Stringfellow Hawke

Stringfellow Hawke, portrayed by Jan-Michael Vincent, is a former US Army Captain and a highly skilled test and combat pilot, noted as being 34 years old in the fifth episode of the series. Haunted by his experiences in the Vietnam War and the disappearance of his brother, St. John Hawke, he lives a reclusive life in a remote cabin, accompanied by his Bluetick Coonhound, Tet. He possesses a priceless art collection and finds solace in playing his Stradivarius cello, often serenading eagles.

Hawke's central motivation throughout the series is the search for his brother, St. John, who was declared missing in action during the Vietnam War. After the advanced military helicopter, Airwolf, was stolen by its creator, Dr. Charles Henry Moffet, Hawke was recruited by "The Firm" (a covert division of the CIA) to recover it. With the help of his friend and father figure, Dominic Santini, Hawke successfully retrieved Airwolf.

However, instead of returning the helicopter, Hawke and Santini hid Airwolf in a secret location known as "the Lair," a large natural cave in the "Valley of the Gods." Hawke refused to return Airwolf until "The Firm" could locate and recover St. John. In a unique arrangement, "The Firm's" deputy director, Michael Coldsmith-Briggs III (codenamed Archangel), provides Hawke with protection and resources for Airwolf in exchange for Hawke flying missions of national importance for the agency. This dynamic establishes Hawke as a reluctant hero, using the formidable capabilities of Airwolf to combat various threats while maintaining his personal quest.

In the fourth season of the series, Stringfellow Hawke was severely injured in an explosion that killed Dominic Santini. His brother, St. John Hawke, was then revealed to be alive and took over as the central character and pilot of Airwolf.