father to two daughters: Sophia Elena Fay and Isabella Roslyn Fay. He’s more than a mogul—he’s a mentor. An embodiment of “If I can do it, anyone can,” his presence in DMs or quick coaching call is not rare, but intentional.

Rerouting the Model of Modern Wealth

Unlike today’s entrepreneurs who prioritize visibility and virality, Fay applies visibility as a lever—not an objective. He quietly scales, confident that his systems and culture will outlive the trends. He mentors, not performatively, but tangibly. For him, success isn’t a moment—it’s a long-term ecosystem amplified through structure, not spotlight.