Pilot hits milestone, reaches 2,000 flight hours

Lt. Col. Vince O’Connor surpassed the 2,000-hour mark for flying May 19, 2017. Every 1,000 hours of flying is a huge milestone for an aviator’s career. O’Connor, who is the commander of the 555th Expeditionary Fighter Squadron, has flown all over the world to include Afghanistan, Europe and Pacific region. O’Connor is deployed out of Aviano Air Base, Italy. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Benjamin Gonsier)

Photo Details / Download Hi-Res
Pilot hits milestone, reaches 2,000 flight hours

An F-16 Fighting Falcon, piloted by Lt. Col. Vince O’Connor, the commander of the 555th Expeditionary Fighter Squadron, lands at Bagram Airfield, Afghanistan, May 19, 2017. Over his career, O’Connor has accumulated more than 2,000 flying hours, which amounts to 2.5 months of flying. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Benjamin Gonsier)

Photo Details / Download Hi-Res
Pilot hits milestone, reaches 2,000 flight hours

F-16 Fighting Falcons taxi off the runway at Bagram Airfield, Afghanistan, May 19, 2017. F-16s from the 555th Expeditionary Fighter Squadron are deployed out of Aviano Air Base, Italy, as part of a constant rotation of fighter aircraft to Afghanistan. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Benjamin Gonsier)

Photo Details / Download Hi-Res
Pilot hits milestone, reaches 2,000 flight hours

Lt. Col. Vince O’Connor, the commander of the 555th Expeditionary Fighter Squadron, throws up the “Triple Nickel” sign after landing on Bagram Airfield, Afghanistan, May 19, 2017. O’Connor, who recently surpassed 2,000 career flying hours, has flown all over the world to include Afghanistan, Europe and Pacific region. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Benjamin Gonsier)

Photo Details / Download Hi-Res
Pilot hits milestone, reaches 2,000 flight hours

Lt. Col. Vince O’Connor, the commander of the 555th Expeditionary Fighter Squadron, waits inside an F-16 Fighting Falcon after landing on Bagram Airfield, Afghanistan, May 19, 2017. Over his career, O’Connor has accumulated more than 2,000 flying hours, which amounts to 2.5 months of flying. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Benjamin Gonsier)

Photo Details / Download Hi-Res
Pilot hits milestone, reaches 2,000 flight hours

First Lt. Eric Tise, an F-16 Fighting Falcon pilot from the 555th Expeditionary Fighter Squadron, places a patch on Lt. Col. Vince O’Connor’s uniform at Bagram Airfield, Afghanistan, May 19, 2017. The patch was made to commemorate O’Connor surpassing the 2,000-hour mark for flying. O’Connor is the commander of the 555th EFS, which is deployed out of Aviano Air Base, Italy. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Benjamin Gonsier)

Photo Details / Download Hi-Res
Pilot hits milestone, reaches 2,000 flight hours

Lt. Col. Vince O’Connor, the commander of the 555th Expeditionary Fighter Squadron, holds the American flag with members of the 555th EFS at Bagram Airfield, Afghanistan, May 19, 2017, after surpassing 2,000 career flight hours. O’Connor has flown all over the world to include Afghanistan, Europe and Pacific region. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Benjamin Gonsier)

Photo Details / Download Hi-Res

Pilot hits milestone, reaches 2,000 flight hours

Published May 22, 2017
By Staff Sgt. Benjamin Gonsier
455th Air Expeditionary Wing Public Affairs

Lt. Col. Vince O’Connor surpassed the 2,000-hour mark for flying May 19, 2017. O'Connor is deployed out of Aviano Air Base, Italy, and is currently delivering airpower in support of operations within the Central Command area-of-responsibility.