1,000 COMBAT HOURS

SOUTHWEST ASIA -- Maj. Jon Watson, 737th Expeditionary Airlift Squadron Pilot, in the cockpit of a C-130E Hercules prior to departing for the mission that would take him over 1,000 combat hours on March 22, 2007. The 16-year Air Force veteran has flown missions all over the CENTAF Area of Responsibility. (AF photo/ Staff Sgt. Ian Carrier)

1,000 COMBAT HOURS

SOUTHWEST ASIA -- Maj. Jon Watson, a pilot with the 737th Expeditionary Airlift Squadron, tests his night vision goggles before departing on his 175th combat mission March 22, 2007. This mission will bring Major Watson over 1,000 combat hours in his career, a milestone for any pilot.

1,000 combat hours for 386th Airman

Published March 22, 2007
By Staff Sgt. Ian Carrier
386 AEW

SOUTHWEST ASIA -- Today a 386th Air Expeditionary Wing Airman hit a truly outstanding mark in the world of combat aviation.

Maj. Jon Watson, a pilot with the 737th Expeditionary Airlift Squadron, logged his 1,000th combat hour. The Sperryville, Va. native achieved this feat while flying troops and equipment into Iraq in a C-130E Hercules on March 22, 2007.

In December 2006, the 737 EAS began a program to honor pilots for completing their 100th combat mission.100 combat missions is a milestone that has been recognized and lauded since the Vietnam War. This morning, Maj. Watson departed for his 175th combat mission. He has spent, in hours, roughly 42 days flying in combat zones.

Maj. Watson flew his first combat missions in Bosnia in 1998. Since then he has flown all around the CENTAF Area of Responsibility. Turkey, Bahrain, Qatar, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, and of course Iraq and Afghanistan are only a few of the places he has flown in his 16 years in the Air Force.

Missions Maj. Watson has transported men, tires, trucks, K-loaders, distinguished visitors and remains of fallen servicemen.

"The cargo compartment of the C-130 is roughly the same size as a 40 ft tractor trailer. So, if it would fit in that trailer, I've probably carried it," said Maj. Watson.

The Major spent 5 months in Iraq training the Iraqi Air Force. During this time he went on his most memorable mission. In 2005, Maj. Watson sat in the instructor's seat of an Iraqi C-130E while an Iraqi student pilot flew the prime minister out of the country for the first time to visit another head of state since the overthrow of Saddam Hussein.

"This was another occasion when I was doing one of those things I never thought I'd be doing," said Maj. Watson.

"Major Watson flew as my co-pilot in his early days," said Lt. Col. Thomas Crimmins, 737 EAS Commander. "I've been able to watch him grow and learn and now teach. He's our most experienced instructor, taking experience he's gained and teaching much younger aircrews."

Col. Crimmins continued; "Experience is our greatest asset. No matter how much we train, there is no substitute for experience, and combat is the ultimate example of this."