Airman tops off at 8,000 hour milestone

A B-1B Lancer assigned to the 37th Expeditionary Bomb Squadron approaches a KC-135 Stratotanker, assigned to the 340th Expeditionary Air Refueling Squadron both from Al Udeid Air Base, Qatar, fly in support of Operation Enduring Freedom, July 17, 2014. The B-1B Lancer is a four-engine supersonic variable-sweep wing, jet-powered strategic bomber used by the United States Air Force. It was first envisioned in the 1960s as a supersonic bomber with Mach 2 speed. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Colin Cates)

Airman tops off at 8,000 hour milestone

U.S. Air Force Senior Master Sgt. Floyd W. Atkins, 340th Expeditionary Air Refueling Squadron boom operator, performs preflight checklists at Al Udeid Air Base, Qatar, July 17, 2014. The pilots and boom operator all run through pre-flight checks to ensure all systems are operating properly and the aircraft is mission ready prior to takeoff. Atkins’s reached his 8,000th refueling hour during the mission. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Colin Cates)

Airman topsoff at 8,000 hour milestone

Airman tops off 8,000th hour career milestone

Published July 24, 2014
By Senior Airman Colin Cates
379th Air Expeditionary Wing Public Affairs

AL UDEID AIR BASE, Qatar -- In life reaching a milestone is a monumental event, whether it is the accomplishment of earning a degree, the excitement of receiving a driving license or persevering through that first marathon. All these events have lifelong effects that will hold value for years to come.

For U.S. Air Force Senior Master Sgt. Floyd W. Atkins, 340th Expeditionary Air Refueling Squadron boom operator, one such milestone was reaching 8,000 refueling hours in his career, which is a rare feat for a boom operator to reach.

"The milestone signifies the love for what I do," said Atkins. "Reaching the 8,000 hours means I have been blessed to maintain good health. Good enough to remain on flying status for 28 plus years."

"My hope is that I can reach the 8765 hour mark, which would equal one full year of flying time," said Atkins. I think I will have to get a patch that says 1-50 since I will probably be fifty when I reach that mark."

A milestone such as this doesn't come about out of nowhere, and Atkins had to start somewhere, just like every other boom operator.

"The feeling as a young boom operator was one of amazement," said Atkins. "I couldn't believe the Air Force was letting me do this for a living. One of my first missions was refueling the Thunderbird just after arriving at my first duty station. It's got to be the greatest job ever!"

Atkins now has the privilege of seeing the new faces in the boom operator career field and relive some of the same feelings he had as a young boom.

"Being a boom is special, no two days are the same, and again it's a rush of excitement at times. Now it's fun to watch a brand new boom refuel and get excited, and see that same look on their face, that I had over twenty years ago."

"Looking back I never gave much thought as to how many hours I had, to me I was just doing what I enjoyed and never worried about the hours," said Atkins. "Only recently has it become interesting as people are amazed by the number of hours I have logged."

Along with racking thousands of hours in the sky, Atkins has earned a degree and spends time with his wife and two children.

"In my free time I enjoy spending time with my family," said Atkins. "We are huge Tennessee Volunteers fans and I love watching football. We all love to travel, as well. So when not traveling with work I am often traveling with the family."

Atkins, a Knoxville Tennessee native, works close by at the 151st Air Refueling Squadron which is a part of the 134th Air Refueling Wing located at McGhee Tyson Air National Guard Base, Tennessee.

"As far back as I can remember I've wanted to fly and travel," said Atkins. "This career has been perfect for that, but, it is the friends, experiences, and the variety that keeps me doing this year after year."

Atkins has been able to see the world and enjoy experiences that transcend any amount of hours which he accomplished on his journey to topping off 8,000 flight hours.

"As I reflect back, the Air force and Air National Guard have given me everything they promised and more," said Atkins. "I've covered a lot of ground in those 8,000 hours. "