Airman reaches new height

Published July 5, 2011
By Master Sgt. Chance Babin
380th Air Expeditionary Wing public affairs

SOUTHWEST ASIA -- As the United States celebrated its Independence Day marking 235 years of freedom, an Airman in Southwest Asia also reached a milestone, while serving to protect the freedoms achieved in 1776.

Maj. Jon Williams, a mission crew commander, 963rd Expeditionary Airborne Air Control Squadron, on the E-3 Sentry Airborne Warning and Control System, or AWACS, reached 10,000 flying hours on the aircraft July 4 here--a feat that has only been achieved a handful of times since the aircraft became operational in the Air Force in 1977, just two years before he joined the Air Force.

"It's a milestone that is rarely attained, and it took me almost 30 years of flying to get here," Maj. Williams said.

In the history of AWACs the few who have reached the 10,000-hour mark have all been senior master sergeants or chiefs, he added.

"It's phenomenal," said Col. Jay Bickley, 380th Expeditionary Operations Group commander. "I'm an AWACS guy from way back; from a 20-year career I've got about 4,500 hours total, maybe about 3,000 in the AWACS, so to have 10,000 hours is just incredible."

The fact that he achieved this feat on the Fourth of July was not planned, but was somehow fitting, Col. Bickley said.

"That's one of those things you can't make up, to have it happen on the Fourth of July, a very special day, especially for a patriot like Jon Williams," Col. Bickley said. "He is a guy that's been at it, doesn't do it for the money or accolades; he just does it because he loves what he does and loves his country. It's amazing."

Although he has flown for nearly 30 years and more than 1,200 sorties, this is one flight that will be special the major said.

"The scheduling was just a coincidence," he said. "I wasn't even supposed to fly today. I flew with another crew to help them out. I'm a very patriotic person and anything I can do, especially on the Fourth of July, feels outstanding for me. It'll make it a Fourth of July I'll never forget."

Since the major flew with a different crew than usual, his regular team came out to greet him when the plane landed.

"It was really gratifying," he said. "Most of these people are members of my crew who weren't able to fly on this sortie with us. They came out here on their off day on a holiday just to see me land. I really appreciate that."

The major credits staying healthy and qualified in the plane as contributing factors to achieving this goal, which no other officer has achieved in this aircraft. He has also had the luxury of staying in longer than most, he said.

"I didn't have any breaks of service. I hit high year tenure, so I officially retired eight years ago. But, without any break, I stayed on active duty using the retired recall program," Maj. Williams said. "I've done that for eight years and I have another year to go."

He said he has the most hours flying the AWACS for an officer now, but his next goal is getting the most hours ever. Chief Master Sgt. Kevin Terrell finished his career with 10,193 hours.

Before the major returns to his home station at Tinker Air Force Base, Okla., he believes he will reach that goal.

"I should be able to break that in less than two months," Maj. Williams said, "right here."

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