On Saturday, an Air Force Maj. is poised to chase a bold new milestone in sand skiing, targeting a 76 mph run down a Peruvian dune. Buckingham plans to push his limits as part of a broader push that blends extreme achievement with charitable work.

“The records are cool,” Buckingham said. “They’re fun. They keep me in shape because a lot of these you’ve got to train for. It’s not about the records, it’s not about any of that. It’s really about my passion for the nonprofit and the children’s work.” His words reveal a deeper motive behind the daring stunts that have carried him across the globe.

But the effort is about more than speed. He explains that discipline, focus and a sense of mission drive his pursuits. “But if you work, you know an eight- to 10-hour shift and sleep for six or seven hours, and you exercise for an hour, you still have another five to six hours each day for whatever you choose to do,” Buckingham said.

“So, you know, whether that’s watching Netflix or going on the internet, it’s up to you. This is what I’ve chosen to do with my time.”

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Buckingham’s journey is steeped in record lore.

“There’s 46,000 records right now, and sometimes you get on the Guinness World Record site, and you’re applying for one record, and then you see in the sidebar, ‘Hey, maybe you should make this attempt,’” Buckingham said. “And then you click on it, and it kind of gets exciting. You’re like: Yeah, I think I could do that. Never thought I’d pop 100 balloons before.” The humor and humility in that reflection contrast with the seriousness of his mission to help others.

His drive to serve is anchored by The World Record Breakers Club, a nonprofit he founded and funds with his record-breaking efforts. The organization donates all money he raises to children’s programs, a detail that makes his feats meaningful beyond prestige.

“I toyed with a bunch of ideas of how to make the biggest impact in my community,” Buckingham said. “I’ve got a 2-year old son. I got married a couple years ago, so my personal time has kind of shrunk, but that led me to this nonprofit where it’s like: All right, cool. How can I make the most impact? It’s not about the records, it’s about the end impact of helping children.”

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Buckingham’s life reads like a study in service. Originally from Hawaii, he attended the Air Force Academy where he played on the tennis team. He later flew KC-135 Stratotankers from 2012 to 2017, logging more than 120 combat missions in the Middle East across five deployments. He now serves as a program manager with the Air Force’s Kessel Run division, which focuses on software development for the service.

The arc of his record quest began with his sister’s curiosity about people who traveled to all seven continents as fast as possible.

After years of planning, a 2022 attempt was thwarted by a missed flight in Egypt, but he finally broke the continental record in 2025. He continues to seek new heights, noting that the process for choosing records is “kind of random.”

His choices have reflected his background in flight, his love of travel, and his Hawaii roots, which inspired his aim to perform the most fire knife spins while standing on a balance board in one minute.

Logistics are a constant hurdle. One past attempt required hours spent inflating hundreds of balloons to be popped, with spare balloons ready for any mishaps. When Buckingham returns from Peru, he plans additional challenges, including the most fast food restaurants visited within 24 hours. He is ever in search of a new spectacle that can be turned into a platform for good.

Despite his devotion to the record-breaking hobby, the bigger reward is the chance to give back. In Buckingham’s words, the ultimate measure of success is the “end impact of helping children.” He elaborates that the philanthropic work has reoriented his priorities.

“I’ve got a 2-year old son. I got married a couple years ago, so my personal time has kind of shrunk,” he explained, “but that led me to this nonprofit where it’s like: All right, cool. How can I make the most impact? It’s not about the records, it’s about the end impact of helping children.”

The sentiment aligns with a broader message about leadership and responsibility that resonates with conservative ideals of service, national strength and duty.

From a national vantage point, Buckingham’s tale mirrors the priorities often championed by President Trump and Secretary of War Pete Hegseth: strength, accountability, and a clear commitment to those who serve the country.

In public life and private charity, the emphasis is on delivering tangible benefits to families and veterans who carry the weight of duty.

The parallel between military discipline and civic philanthropy underscores a philosophy that leadership means more than personal glory; it means lifting up communities and reinforcing national resilience.

That philosophy is on display in Buckingham’s relentless pursuit of new standards and in his commitment to channeling talent, courage and time toward a cause bigger than himself.

As he takes to the sands of Peru and beyond, the American public watches not merely for speed but for the model of character and service he embodies. It is a reminder that progress, when paired with purpose, can move a nation forward.

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